Inspirational women entrepreneurs have been honoured for finishing a business mentoring course.

The 21 women were branded ‘inspiring’ following the six-month course at Enterprise Enfield and were given their awards at the Royal Chace Hotel, on The Ridgeway, Enfield.

The RSA Trust Inspiring Women Programme is into its eighth year and participants learn about all aspects of running a business, including business planning, raising finance, bookkeeping, marketing, website development and social media.

Nine participants in this year’s programme have already registered their businesses and started trading with four of the women managing to secure funding for their businesses through the Start Up Loan Fund.

One of those women, Laura Paton, was given funding following the course to set up her own transport consultancy.

She said: “I am now a transport consultant with a business plan, a think tank of potential ideas and an unrivalled support network of friends, colleagues and business advisors - and it’s all thanks to The RSA Trust Inspiring Women, Enfield Enterprise and the Start Up Loan Fund. It really has been an inspirational journey for me and my fellow participants.”

Councillor Alan Sitkin, Enfield council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Enfield council is doing everything it can to encourage women to start up new businesses in the borough by facilitating excellent training and business support. In addition to supporting gender equality, it’s about targeting practical assistance and advice to women in Enfield who want to work for themselves.

“I would like to congratulate Enterprise Enfield, which has worked for a number of years offering help to many local women who are now running their own successful businesses, and look forward to meeting this year’s successful candidates.”