Female entrepreneurs come together to write book to help women in business

13 businesswomen from different industries came together to co-author The Female Edge, a new book that was launched to help other female entrepreneurs by giving advice and guidance from experienced people.

The idea came from entrepreneur Annelies James, from Fareham, who was inspired by the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship - a review about the barriers faced by women starting and growing businesses, which sparked a government response that hopes to see the number of female entrepreneurs increase by half by 2030.

Annelies wanted to produce a more accessible version of this with advice from women from different business backgrounds that could help women who are thinking of becoming self-employed.

She said: ‘When I found out about the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship and all the consequential work that was being put in place to support female entrepreneurship across the region, I was enthused. I am a massive advocate of any initiative that supports businesses to thrive, especially when the government leads. The co- authored book idea just came to me a few weeks later and I wondered how we could continue to share and extend the reach of the review in a way that shared female entrepreneurs’ personal journeys. The book was born and when seeking co-authors, I was encouraged by so many women willing to share and give back.’

The book is made up of articles written by the 13 entrepreneurs, including advice on diversity inclusion, being a mumpreneur and mindset strategies.

Joanne Lockwood, Founder and CEO at SEE Change Happen said: ‘I know that there are so many amazing women building businesses and changing the world. I can’t think of a better way to amplify and showcase female achievement for International Women’s Day.’

The project is not for profit and purely altruistic, any money raised will go to support Women’s Resource Centre which supports all women’s charities in the UK, from domestic violence to period poverty to empowering women in their lives.

Although it is mainly aimed at women, the book aims to provide guidance for any entrepreneurs.