According to information from business awareness support project, Enterprising Belfast, only 17 per cent of Northern Ireland's self-employed are women, and just one-third of enquiries to the organisation on starting up new businesses are from women.

Enterprising Ireland is trying to encourage more women to take the step in going it alone and provides the business support necessary for starting up a new business.

Hanifa Hertani, owner of Samara, the first Afro Euro Hair Consultancy in Belfast, is one woman who decided to take the leap to start up her own business. After working as a hairdresser in Birmingham, Hanifa moved to Belfast and worked in a small shop selling Afro Hair products for several years, before realising the demand for an afro hair specialist in Belfast.

Describing the benefits of having her own business, Hanifa said: "Setting up your own business is a lot of hard work, but with the help of agencies like East Belfast Enterprise, you have access to a wide range of support and advice.

"One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the need for research before launching a new business – research on location, on your customer and all the legal and financial issues that need to be addressed.

She added: "Having your own business certainly has its advantages, you are your own boss, you create your own rewards and most of all you gain a great sense of pride and satisfaction from what you have achieved."

Commenting on the progress that Hanifa has made in her business, Marian O'Hagan, Enterprise Awareness Co-ordinator from Enterprising Belfast, said: "Hanifa is a great example to anyone who thinks that starting their own business is unrealistic. With its own niche position in the local hairdressing scene. Samara is now going from strength to strength."

Enterprising Belfast is a citywide project, offering a range of programmes aiming to stimulate new ideas and develop business skills. Services include general start-up advice and signposting to the appropriate support agencies. Interested clients can access free one-to-one consultancy as well as seminars or tailored training courses.

For further information, call Marian on 028 9045 5450.

(CL)