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Women’s Enterprise Awards winners announced!
 Left to right (clockwise): Almudena Navarro (Muni Ltd), Lynne Capocciama (Estate Art), Bridget Callaghan (Well Kneaded), Celine Thompson (Jefferson’s Ice Cream), Marie Callan (URBAG Ltd), Joyce Fraser (Black Heroes Foundation), Cassandra Liu (Cha Dong) and Fatima Ali (Maternal Serenity).
The winners of the Wandsworth Women’s Enterprise Awards were announced at the Council’s Women’s Enterprise Day event on 24th March.
The inaugural awards saw a number of inspiring female founders nominated across three categories, and the judging panel included: Virgin Start-up, Enterprise Nation, Prince’s Trust and South Thames College.
Bridget Callaghan, founder of Well Kneaded, who was crowned ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ said: “It is an honour to be recognised amongst such inspirational women!”
Fatima Ali, founder of Maternal Serenity, was named ‘Rising Star of the Year’ and Lynne Capocciama, founder of Estate Art, was the winner of ‘Best Contribution to the Community’ Award, which was a public vote.
Lynne said: “I actually was just hoping for third place, so I was shocked to win this award. Doing so has motivated me to find new ways to challenge myself and do greater things for the community and beyond.”
Women's Enterprise Day recap
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 Panel discussion with Gomolemo Shirley, Sam Ubhi and Elisa Peloni.
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 'Going for Gold' inspirational talk from Jacqueline Gold CBE (left) hosted by Kate Bassett (right).
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One of the Council’s most popular business events - Women’s Enterprise Day - took place at Elm Grove Conference Centre on 24th Match.
The annual celebration of the borough’s female entrepreneurs, now in its eight year, featured an in-conversation style chat with Jacqueline Gold CBE - CEO Ann Summers, whilst local founders Sam Ubhi (Sam Ubhi), Gomolemo Shirley (Sens8ate) and Elisa Peloni (Cremoloso Gelato) shared their stories of starting and running a business.
The event also saw the Women's Enterprise Awards presentation, celebrating the achievements of female entrepreneurs in the borough. More than 100 women attended the event – here’s what some of them had to say:
“A BIG congratulations to you for the amazing event that you and your team put together! It was truly great!” - Ceylan B
"I had the most uplifting experience at the Women’s Enterprise Day and want to thank you and the team for such an amazing day, from start to finish I was made to feel that I mattered." - Lynda Jones
“Really good, just what I needed – a hug in a mug”
Hear what more of the attendees had to say about the event here.
Weekend pedestrianisation of Northcote Road
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In an effort to support local businesses and improve the experience of shoppers and diners, Northcote Road is now closed to traffic every weekend until the end of September.
The weekend pedestrianisation will mean that bars and restaurants can now utilise the outside space, allowing for al-fresco dining this spring and summer.
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Outdoor advertising opportunities for local businesses
The Council's Economic Development Office is offering local businesses the opportunity to promote their brand on billboards in Battersea and Tooting.
Billboard advertising is popular with both local companies promoting goods, local services and events and are a cost-effective way for brands to market their products to a wider audience. This form of advertising makes an instant impression, can help get your message across in seconds and help you to reach broader audiences. The two available boards are located in high footfall areas.
Board 1: Southbound A24, Upper Tooting Road
Size 48 sheet. The car count for this stretch of the A24 is approximately 22,268 vehicles daily (DfT).
Board 2: Lavender Hill
Lavender Hill faces westbound traffic on the A306 approaching the Clapham shopping area and Clapham Junction. The road has an approximate daily car count of 23800 (DfT).
Prices start from £160 per week (production is additional). For further information email open4business@wandsworth.gov.uk
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Local food traders wanted!
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A new food court on Balham High Road is on the hunt for food businesses.
The Post Market, which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am-11pm, offers a combination of production kitchens, takeaway 'dark' kitchens and kiosks, which are available for 6 months at a time. They are also looking for arts & craft vendors for their weekend craft market as well as local food vendors for their farmers market on Saturdays.
If you are interested in finding out more, email Michael the market manager at info@notparkers.com
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Find the perfect workspace for your business
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Tooting Works is a community hub providing adaptable, affordable and connected space at the heart of Tooting.
They offer a range of services from office and co-working space to virtual tenancy’s and meeting room hire, as well as community support through their Tooting Works’ Community Project initiative.
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Arts and crafts businesses wanted!
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The Council is looking for local businesses to take part in ‘Made in Wandsworth’ - an arts and crafts market, which will take place on Northcote Road 25 - 26th June, as part as Wandsworth Arts Fringe.
To register your interest, please email WEH@wandsworth.gov.uk with the subject ‘Arts & Crafts Market’, including the name of your business, your contact details and what you will be selling at the market. There will be a small fee to take part which will go towards stall hire.
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Advertise your business on TV
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NatWest have partnered with ITV’s Backing Business initiative to help small businesses get more exposure and reach wider audiences through subsidised TV advertising campaigns.
In an effort to support businesses, ITV will match what you pay and could offer creative support for your TV adverts at no extra cost.
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Donate a bike to the Youth Offending Team's bike project
The Youth Offending Team runs a bike project for young people serving a Court Order within the community, which teaches them how to repair bicycles. These bicycles are given to people who have been victims of bike crime as well as refugees.
If you wish to donate a bike, or would like to receive one because you have been a victim of bike theft, please contact Rebecca.Lynn@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Are you a budding entrepreneur looking for a shop to trade from?
Southside Shopping Centre is offering Wandsworth-based businesses the chance to win a Southside shop space rent free for six weeks! Submit your application by Friday 29th April.
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Business Support Events and Programmes
Free support to improve your business’s sustainability
The Better Futures+ programme has been designed for small businesses looking to improve their sustainability and environmental impact. The programme launches on 25th May and will provide qualifying SMEs with a range of business sustainability support tools to help reach Net Zero carbon emissions.
Places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis. The deadline for registrations is Monday 16th May.
Set goals to accelerate your business
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Delivered by the Council in partnership with the NatWest Enterprise team, this free webinar will show business owners how to create long term visions which will keep you motivated and your business moving forwards.
Taking place 10:00 – 11:00 Thursday 9th June, the session will cover; what visioning is, why visioning is important, setting measurable goals and measuring performance. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions.
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Free support for early stage businesses
Entrepreneurs – particularly black and ethnic minority business owners and female founders – who have recently started a business are being urged to sign up for a start-up programme.
Start-up London, is an eight-week programme being delivered by Next Level Business on behalf of the London Business Hub. The programme will provide free coaching to early stage businesses who have been running for up to 18 months.
The programme runs from 18th April - 13th June, features a series of in-person and online group workshops and 1-to-1 meetings, designed to support businesses in overcoming obstacles to growth.
The programme will cover:
- Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance and Talent
- Business strategy
- Essential skills in personal leadership and management
Applications close Friday 6th May
To find out more or sign-up, contact beverley@engineeringbusinessgrowth.com
Scale up your business
StepUp programme is a free 4-day online programme designed for founders who want to scale up their business.
Delivered by Virgin StartUp, the programme takes place 21st - 24th June and features a series of workshops and networking opportunities which will cover topics such as: developing a business proposal, branding & sales strategy, as well as learning about what funding opportunities are available.
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Better Futures Plus: Circular Economy Workshop
27th April 9:00 – 13:00
Join this in-person workshop, facilitated by the Business Doctors, to learn how to plan a subscription or rental model for your products and services.
Find out more
Digital Boost programme: Grow your business online
Receive free 1-to-1 mentoring, workshops, courses and resources to help develop digital skills in social media content strategy, website optimisation, SEO and more.
Find out more
Wayfinder: A free 1-to-1 business support & advice service
Gain access to advice and support from carefully selected expert providers on a range of business-related issues. Receive support and advice tailored to your needs.
Find out more
IPSE’s BOOST: Support for Self-Employment
Have you recently become self-employed? Are you thinking about it? Receive ongoing support and guidance.
Find out more
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Wandsworth Chamber connects, supports, promotes and helps local businesses to grow.
Upcoming Events
Wandsworth Business Forum with Wandsworth Council
Wednesday 4th May 09:30 – 11:00
Join us online for the Wandsworth Business Forums with Wandsworth Council updates and access to Business Experts.
Find out more
Clapham Junction Networking with Wandsworth Chamber
Wednesday 11th May 18:00 – 21:00
Join Chamber Members and guests for this in-person networking evening at Hannah. Open to Wandsworth Chamber members and non-members but places are limited.
Secure your place
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My Virtual Wandsworth
Want to promote your business to local residents? My Virtual Wandsworth features more than 600 local businesses – make sure yours is one of them! List it in our online directory. |
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Wandsworth Gift Directory
Does your business sell great gifts? Add it to the My Virtual Wandsworth Gift Directory.
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Wandsworth Enterprise Hub
Business and Licensing
Visit the Council's Business and Licensing page for information on business licensing, business rates, business premises and much more.
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