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It’s a woman’s world: Top female entrepreneurs share the secrets of their success

28 February 2008

  • An exclusive insight into the world of business from five highly successful women
  • The line-up of speakers includes Sam Roddick, founder of Coco de Mer and daughter of Body Shop-founder Anita Roddick, and Lorraine Heggessey, CEO of talkbackThames, the TV company behind the hit series The X-Factor and The Apprentice
  • Tips for all aspiring female entrepreneurs from the first spark of inspiration to launching and developing a business

Building a successful company or securing a seat in the boardroom can still be a real challenge for aspiring women entrepreneurs. On 17 March the British Library brings together five remarkable women who have all made their business ideas into reality. ‘MOTHERS OF INVENTION 3' celebrates the best of female entrepreneurial spirit and gives a platform to some of the brightest talents in British business today.

Brilliant ideas, hard work and perseverance are critical to building a successful business no matter who you are. But if you happen to be a woman with a vision the climb up to the top can still remain tough. All the more inspiring then are the success stories of the five business women who take to the stage at the panel discussion, Q&A and networking reception ‘Mothers of Invention 3' at the British Library. Marking International Women's Month the event offers a unique chance to learn from the creators of some of the most exciting brands around and hear what it's really like to be a female entrepreneur in the 21st century.

The impressive line-up will serve as an inspiration to others who are hoping to flourish in the world of business:

  • Sam Roddick daughter of Body Shop legend Dame Anita Roddick and founder of the "erotic emporium" Coco De Mer
  • Lorraine Heggessey the first ever female controller of BBC1 and a true pioneer in the television industry
  • Sian Sutherland the British Female Innovator of the Year 2006 and managing director of Mama Mio - “skincare for supermamas”
  • Jessica Huie the single mother and founder of the fast growing ethnic greeting cards company ColorBlind Cards
  • Debbie Reynolds the hard-of-hearing single mother of two who set up the thriving School of Sign Language
  • ‘Mothers of Invention 3' will be moderated by the BBC's news presenter, Mishal Husain

Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing at the British Library, said:” Although women are increasingly involved in setting up and managing their own businesses, one in three still believes that their gender makes it just that little bit more difficult for them to succeed in the business world. Encouraging women to play their part in building a stronger future economy is therefore vital and that's why information resources such as the Business & IP Centre are so important. Our economy would radically benefit from the ideas and talent of all the would-be female entrepreneurs out there – according to a recent study the UK would have 750,000 more female-run businesses if British women were as entrepreneurial as their US counterparts.” See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6146542.stm

Part of the Business & IP Centre's ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs' series, ‘Mothers of Invention 3' will be followed by another must-attend event ‘Desperately Seeking Finance 2' on 22 April with an opportunity to pitch your idea to a panel of financial experts, including former "Dragon" Doug Richard.

For interviews and further information please contact: British Library Press Office Suvi Kankainen telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7105, email: suvi.kankainen@bl.uk or Lawrence Christensen telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk.

Notes for Editors:

1. The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world-class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently receives almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month. The London Development Agency since May 2005 has awarded the British Library Business & IP Centre £3.5million to provide a single access point to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in London gain access to and exploit existing and new business and IP information, and other relevant content and data, guided by impartial Library information experts and associated partners. The Business & IP Centre has been used by over 30,000 people since it opened in March 2006. An independent survey of 230 users in 2007 showed that it helped create 47 new companies, took a further 48 to start-up and helped create 115 new jobs. Access to the Centre is free, but users need a Reader Pass; for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc

2. ‘Mothers of Invention 3' features the following speakers:

  • Sam Roddick is the founder of "erotic emporium" Coco De Mer and daughter of Body Shop-legend Dame Anita Roddick. Today Coco de Mer has outlets in London and Los Angeles , and Sam is committed to enabling individuals to use sexuality as an instrument to transform their existence. Coco de Mer is an active supporter of the Helen Bamber Foundation and the Women's Project.
  • Lorraine Heggessey is a true pioneer in the television industry. She is chief executive of talkbackThames, one of Britain 's most successful independent production companies that produces programmes such as The X-Factor, The Apprentice and Green Wing. A champion of new talent in her industry, Lorraine became the first female controller of BBC1 and was named “First Woman of Media” in the 2006 CBI/Real Business First Women Awards.
  • Jessica Huie, founder of the ethnic greeting cards company Colorblind Cards, started her career as an 18-year-old single mother with four GCSEs and a drive to succeed and secure a better future for her daughter. In May 2007 the UK 's largest card chain, Clinton Cards, rolled out the range and Colorblind Cards is now stocked in 100 of their stores, as well as 45 independent shops. Jessica has plans to launch a range of gift items next year. In 2007, she was honoured in the Evening Standard/02 awards recognising inspirational entrepreneurs.
  • Sian Sutherland is managing director of Mama Mio – "skincare for supermamas". She started the business with two friends, having spotted a gap in the market for luxurious and safe creams that pamper women's skin specifically during and after pregnancy. Every product in the Mama Mio range has been created to answer specific needs based on the experiences of Sian and her two founder friends. Sian has been named British Female Innovator of the Year 2006 and Mama Mio the winner of the Best Pregnancy Product at the Pregnancy & Birth awards in 2006.
  • Debbie Reynolds is a hard-of-hearing single mother of two, who in 2003 was in debt, had no qualifications and was struggling to make ends meet. In spite of her problems, she enrolled as a volunteer for a local deaf charity and in April 2006, set up the School of Sign Language which now employs a staff of 28 deaf and hearing workers and volunteers and has delivered 'taster' courses in signing to more than 5,000 children. Debbie was Silver Winner in the Barclays Trading Places Award in 2007.
  • Moderator – Mishal Husain is one of the best-known presenters on the BBC, who has most recently been at the forefront of world news reporting from Pakistan in the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Mishal was born in the UK, but grew up in the United Arab Emirates. After a law degree, she worked for Bloomberg Television, before joining the BBC in 1998.

3. Forthcoming ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs' events include ‘Desperately Seeking Finance 2' on 22 April, which offers a unique opportunity to pitch your idea to a panel of financial experts, including former "Dragon" Doug Richard. A panel debate and discussion dedicated exclusively to the secrets of raising finance, the event will see three aspiring entrepreneurs take to the stage to present their business ideas and plans.