Competition to see Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Mothers of Invention

written by Julie Hall - Editor · Leave a Comment

You have a great business idea, long to pursue your dreams or just want to be your own boss, the British Library is bringing together four trailblazing British women for an evening of inspiration.

In celebration of International Women’s Month, ‘Mothers of Invention’ is a rare opportunity to hear from, and put your questions to, a group of pioneers from fields as diverse as film, retail, marketing and design.

‘Mothers of Invention’ is the latest in the Inspiring Entrepreneurs series, supported by HSBC, ‘the world’s local bank’.

Four mothers of invention:

mothers

Gurinder Chadha OBE is one of Britain’s most successful film directors, best known for Bend it Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and, most recently, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Born in Kenya, she began her career at the BBC before making a huge impact with Bhaji on the Beach in 1993.

Liz Jackson MBE started her telemarketing business Great Guns at the age of 25, with few educational qualifications and a £4,000 loan from The Prince’s Trust. In the first year of her business, she lost her eyesight, yet has gone on to build a £3m-turnover business with eight offices across the UK.

Laura Tenison conceived her children’s clothes business in 1993 after a severe car accident in France; the woman in the hospital bed beside her complained about the standard of mail-order kids’ clothes. Today JoJo Maman Bebe is an award-winning multi million-pound retailer with stores across the UK.

Dee Wright’s business The Hairforce is an innovative nit and lice removal service. After just three sessions with one of Dee’s “lice assassins” both the nits and the lice are gone, and children are treated like VIPs in a massage chair; the whole experience is fuss-free. Dee supports female staff by providing a job which they can fit around school hours.