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Sunday, May 20, 2007

Encouraging Women Entrepreneurs

Margaret Hodge, Minister of Industry and the Regions, called a Women’s Enterprise Summit in London in March in order to hear about the challenges facing women entrepreneurs. I was one of 15 entrepreneurs invited to give the Government a better understanding of the problems and barriers women face in business. Margaret Hodge will now consider whether there are any practical policies which would help to increase the number of female-owned ventures. She has proposed a follow-up meeting to which Gordon Brown will also be invited. The women entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to put forward to him their suggestions as to how the Government can encourage more women into setting up business ventures.

Regional Finalist in British Small Business Champions

Pachacuti has been selected as a regional finalist for the Midlands region in the ethical category of the FSB Small Business Champions Award. We feel very proud to have reached this stage of the awards. Judging will take place in May to select the overall category winner from the Midlands region who will then go on to a glittering national awards ceremony in London.

Ashbourne Local Loyalty Cards

On 8th June, Ashbourne will be launching a Shop Local loyalty card scheme, rewarding shoppers for their purchases at participating retailers in the town.

Pachacuti is delighted to be participating in the Ashbourne loyalty card scheme as this is an idea which I have been talking about for years! Shopping locally brings huge financial benefits to the local economy. Every £1 spent with a local supplier is worth £1.76 to the local economy, but only 36p if it is spent out of the area. The card costs £5 and can then be used in any of the shops to accrue points. Pachacuti will be donating profits from the sale of our cards to renovating the homes of our elderly panama hat weavers who always complain about the poor state of repair of their small adobe houses whenever I visit them in Ecuador. Pachacuti will be offering a £10 voucher for every 100 points spent in our shop, with 1 point earnt per £1 spent.