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Today we're hosting the fourth session of this season's Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme – a brilliant project from WIF and global small business platform Xero which provides support for women building businesses around the football industry. To mark the occasion we're introducing two more women who are involved in the programme and telling you a bit about their fantastic companies.

 

Floss Andrews

Company name: Mindset Five

Company established: July 2001

What does the company do? Mindset coaching for professionals in the football industry (both sides of the white line, i.e. playing and business side).

Describe yourself: Over my career I have experienced the intensity of working in sport and the impact it can have. I now help other professionals in the industry to train their mindset to not only withstand the intensity, but to thrive. I'm based in Norfolk, I'm married to a farmer, and have two teenage children. 

Background connection to football: I have 20 years’ experience in the football industry, including in sponsorship and events at the Premier League, as a Match Manager at Chelsea, QPR and Norwich City and on the inside of a football club and academy at Norwich City FC.

Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? Up until I founded Mindset Five in 2021 I have always been an employee, so running my own business is completely new. What I do is the easy bit, so I am looking for support and advice on enabling all of the bits that will enable me to do it to the best of my ability, and therefore help the most amount of people I can.

How have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? The network I have developed through WIF is unbelievable.  Especially for someone setting up on their own. I just wouldn't have had access to it all without WIF.  

If you'd like to say hello, connect with Floss on LinkedIn.

 

Tracy Light

Company name: Inclusive United

Company established: June 2023 with sessions starting in September 2023.

What does the company do? Inclusive United CIC is a grassroots community interest company, established in response to the lack of opportunities available for young adults (18+) with learning disabilities, neurodiversity, special educational needs, or additional needs. For many, accessing mainstream sports activities can be challenging. Recognising this gap, Inclusive United CIC offers inclusive sports sessions during weekday daytime hours, where provision for this underrepresented group is limited. At the heart of our mission is improving confidence and self-esteem through teamwork and interaction and levelling up the opportunities.  Inclusive United are already witnessing the positive impact these sessions have on participants, helping them break down barriers to sports participation. Our inclusive activities are designed to be both fun and transformative, providing young adults, who are often socially isolated, with opportunities to enhance their long-term health, fitness, and mental wellbeing, while feeling included like their peers. By focusing on accessibility and inclusivity, we are striving to create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive through sport.  Sports include football, futsal, multi-sports and yoga and pilates inspired wellbeing sessions. 

Background connection to football: I have been a volunteer coach since 2015 in inclusive football (when my eldest son joined team) taking on part time employment in the role of Head of Inclusive Section at St Albans City Youth FC in 2021. Co Founder and Secretary of Herts Youth Inclusive Football for 7 years – pan disability league, worked closely with Watford FC CSE Trust, Herts FA Inclusion Group member, Co-Founder of Inclusive United CIC, supporter of husband's club - Fighting Fit Football for people with Parkinson’s, walking football player at Inclusive United.

Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? To be part of something positive and grow confidence to help take our CIC to the next level, keen to learn and equally share knowledge with others, make connections and receive expert business input and mentorship.

What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? I found WIF in 2020 and its been brilliant to be part of a supportive community that has helped me in my work and personal development. I'm constantly learning and feel positive and inspired. I was also a named writer for Football She Wrote which was fantastic to be part of. Thank you for the work you do at WIF.

You can connect with Tracy on LinkedIn here.

 

Empower, mentor, succeed

For a second consecutive year, Women in Football and Xero are offering promising businesses a comprehensive package of support, in a 'game of two halves' format, through the Small Business Programme.

The programme provides a culture of belonging and empowerment which offers those taking part the opportunity to connect with other women facing the same daily obstacles.

The first half of the Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme develops participants' enterprise skills, knowledge and professional networks. Seven in-person and online workshop sessions cover useful topics such as business finance, starting or growing your business, branding, networking and looking ahead to being an effective and inclusive employer. 

The second half provides one-to-one mentoring by matching up the entrepreneurs with Women in Football members who have already built successful businesses of their own.

The inaugural programme, which took place over the course of this past year, was a roaring success, featuring a cohort of 12 brilliant female entrepreneurs, and a wide range of business types including a tech company, an underwear retailer, a social agency and various consultancies.

Check out the highlights from last year’s programme

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