Toyah helps women in business

9:01am Monday 17th December 2007

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SINGER and actress Toyah Willcox took centre stage when Women in Rural Enterprise held a conference at Worcester Racecourse to celebrate Women's Enterprise Day.

She was keynote speaker at the conference and gave an inspirational talk about how events in her music career had led to her taking charge of her finances, managing herself and building up a property investment portfolio.

Emphasising the importance of paying attention to new technologies, Toyah, who now lives near Pershore, explained how social networking sites such as myspace, have enabled her to get her music heard by the masses, resulting in a new global recording contract.

Part of WiRE's Opening Doors programme, which offers free training and support to help women set up their own business, the day was organised in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council.

A number of workshops, including blogging, time management and running a green business, were on offer throughout the day.

A fun speed networking session was also held, allowing each participant to promote her business to five other businesswomen.

Christine Rutherford, the Opening Doors project officer for Worcestershire, said: "More than 100 local businesswomen enjoyed a fantastic day of workshops, networking and inspirational talks. We were so pleased that Toyah could join us. Hearing stories like hers is so motivating for those women who are just starting out in business."