Start-up support for female entrepreneurs

Taking the first step is easy if you have done as much planning and as much market research as possible.

It's useful to write down where you are now, where you want to be in a year and the steps you need to take to get there. This should be as detailed as possible and will help you take a logical and systematic approach to getting started in business. The following guidance should help you:

• ten steps to a successful start-up
• write a business plan: step-by-step
• step-by-step guide to starting a business
• choose the right finance when starting up

The next step is to identify and contact the organisations that can offer you advice and support.

The business support organisations will be eager to sit down with you and help you work out what you need to do to get your business up and running. They will help you with:

• training
• sourcing finance
• mentoring
• ongoing business advice
• specialist technical advice
• finding premises
• legal issues

There is a comprehensive network of support in Northern Ireland and specific initiatives aimed at helping more people get started in business. See: 

• business support in Northern Ireland
• support for women in business
• Northern Ireland business support finder

Invest NI also provide support for local businesses.

Women in Business (WIB) also offers a variety of workshops and programmes specifically for women. Find out about upcoming WIB events and programmes.