Call us biased, but here at Melanmag.com, we believe that women, with our innate organisational and multitasking skillsets are natural business owners.
Yvette Ankrah, business coach and consultant, agrees with us. She has been awarded an MBE for her work supporting women in business in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017.
Yvette, who is the CEO of The Kitchen Table, and director of Ankrah Associates, is all about giving women the tangible skills and support to start up and run their businesses. Through her programmes, she gives women the tools and techniques to help them manage overwhelm, deal with procrastination and perfectionism, create their vision, set goals and create business and marketing strategies.
A long-time campaigner for better support for women in business, ahead of the 2015 General Election, Yvette co-wrote the Manifesto for Women in Business in 2015 in an effort to encourage political parties to recognise the growing numbers of women entrepreneurs. In 2015, more than 126,000 of new businesses were created by women, compare this with the 58,000 start-ups by women in 2006.
Starting her career as a a journalist, Yvette has spent the last 20 years working in marketing and business development. She followed this with further training in coaching and mentoring. After coming across business-minded women at mother and baby groups after having her son, she turned her attention and skills to supporting women.
This year’s honours list is particularly notable as it is the first time that 10% of the awards are being given to BAME individuals.
Speaking about achieving her MBE, Yvette said:
“I have been humbled and honoured to receive an award as part of the Queen’s birthday honours. As a coach to women in business, I am passionate about what I do but also campaign nationally and locally for women to get support in business. I do believe that even one person can make a difference.”
