Small Business, Big Heart: bringing communities together
February 26, 2019
From Gulf War Chef to Multi Entrepreneur
March 12, 2019
Today, on International Women’s Day, X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) is recognising and congratulating its female entrepreneurs.
Of the 1363 beneficiaries that XFE has supported, 29% are female. Given that women make up just 14% of personnel in the Armed Forces, XFE has a gender ratio to be proud of.
XFE CEO, Ren Kapur MBE, said:
“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate all the women in our network, both those that are starting up in business and those women that are supporting their family members into business.
“We acknowledge the women in the military community that are pushing the boundaries, contributing to the economy and creating jobs around the UK.
“As the largest enterprise supporting the military into business it’s important for XFE to continue lead the way and nurture our female beneficiaries and to create opportunities where women feel empowered to realise their dreams in business.
“At XFE we recognise that women in the military community are needed to provide knowledge and mentorship to other women because when we encourage and empower each other, it can result in amazing things.”
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights.
. . . .
To celebrate International Women’s Day, X-Forces Enterprise showcases just some of the female beneficiaries that the organisation has helped on their journey into business:
Suzy Olivier
Mama + Belle | Mothers of Enterprise
In just four short years, Suzy has built two very different, but equally as promising, businesses, notwithstanding four house-moves and the arrival of two children. Mama + Belle teething jewellery has won multiple industry awards and is sold online and through retailers including John Lewis. Suzy started the Mothers of Enterprise network in May 2018 with the aim to empower, inspire and educate mums into building and growing a thriving business whilst raising a family.
Karen Tracey
Following a career in the WRAF where she saw active service in 1990, Karen spent 20 years in the corporate world within Learning and Development. Her work saw her driving many leadership change programmes, demanding the effective development and engagement of people.
In her business, Dunelm, Karen offers diverse coaching and leadership training and development helping business owners, CEOs, MDs and senior Executives focusing on their strategic leadership development.
Hannah Saunders
Hannah Saunders left the RAF in 2017, after nine years of service, to concentrate on building the business idea that came to her when her young son got chapped lips. Following intensive research and development, Toddle started mass production in 2018 for its unique hand sanitisers, lip balms and other products designed to attach to pram handles and baby change bags. Hannah won £50k investment at ‘Pitch It Wales’ in November 2018.
Olivia Smith
Olivia & Pearl is an accessible, luxury pearl jewellery brand and online retailer, launched in autumn 2017. Olivia Smith aims to provide collectable, classic and contemporary pearl jewellery, designed for a new generation of pearl lovers. Her contemporary take on pearls are high quality and sourced ethically while remaining affordable. With the global pearl market estimated to reach £10.7bn by 2020, Olivia is keen to gain a slice of the market and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Monica Vinader and Pandora in creating an International brand.
Ahead of @womensday tomorrow, our CEO @renkapur has shared a message celebrating the female Service Leavers, Veterans, Spouses and Widows leading the way with sustainable businesses from the #ArmedForcesCommunity #IWD19 #XFSuccess pic.twitter.com/Aig6nx1Oi6
— X-Forces Enterprise (@OfficialXForces) March 7, 2019
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