Women entrepreneurs across Wales are being encouraged to talk about money

That is the message from NatWest Cymru which says businesses started by women average 50% less starting capital than men and receive less than 1% in venture capital. They are also substantially less likely to reach a business turnover of over £1m compared to men.

To help challenge these figures and empower more women entrepreneurs, the bank has teamed-up with Darwin Gray Solicitors, the University of South Wales, and the Federation of Small Businesses to run a free event featuring award-winning financial planner and money coach Catherine Morgan.

It’s About Time We Talked About Money takes place on November 22 at the Llanerch Vineyard in the Vale of Glamorgan. Part of the hugely successful It’s About Time event series to support women in business, the event will also include a roundtable and Q&A with leading female entrepreneurs and business leaders as well as networking opportunities.

Catherine Morgan is the voice behind one of the country’s most popular financial podcasts, In Her Financial Shoes, and is the co-author of the Amazon best-seller The Woman I’m Becoming. Passionate about getting people talking about money, she regularly produces video content in her community in her PJs to get others to relax around the taboo subject of money.

Gemma Collins, NatWest Cymru Business Growth Enabler and co-organiser of the event, said: “We’re really pleased that Catherine is attending as our keynote speaker. Accessing finance to launch and support a business is a barrier that affects many women. The confidence to ask for financial support and the belief that your business is worthy of it can be just as much a burden.

“During the event she’ll be sharing six common money blocks experienced by women and the tools to recognise and control them.

“She’ll also be sharing her own powerful personal story of how after almost losing her son to meningitis at just five weeks old, and suffering with PTSD and anxiety, she got out of her 9-5 job and created an online business to help women to be financially resilient, creating freedom from money and not money for freedom.”

To reserve for your free place at the It’s About Time We Talked About Money event on November 22 (09:30 to 14:30) visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-about-time-we-talked-about-money-tickets-74968200907.