A TRIO of enterprising Blackbird Leys women are weeks away from launching a support group for businesswomen on the estate.

The Women’s Business Network is the brainchild of mother-of-one Katie Chester.

She believes there is a gap in the market for a business support group after she set up her own company last year.

The English language lecturer hopes networking sessions will empower local women, help build contacts, share resources, advice and generate new ideas to make their money-making schemes a success.

Ms Chester, mother to one-year-old Esme, said: “I had the idea last year when I went back to work part-time and started a party plan business, which I was hoping to fit around my daughter and make a bit of extra money.

“I thought there must be lots of other women in the area doing similar things together and thought I should try to get them together. It can be quite isolating running a business on your own.”

Ms Chester, of Pine Close, Blackbird Leys, has galvanised the support of friends Tanya Prescott and Kelly Jennings, who also have experience in business, to get the project off the ground.

The three have arranged speakers for the free monthly sessions on topics including getting free publicity and making marketing plans.

Ultimately, Ms Chester, who runs party plan business Tish Tash Toys, envisages hosting an event on the estate to showcase local businesses.

She said: “Setting up my business has been a whole new challenge and a new field for me and it’s just been fascinating learning about business.

“I’m hoping to attract other party plan businesses, people who are self-employed, work part-time or full-time, women who do anything like hairdressing, cake decorating – it can be small businesses, or women thinking about getting involved in business.

“I think women have a different approach to business than men.

“Many women have to fit it around a family and a lot of it is finding time and having to juggle it.

“I hope the group will be inspiring and educating, and somewhere that women can come for advice and support about their new ventures.

“It will also be a lot of fun, very sociable and child-friendly.”

The 41-year-old also hopes to challenge negative perceptions about Blackbird Leys. She said: “It’s about supporting each other and proving that we can do it.”

Details of the first meeting have yet to be arranged.

For more information, email leysbusinesswomen @yahoo.co.uk or call 07979 953156.