Female entrepreneurs need to “believe in themselves, continuously discover and develop their potential and change the way they think to be successful”, a West Midland expert has warned.

Kate Rigby, a consultant, trainer and coach, says help and support is needed to enable women to develop to competent professionals who can start businesses and develop careers.

The rallying cry comes days after Business Link West Midlands announced two events in Birmingham and the Black Country to encourage the next generation of business leaders.

Supported by Natwest and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the interactive seminars will focus on empowering people to make the most of their potential, build confidence and develop communication skills. They will look at the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how negative thinking can seriously make us “drive our business with the brakes on”.

IDelegates will have the opportunity to learn how to tap into the raft of business advice available through Business Link and its 1,000-strong “Select Supply” database.

Ms Rigby, who has worked with SMEs and multi-nationals, will be keynote speaker. She said: “The seminars will provide food for thought on how they make the next step in their careers.

“We will tackle issues like barriers to personal growth and what can be achieved by looking at situations differently so ‘if you change, the world will change with you’. I’m constantly using these techniques in business and education and the results have a powerful and lasting effect. I’m expecting the same impact on the delegates.”

The first event will be at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham tomorrow followed by a workshop at the Mount Hotel in Wolverhampton on November 26.

Both are free and aimed at entrepreneurs and female professionals plus intermediaries like banks and accountants.

Joanne Lloyd, commercial manager for NatWest and RBS for the Black Country, said: “Women have so many skills they can bring to the business world and we are determined to play our role in creating more companies with a female touch. There can be a number of barriers facing women, such as problems with work-life balance, childcare costs and fitting in with often male-dominated environments.

“However, as Kate will demonstrate in her talk, we see these as challenges we can help them meet and overcome.”

Delegates will have the chance to pose questions during the presentation and will also hear from Business Link about the one-on-one support, specialist mentoring and the ‘access to finance’ service it provides.

Carol Slater, relationship manager for the business support organisation, added: “These events are just one element of a specially tailored package of support for female entrepreneurs that will be announced shortly.

“In addition to providing an informative and educational presentation from Kate Rigby, we are also hoping that the seminars will act as a way for like-minded business people to meet, network and inter-trade.”

Anyone interested in registering can contact 0845 609 9890 or email events@businesslinkwm.co.uk