It was no coincidence that stalls at last week’s Christmas market in Bradford’s Darley Street were run by women.

The event was organised for women retailers by Manningham-based Digitalife, a partner in Bradford Council’s successful Kickstart enterprise support programme.

Digitalife supports women who wish to develop business ideas, boosts their confidence and helps them become self-employed. The Christmas market offered test trading and awareness-building, using Council stalls.

“We are committed to finding ways to support women entrepreneurs in the Bradford district,” said Gweneth Balson, Digitalife managing director. “The women’s markets have been a tremendous success for new traders.”

In the UK, women entrepreneurs account for 27 per cent of self-employed people in the UK, with more than one million running their own business.

Raihanna Ismail, a Kickstart business counsellor with ATL Enterprise in Manningham, said: “We can provide advice and guidance on starting and sustaining a successful enterprise.

“Many women consider self-employment because of their family commitments. Working one-to-one with a business adviser helps them building their confidence and explore opportunities.

“We offer a wide range of free workshops to help women to improve their knowledge, build business skills and, if they wish, be guided by a business mentor.”

A recent survey showed that Asian and African Caribbean women are the most enterprising among all population groups.

Hina Hanif, development officer with Amaze Yourself@Bradford, said: “Many Asian women are quite entrepreneurial and have good business ideas, but feel frustrated that their family commitments do not allow them enough time to start a business.”

Run by the University of Bradford in partnership with Kickstart, this is a successful business training and confidence-boosting programme for people with a business idea.

Hina added: “If you look at the dynamics of Bradford, most women are taking primary responsibility in managing homes and bringing up children. But trends are changing; there are more opportunities for women to work today and far more support is available.

“The success of women depends on the support they get from their home. Support agencies can only do so much. But it’s their family who can initiate a woman’s self-confidence and help kick-start their careers.”

Women face significant disadvantages in fulfilling their economic potential, according to Léon Consearo, a Kickstart business adviser with Millennium Renaissance Consultants in Bradford.

In particular, those from minority ethnic backgrounds must overcome significant social, cultural and institutional obstacles if they want to start their own business.

These obstacles include a lack of confidence, low self-esteem, a shortage of child care, problems in accessing finance and poor family support.

“The barriers faced by women and those from under-represented or disadvantaged groups and communities greatly hinder the development of a modern and diverse Britain,” said Léon.

But she added: “We all play a significant role in the UK economy. A barrier is not the end of the road; it is just a gate on your route to enterprise or employment. Opening it can be the beginning of a rewarding and fruitful journey.”

At last month’s inaugural meeting of NEWS, the Network for Enterprising Women’s Success launched by Bradford Chamber of Commerce, Sandy Needham, the Chamber’s chief executive, said it was time Bradford had an effective business women’s network to address the gender imbalance.

“Just being able to link with someone similar, to compare ideas and learn from others’ experiences, can make a big difference,” she said.

Next year, the network will run workshops for enterprising women. Topics will include personal motivation, presentation skills and making first impressions count.

Women looking for support in returning to work or becoming self-employed are invited to call: Bradford Kickstart, (0800) 9539503; Bradford Chamber, (01274) 772777; Amaze Yourself@Bradford, (01274) 234009; Digitalife, (01274) 481272.

One local female entrepreneur juggling with the demands of being a mum-of-two, wife and businesswoman is Sarah Wilson-Fleming.

She launched Interlude, a Shipley-based 1920s-themed tea room, more than two years ago.

Sarah is building a strong business and has expanded to outside catering. She employs two full-time staff and provides training and work experience to apprentices and adults with learning difficulties.

She said: “I close a bit earlier one day a week to become ‘football mum’ while my son has goalkeeper training in Saltaire. I’ll get round to the business admin later.”

When planning to launch Interlude, she received support from business advisers at Bradford Kickstart.

Sarah is one of hundreds of ‘Superwomen’ in the Bradford district who somehow manage to balance the demands of full- or part-time work, or those of running a business, with caring for their family and managing their home.

“We often talk ourselves out of our talents when we should be saying ‘let’s have a crack at it’. But we are better than men at asking for help.”

Her advice to women thinking of setting up a business?

“Be really thorough in your planning and research; look at what your competitors are doing. Ask yourself ‘will my business idea become a true business or simply a useful second income?’.”

Heaton and Manningham sisters-in-law, Kausar Un-Nisar and Hajran Iqbal, whose Ma’s Catering is starting to take off, have brought up nine children. The older ones help when there’s a birthday party, wedding or business function.

“We chose our business name because we prepare and cook traditional Kashmiri dishes just like Asian mothers do,” says Kausar. “All our food is home-made and customers like it. We also offer a popular range of pasta dishes and are introducing Caribbean dishes.”

Both took a training course provided by Amaze Yourself@Bradford, a university programme provided in partnership with the Council’s Kickstart programme. They also received business advice from ATL Enterprise and from Digitalife.

“We found it difficult at first; we had never done anything like it and lacked self-confidence. But there is good support for women who want to start a business in Bradford,” says Kausar, who is also a nursery nurse. “It’s amazing to run your own business. We feel a great sense of personal achievement and enjoy the flexible hours.”