Ladies get down to business at start-up course

‘Like a Boss’ was structured specially for women to enhance their self-esteem and confidence to enable them to “have a go” at setting up even a part-time enterprise.

At the end of their five-day course, which included a makeover, they gave presentations to the trainer and mentor Melanie Fitzpatrick and Tamsin Evans, and they were scored on the viability of their business ideas, their PowerPoint presentations and their financial projections.

Melanie Humphrey, chief executive, of Mallusk Enterprise Park, said: “The ladies are amazing and we are delighted to see such a change in the confidence of all the ladies who invested their time this week to attend our programme.

“We ended the programme with a ladies’ afternoon tea party with each getting awards and a box of goodies to help them organise their next step into business.

“All of this was provided completely free of charge and was funded by Mallusk Enterprise Park.

“We had a great week and the ladies have some brilliant ideas – a new ‘Cake Boss’ is amongst them. Also some other ideas included online personalised gifts, dance and fitness instructor as well as holistic therapies, voice coach to name but a few great ideas.”

Anita Cassidy, whose idea is “Anita Cakes” won the prize of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and she brought in two cakes representing the dogs belonging to Melanie and Tamsin.

Mallusk Enterprise Park is also involved with another free start-up workshop. Entitled ‘Men in Sheds’, the project for men aged over 55 years will be held at Merville House.

Mallusk Enterprise Park has assisted more than 1, 000 business over the last 20 years.