Saira backs women mean business event (From Asian Image)

Saira backs women mean business event

10:08am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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The Apprentice star Saira Khan showed that women mean business at an exhibition showcasing the finest female-run businesses Lancashire has to offer.

Saira, runner-up in the first series of Lord Alan Sugar's smash hit BBC reality show, was guest speaker at an event celebrating International Women's Day.

Organised by No Limits' Women Mean Business, 28 businesswomen from across the county exhibited their companies at Burnley Football Club's James Hargreaves Suite.

From firms selling ceramic tiles to designer clothing and wedding favourites to underwater photography, all have benefited from the help and expert advice given by Women Mean Business. This guidance has proved invaluable to many ventures enabling them to develop, grow and prosper.

During an informative hour-long speech, Saira, 39, gave the 200-strong all-female audience the benefit of her business experience. The 39-year-old mum of one told how she successfully juggles married life with running two successful businesses. Saira manages Miamoo - a natural skincare product for babies - and an orienteering company called West is East.

Saira - on her first visit to Burnley - said despite appearing on TV and working for Lord Sugar for six months, she encountered the same problems as any other start-up business.

She said: "Appearing on TV did open doors for me but I still faced exactly the same obstacles as everybody else. I struggled to get funding and find the right PR and advertising.

"But to be successful in business it is all about being confident and having self-belief."

Saira, who also appeared on BBC1's Beat the Boss, added: "It's all about how much effort you are prepared to put in and how much you want your dream to come true. There is no short cut to success - you need to roll your sleeves up.

"If someone says to you 'No, you can't do that' say to them 'Yes I can!"

Since its launch three years ago, Women Mean Business has assisted more than 200 companies in Lancashire.