Herald - Issue 421

v FOR GOOD ADVICE, ASK YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v 31st March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 57 Helen Sparks Mortgages & Financial Services Offering professional advice since 1985 Mortgages Residential Life Time Equity Release Buy to Let – first time landlords Property Portfolios Help to Buy Insurance Buildings & Contents Insurance Life Assurance Critical Illness Income Protection Private Medical Insurance YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS This firm usually charges a fee for mortgage advice. The amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances and will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity. Some forms of buy to let mortgage are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 023 8084 4108 helensparks@btconnect.com Helen Goodall T/A Helen Sparks Mortgages & Financial Services is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ASK A PROFESSIONAL Tel: 023 8254 7600 TMT House, 12 The Marsh, Hythe, Southampton, SO45 6AL enquiry@tmtlegalservices.co.uk www.tmtlegalservices.co.uk Your Local Legal Specialists PROPERTY & CONVEYANCING SERVICES We specialise in Property Services from buying your new home to investment portfolios and newbuilds. Call the Team on 023 8254 7600 or visit our website for our online quotation tool where you can also instruct us More Women than Men Start New Businesses - But Access to Funding Remains a Challenge A record high of new businesses are now led by women. But access to funding remains an issue at every stage of the business journey and female led business are still underfunded. Women not only launch businesses with less capital than men but they are less willing to take on debt. Thekla Galazoudi, local business manager at Southampton Metro Bank o ers business and funding advice to new Hampshire businesses. Post pandemic, women in business are proving very resilient with higher numbers than ever starting new businesses - 145,200 all-female founded companies were created last year, and this gure is growing by over a third each year (37.3%). According to Rose Review 2022 Progress Report, over 20% of new rms are now led by women – which is a record high. is is not news to ekla Galazoudi, the local business manager at Southampton’s Metro Bank. “I spend more than half of my week meeting with new business owners. Women in business often feel more cautious than their male counterparts to take on debt. I find that women look for more creative ways to raise capital required to start up or grow, rather than simply approach their bank. Part of my role is to challenge this approach and provide education, support and tools to female entrepreneurs to make access to finance both easier and cost efficient.” ekla has helped hundreds of new business women in Hampshire to start up and grow their businesses. She has three key insights for women in business: 1. Do not let imposter syndrome hold you back from starting your dream business It is not uncommon to feel like a fraud whether you are an entrepreneur or a senior executive. Don’t let this perfectly normal feeling stop you building your business and embracing success. 2. Building your business is rarely a quick process Recognise that getting your product or service to market is a massive rst hurdle. Creating a network of connections and trusted advisors won’t happen overnight - don’t berate yourself if it’s taking longer than you anticipated. 3. Create a strong and clear business plan is will give you direction - so get help, advice and try and nd a mentor who can support you. It’s not just about understanding nances and cash ow, it’s about anticipating hurdles you need to overcome, setting objectives and some stretching goals to achieve.