Women entrepreneurship networks in Bulgaria – High Heels Business and Young Ladies in Business Network, Bulgaria

Both High Heels Business and Young Ladies in Business networks are private communities with membership to the networks being by invitation only (e.g. referrals or direct requests). All members are required to pay an initiation fee as well as an annual membership fee. 

One of the core activities of both women-dedicated networks is the networking opportunities that facilitate professional relationships and seek to create opportunities for co-operation and collaboration through meetings and events. The network also serves as a platform for business advertising with each network member having the opportunity to promote their entrepreneurial active through the network as well as the networks’ social media presence, including through the Almanac of Women’s Businesses. The networks also organise women-focused business exhibitions, including the first women-dedicated exposition in Bulgaria – Women’s Expo. 

Moreover, the networks have been active in many campaigns related to promoting  women in business creation, including “I’m proud to be Bulgarian”, Business and motherhood go hand in hand, Business Women of the Year, Miss and Mrs. Business among other activities. The networks are also active in promoting women in business as a viable career choice and encourage women to pursue entrepreneurship through awareness raising campaigns (e.g. interviews, media appearances, online campaigns, etc.). One key outcome is the Leaders in Business – Women of the 21^st Century – which seeks to promote women’s entrepreneurship by highlight women entrepreneurial role models. This project showcases women’s’ economic, innovative and societal contributions through entrepreneurship. 

Both networks also offer business training to their members (e.g. workshops, webinars, seminars, lectures from experts, peer-learning and roundtable discussions). For example, the Young Ladies in Business Club provides entrepreneurship support through financial literacy programmes, digital marketing, personal and soft skill development, presenting/pitching as well as helping to identify available funding (e.g. grants, funds, investors, etc.).