Female entrepreneurs in Exeter have a real appetite for business at cookery school event

Over eighty female entrepreneurs with an appetite for business attended a special event at the Exeter Cookery School this week featuring local author and blogger Sarah Turner.

The Sunday Times bestseller headlined the NatWest Boost event on Tuesday as part of the bank’s month-long activity celebrating International Women’s Day. 

Accordingly to a recently published report by NatWest’s Deputy CEO Alison Rose, just 33% of UK entrepreneurs are women, a figure it is aiming to challenge by supporting more women who want to start their own business.

Exeter author Sarah knows first-hand what’s it like to step away from a full-time job and launch a new career. The founder of the successful Unmumsy Mum blog worked in the financial sector, but switched to writing when she became a mum.

Since starting her blog in 2013 she has gone on to have two bestselling books published - The Unmumsy Mum and The Unmumsy Mum Diary – and was shortlisted for Book of the Year at the 2017 British Book Awards.

Sarah, who will publish her third book later this year, spoke to guests at the event about the challenges she faced as a mum starting a new career and how she overcame these to find success.

She said: “I really enjoyed being able to talk about my own journey becoming a writer to such an inspirational group of people. There is so much talent in Devon that we should celebrate and support and it’s really encouraging that NatWest is working to help more women launch their own businesses.”

James Court, NatWest Business Growth Enabler for Exexter, Mid and East Devon, said: “The feedback from guests at the event has been overwhelming. We know from the Rose Review that imposter syndrome can affect a significant number of women who then question their own ability or right to be where they are. Story’s like Sarah’s are vital because they help breakdown these barriers and give the confidence needed to break that glass ceiling.”