On October 10th we see the start of The Growing Club 4, the 4th cohort of the 12 month business growth programme for women who run micro businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
We work with the women who significantly add to the UK’s economy, but fall through the net when it comes to business support provision, because of their size, or their client group.
We started The Growing Club as an experiment in March 2016 and now;
*Group 1 meet as The Graduates Group,
*Group 2 graduate in September,
*Group 3 meet this week for an input on selling with confidence,
*And there are just 3 spaces left on group 4.
Women attend from all over the North West UK to work as a group to grow their businesses. And there are now plans for an on-line group later this year for women further afield.
Last Autumn we launched as a community interest company and on September 15th we start the first Sowing Club, a pre start up course for socially disadvantaged women in Lancaster District, funded by the lottery (full details here ).
In a world of business growth programmes, what makes this so successful? I read this recently and I thought it summed up the experiences perfectly.
“Women learn and lead differently. It is not so much about ‘the what’ women-focused programs offer clients, but how programs are delivered. Programs are more collaborative and relationship-oriented. They are less transactional, relying on peer or one-on-one mentoring… This builds a sense of community, support that goes well beyond the technical assistance that is offered.” Julie Weeks on entrepreneurial feminism (8)
It’s Jane’s 20+ years experience as a community worker, working primarily with groups of women and girls, that makes The Growing Club work. But we do also adapt the what, because we understand that women juggle many roles and we will only remain productive and creative if we maintain a healthy, well balanced life in a world where overwhelm is constantly threatening.
You can get full details about The Growing Club here and if you would like to find out if The Growing Club is right for you, we have a ‘try before you buy’ opportunity – Jane is speaking about The Growing Club at the Small Business Expo’ in Garstang on September 18th. Come along, find out more, network, have lunch and if you sign up to join us you even get you £10 back. You can’t say fairer than that now can you!
You can get your tickets HERE
How can You support The Growing Club cic?
In response to identified need, we have decided to create two scholarship places per-course for women with commitment to growth who need a hand financially at this time. At the end of their course those women will pay it forward and top up the scholarship pot for the next women.
If you would like to help sponsor a women in business to take her place in The Growing Club, please email Jane at admin@thegrowingclub.co.uk