Female entrepreneurs from across the North East have gathered to share their experiences, challenges and successes as a growing network dedicated to supporting women in business continues to expand across the UK.
The second Founder Live event, organised by Female Founder UK (FFUK), took place at Teesside University’s The Curve and brought together female founders and leaders.
Female Founder UK held its second Founder Live event at Teesside University. Female founders picturedoutside The Curve, Teesside University
(Image: Social Allies)
Female Founder UK, which began in Teesside, describes itself as a movement designed to build an empowering ecosystem for women in business, not just a networking group.
Max Freer, founder and CEO of Female Founder UK, said: "Female Founder UK is about building an ecosystem that helps women to connect, collaborate and create economic impact together.
"Talent is everywhere in the Tees Valley, but opportunity isn't.
Laura Hall
(Image: Supplied)
"Unlocking female entrepreneurial talent is one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time.
"We help women to build sustainable businesses and careers, redefining how they connect, lead and succeed together."
The event opened with a talk from SASS media directors Sarah Dale and Sarah Walker, who spoke about the importance of storytelling, visibility and authenticity.
Left, Sarah Dale and Sarah Walker
(Image: Supplied)
This was followed by a presentation from Ms Freer and an open discussion exploring the real-world barriers and opportunities faced by women in business.
Laura Hall, founder of The LH Group and owner of The Truffled Hog Deli & Kitchen in Stokesley, took part in a candid fireside chat with journalist Sarah Dale.
She reflected on her career journey and the reality behind the polished image often presented online.
Max Freer
(Image: Dawn McNamara)
Ms Hall said: "I never graduated, so being invited to give a fireside interview at Teesside University yesterday for Female Founder UK felt quite surreal.
"What Max has started with Female Founder UK isn’t an event or a networking group, it’s a movement.
"An undercurrent running through Teesside, and I think we’d all agree it’s exactly what we needed.
"The job now is ours, to keep the momentum, keep bringing more people into it and keep sharing with each other.
Female Founder UK held its second Founder Live event at Teesside University. Female founders picturedoutside The Curve, Teesside University. Photo by Social Allies
(Image: Social Allies)
"This isn’t a clique, which I think is the bit we all secretly detest about networking."
She said: "On the way out a few of us got talking about being more vulnerable, sharing more, being honest while we’re still in the trenches, not just once we’re out the other side with the money and the time for a blow-dry."
The roundtable discussion, led by Sarah Walker, encouraged attendees to share their experiences of misogyny, under-representation, funding gaps, confidence hurdles and balancing business with caring responsibilities.
Independent financial adviser Christine Tarran, founder of Tarran & Co, spoke about the importance of cashflow management and pension planning for women in business.
Female Founder UK has created a supportive community where women can talk openly about money, challenges and success.
Ms Freer highlighted the wider economic impact of supporting female founders.
She said: "Only 2 per cent of UK equity investment is allocated to female founders – just 2 per cent.
"That is £310bn of missed revenue to the UK economy from female founders.
"But women have influence, more so than any other time.
"We make up 51 per cent of the population, 58 per cent of graduates, 90 per cent contribution to consumer spend, and 60 per cent projected to control the UK’s total wealth by the end of the decade. Founder visibility has become a major growth strategy."
Ms Freer stressed that Female Founder UK is not just another business support platform.
She said: "We are building more than a business.
"For decades, women have built remarkable businesses across Britain, yet there has never been a single brand that truly represents them.
"Female Founder UK was trademarked and created to change that.
"We are building Britain's identity brand for female founders.
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"A brand that represents ambition without apology. Success without compromise.
"Recognition without exclusivity.
"A brand that celebrates the women building businesses that shape our economy, strengthen our communities and inspire future generations."
More information about Female Founder UK can be found at www.femalefounderuk.co.uk.