Every business
owner knows what it feels like to feel bogged down in paper-work and a to-do
list as long as your arm. Starting a business is not an easy decision and
usually includes long hours, big decisions and asking yourself “have I made the
right decision?”.
Well, we think
you have. Turning your passion into a business reality is something that deserves
applauding, so make sure you constantly remind yourself WHY you started in the
first place.
We recruited
the help of two amazing women who had a business idea and made it happen. Irene
Afful and Marissa Rooney both became entrepreneurs through sheer hard work and
determination, and a little guidance from The Women’s Organisation.
Irene Afful is Director
of Ametrine Enterprise Solutions, Professional Coaching & Consultancy
Services. If you haven’t heard Irene’s story, it’s pretty incredible and we
recommend that you head to this YB
news article to read about it in more depth!
A young girl
growing up in Toxteth the same time as the Toxteth Riots, Irene experienced
racial abuse from police officers. She later joined the force with a mission to
transform its discriminatory culture and lay the foundation for a more diverse
workforce. Irene did just that, eventually becoming Merseyside Police’s first
black female inspector.
Now a
businesswoman running her own coaching and consultancy venture, Ametrine Enterprise
Solutions, Irene says “One of my ambitions was always to have my own
business. I love working with people, supporting people and empowering people
to achieve what they want to, seeing other people succeed gives me so much
satisfaction.”
However, Irene
doesn’t take nurturing her business lightly, “You can’t give 100% to your
business if you don’t love yourself first. If you don’t look after yourself, you
simply don’t have the energy to give to your business” – wise words from the
incredible, Irene.
Irene left us
with a quote from herself, “live your passion but .. make sure that you love
yourself! Then you will love your business” – thanks Irene!
Next up was Marissa Rooney! Marissa has just began a bridal shop, Beautiful Brides Liverpool on Aigburth Road, specialising in
fitting curvaceous women on their special day. Marissa told us all about her
entrepreneurial journey, detailing the leap of faith she took into the unknown,
“Fashion was the one thing I kept going back to. My nan taught me to sew and I
was always creative growing up. When it came to starting a business, I kept
thinking, ‘will I be taken seriously?’”.
Marissa
contacted The Women’s Organisation, where she began working with our Jo, “the
support network I had from The Women’s Organisation, meeting women every day at
the bridal shop and at events like this, I feel like I’m in paradise. I’m
surrounded by amazing women every day, and that drives my passion”.
It was clear to
see Marissa’s love for her business, and that definitely left our Business Club
members feeling inspired and motivated to push on.
We followed the
talks with some 60-second pitches and lot’s of networking – and we mean LOTS –
it was great to see so all of our attendees making contacts and arranging collaborative
plans for the future. Comments from Business Club included:
“Most productive session I have ever
attended! Left feeling so positive about moving forward”
“Great event! Really inspiring talks.
Enjoyed meeting some great women in business”
“Brilliant speakers. Lovely to hear
about other women’s struggles and stories around self-employment”
“Thank you very much for holding tonight’s
networking. It was so useful to hear other people’s experiences and to have the
opportunity to meet women with different businesses”
Thanks to
everyone who came, and to our amazing speakers, Irene Afful and Marissa Rooney. You can find out more about Ametrine Enterprise Solutions and Beautiful Brides Liverpool.
Next up in the
Business Club calendar is International Women’s Day! It’s going to be a big one
– you can find our full agenda here.
To find out
more about Business Club, contact us on hello@thewo.org.uk
or 0151 706 8111.
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