Jump in number of Rochdale ‘mumpreneurs’

Rochdale business support agency Blue Orchid says it has seen a sharp increase in the number of mums setting up their own firms.

Blue Orchid managing director Heather Hayes said mums in Rochdale are following a national trend, which is seeing more women become entrepreneurs.

As a result Blue Orchid is expanding its bespoke advice service to women and mums who want to set up in business to strike a better work life balance.

“We are seeing a new generation of mums contacting us wanting to set up in business,” she said.

“Some have been made redundant during the recession, some want greater flexibility so they can balance the needs of their family, others are simply looking for greater certainty of employment as the recession and public sector cuts bite. Self-employment and home working does offer mums a huge amount. Home businesses already make up a third of UK businesses and 1,400 firms are launched each week.

“Being self employed and working from home gives mums much greater flexibility and control over their day. They can also have tremendous fun and earn a good living.

“However the challenges of running a successful profitable business remain formidable. And that is where Blue Orchid can help. We offer free publicly funded advice to help people to help set up in business examining key areas such as honing your business idea, dealing with tax and the law, formulating business plans and working out how best to market your firm. There is a lot to think about but our experience is that mums are well placed to make a great success of being self employed.”

For more information about Blue Orchid’s services telephone 01706 515 710 or email startups@theblueorchid.co.uk

Blue Orchid is the contracted business support agency in Rochdale, delivering the Intensive Start Up Support (ISUS) programme, which is provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). ISUS is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. The programme is funded by the NWDA, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and is backed by Rochdale Council