Now, we know that we do our jobs well. Each and every day we
are a team of people who one simple mission in mind – To improve the lives of the
women that we meet. But as you know, sometimes daily life gets on top of us all
and that’s why it’s so amazing to be reminded of why we do the work that we do!
Anne Pennington was just the woman for this and we couldn’t be more delighted
to have helped her realise her dreams of self-employment!
Anne Pennington has one of those business that we hear about
and think; ‘Now that sounds interesting!’
Anne is an award-winning researcher and leader in the use of insights in
the public sector; she works with clients from across many different sectors
from their first idea through their planning, design and implementation all the
way to evaluation. And since launching her business has worked on an incredible
variety of different projects including; a campaign to raise awareness of
domestic abuse, a campaign to improve breastfeeding and even the massively
influential campaign This Girl Can.
Prior to setting up her business Anne was a Principal
Insight Analyst with Public Health Knowsley for 10 years and before that worked
for National Museums Liverpool for 17 years as a Research Officer. She told us;
‘I had always been interested in working
for myself but I’d never had the courage to make the leap from employment to
self-employment. But when I took redundancy in December 2015 it was the perfect
opportunity to have a go on my own. I was ready for a new challenge!’
The promise of a few contracts gave Anne the confidence to
dive into self-employment, but not before she did some research to find out
what organisations could help her. Going online she found out about The Women’s
Organisation through Sefton Council’s website and got her first appointment
booked in. Anne then began working with Business Adviser; Jo Mountfort and
started the programme of support that we have to offer including courses,
one-to-one advice and networking.
‘It was so easy to get
involved with the start-up programme and when I visited for my first meeting
with Jo, I felt like I was coming home. I then attended the courses and it felt
like a great weight of worry was lifted from me because Jo and the rest of the
team help to nurture your confidence and skills with their expert advice and
encouragement.’
On top of the advice and support that Anne has received through
her work with Jo and the courses that she attended, Anne has found that she’s
been able to build a strong network of friendships through our Business Club!
She told us; ‘It’s been great meeting all
the other women and finding out what they are up to, their challenges and how
they have overcome them. I love it when I can help them myself of put them in
touch with someone I know who may be able to help them. I’ve made some lovely
new friends and we meet to discuss how we are getting on and share experiences –
both good and bad, so the support really does continue.’
And this added benefit of making great new friendships has
really eased what could have been a difficult part of self-employment for Anne.
Unlike other new female entrepreneurs that we interact with, it was not the tax
or business planning that Anne struggled with; ‘I am well used to report-writing and dealing with organisations such
as HMRC so I never really worried about preparing my business plan or dealing
with the accounts side of things.’
‘The only aspect I did
find particularly difficult to get used to was not going into an office every
day and being greeted by lots of smiling faces and also working alone and not
having anyone to bounce ideas off. This is where meeting others through The
Women’s Organisation has been so beneficial. I can work hard for part of the
day whilst looking forward to seeing them for the other part!’
And of course, now Anne is reaping some of the great
benefits that being self-employed brings such as flexibility. In particular
this has been beneficial as she has a daughter who is just about to take her
GCSE’s. ‘She’s been feeling the pressure
so it has been great to be around for her which is something I wouldn’t have
been able to do so much when I was working.’ Anne told us that she is
enjoying the definite finish point for projects and the fact that she gets to
meet such a wide variety of people.
The future of Anne’s business is looking bright and she is
feeling proud of the work she has done so far – as she should do! ‘I feel amazed that I have come so far and
that I did it! I still have some way to go until I feel established, but if I have
got this far then it should be no problem!’
If you want to find out more about Anne’s business then you
can do so by using the contact details below.
07905 862810
And if you’ve been inspired by Anne’s story and would like
some support starting your business, then get in touch with us! Ring us on 0151
706 8111 or email us on hello@thewo.org.uk
