Harehills social enterprise Shine is expanding its She Can Shine programme as a result of added funding and the high level of interest from entrepreneurs in Leeds.
The She Can Shine entrepreneur programme runs from June 2024 to March 2025 and aims to help create more female-owned businesses in Leeds, directly targeting LGBTQ+ women and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The first cohort of forty women joined the programme in June, with a further forty to join in August, thanks to the additional funding.
The free business support scheme is run in partnership with She Business and is funded by Shine, Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Dawn O’Keefe, Co-founder and Director of Shine: “We are really pleased with the ongoing success of our She Can Shine programme and delighted to be able to open it up to even more women from across Leeds.”
Businesses aged 0 – 3 years are eligible. The entrepreneurs are enjoying access to business workshops. So far, events have covered business viability, finance and branding. Those on the programme also have a book club, mentorship scheme, business address and secure post boxes, plus a new coworking space based at Shine.
Rebecca Collins, Project Manager for the programme: “As a new entrepreneur myself, I know how important support is in those early stages. I’m really proud that we’re helping the next generation of local women-led businesses.”
The next event, ‘The Art of Sales and Networking’ is set to take place on 11th September. It is open to the public and run by Director of She Business, Paula Grizzard.
Applicants can register for the programme on the Shine website, at shinecollective.co.uk/shecanshine
Find out more about Shine here.
Images provided by Shine. Main image: Shine cohort.
