The Bristol-based Festival of Female Entrepreneurs (FFE), which supports women in business, is to be expanded following a link-up with small business network Enterprise Nation.
Launched four years ago by Joni Farthing, founder and director of Women Outside The Box, the event has carved a reputation for inspiring speakers, energising advice and enthusiastic networking aimed at helping women as they seek to take their business to the next level. 
The day-long festival, which has been staged in various venues in Bristol, offers women the chance to learn how they can take on staff, increase trade, access advice and expand into new markets. Crucially, according to Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones, it also offers them the confidence and contacts they need to achieve that success.
Last year the event attracted 700 delegates – making it the largest meet-up of women in business in the UK. Enterprise Nation hopes to grow that number as it prepares to add new speakers and sponsors to this year’s event, which is on October 22 at Bristol’s Colston Hall.
Emma Jones said: “The tide is turning in the small business world. Entrepreneurs already know they can start a business, what they now need to do is discover new ways to grow that company.
“Getting involved in this key festival is part of our own expansion plan, taking the experience and expertise Enterprise Nation has developed and honed over 10 years to new areas and audiences.”
According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of self-employed women has increased by 34% since 2009. By comparison, the number of self-employed men has risen by just 15%.
Enterprise Nation’s Home Business Report 2014 found that of the 2.9m ‘homepreneurs’ in the UK, 64% were women – meaning around 1.7m women run a businesses from home, contributing an estimated £180bn to the British economy in the process.
Speakers already signing up for this year’s event include City superwoman Nicola Horlick, tech founders Alex Depledge of Hassle.com and Julia Elliot Brown of UpperStreet.com, franchise entrepreneurs from Turtle Tots and Pyjama Drama plus venture capital investor Eileen Burbidge, and Gold medal Olympian-turned crowdfunding entrepreneur Sarah Gosling OBE.
Joni Farthing, who also launched the small business advertising site Sourceabl.com, will remain closely involved with the festival as it returns for its fourth year appearing as one of its keynote speakers.
Joni said: “The FFE has been a remarkable success, leading the way in offering specific advice to empower women to grow a business and make money – and crucially the connections they need to get to where they want to be.
“We’re happy to see the Festival in the capable hands of Enterprise Nation who will help build the reputation of this festival further as more women decide to run their own business.”
The move is part of Enterprise Nation’s regional expansion plan, which will give the network a wider reach across the UK via start-up and growth acceleration programmes and new events.
For more information go to www.enterprisenation.com/festival
