The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce ran 22in22 Women in Business Mentoring Programme for 12 months from March 2022 following a successful 21in21 the previous year.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 22in22 VIDEO CASE STUDY
It paired successful business leaders with mentees who were looking to grow their own business or to rise up the career ladder in their chosen field.
Abbie Brooks, who runs her own Warwickshire-based Aurora Beauty salon, was paired with Kate Hunter, who runs Bear Cleaning and Waste Management.
Abbie said: “I applied to be a mentee because I am so passionate about my business becoming successful but I have no experience in running a business. Learning first-hand from someone who has learnt on a practical and real world level just seemed like invaluable knowledge that I couldn’t pass up.
“I have loved being mentored by Kate. We discussed so many things and we have shared in each other’s ups and downs of business. We mainly covered financial topics and how to analyse business figures.
“The impact has been great, I now review my figures every week and more in depth monthly but instead of just writing them down, I actually understand them. Kate has given me the tools to see what good weeks look like and what bad weeks look like. I have now been able to create a working week that is almost at capacity my business is going from strength to strength.”
Kate said: “I really welcomed the opportunity to share my experience of being in business with another woman at the start of her business journey. It can be a daunting and overwhelming time, so I hoped I might be able to help and support in some small way.
“It has been great working with Abbie. She has all the skills to deliver a great service to her customers but it was a case of looking at some of the practicalities of being in business and some of the challenges they bring.
“We went through profit and loss and what it takes for the business to break even, which is vital.
“So many women helped along my business journey, I would not be where I am without the support, guidance and encouragement of these women and I really appreciated the opportunity to pay it forward.
“I think there are still many barriers out there for women in business and the more we can help one another, the better.”
#IWD2023 #EmbraceEquity
Pictured: (left) Keely Hancox, Head of Operations at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, with Kate Hunter, Managing Director of Bear Cleaning & Waste Management
