Amanda Ruiz, The Ultimate Door Opener, has become a founder member of the Charter for Women in Business, just launched by Prowess, which aims to close a business development gap costing the UK economy billions each year.

More women are starting their own business than men in the UK for the first time ever. These women are ambitious. Some 14% want to hire more staff this year. With nearly 1 million women-led SMEs in the UK that could mean around 140,000 new jobs, according to a government report.

But despite the start-up surge and clear ambitions, women’s businesses aren’t accessing the same level of support and they are less likely to survive and grow than men’s businesses. The Charter for Women in Business is a practical initiative to close the gender gap.

Known by her clients as The Ultimate Door Opener and the PR Expert for Entrepreneurs, Amanda Ruiz PR trains female entrepreneurs to know how to open their own doors to the press and secure media coverage. Principal Amanda Ruiz is supporting women around the world to take their business to the next level. Recently has worked with women-owned businesses in the USA and Pakistan as well as across the UK and Essex.

 Amanda Ruiz is determined to support more women-owned businesses to succeed: “We have joined the Charter for Women in Business to spread the word on how female entrepreneurs can learn the ‘essential life-business-skill’ – AKA DIY PR! They just need to get over the lacking confidence part and then they can fly!” says Amanda.

 Prowess Director Erika Watson, who was awarded an MBE for services to women’s enterprise, says:  “The Charter builds on international best practice and more importantly the women we’ve surveyed give it their full approval. We’re inviting business support and services providers to join Amanda Ruiz PR by signing up to the Charter and let their staff and clients know that they are serious about sharing in women’s business success.”

 The Charter for Women in Business is available online at charter.prowess.org.uk. It includes a code of practice, online training and marketing tools which will better equip supporters of start-ups and small companies to reach and support the growing market of women in business.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Amanda Ruiz is available for interview. tel: 07711 419595  hello@amandaruiz.co.uk 

Website: www.amandaruiz.co.uk

Prowess Founder, Erika Watson MBE is available for interview.  tel: 0797 5743281 erika@prowess.org.uk  

The Charter for Women in Business is an initiative of Prowess, the online hub providing inspiration, information and support for UK women in business. www.prowess.org.uk

 Key facts about UK women in business

 ·         Since 2008 the number of self-employed women has increased from just over 1 million to almost 1.5 million. (ONS statistics 2008 – 2015). The proportion of women-led businesses that are employers has dropped from a peak of 19% in 2012 to 18% in 2014 (BIS Small Business Survey 2015). The self-employment gender pay gap has widened to 40% (Guardian analysis of ONS stats, 8 March 2014).

·         Small businesses contribute £386 billion to the UK economy (BIS 2015). It’s estimated that women-led small businesses contribute around £70 billion. (Women’s Enterprise Task Force report 2009).  RBS has calculated that boosting female entrepreneurship could deliver approximately £60bn extra to the UK economy. (RBS 2013)

·         Women’s businesses that become established do just as well as their male counterparts, but they grow more slowly and are more likely to close in the early days. Too many are held back by lower levels of funding and resources and consequent lower levels of self-confidence at start-up. (RBS 2013)

·         Enterprise training doubles women’s chances of starting a business, and triples their level of confidence in their abilities. (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2010) Women are significantly more likely to participate in training that is targeted specifically to their needs. (Prowess.org.uk/facts)