Growing female entrepreneurs’ franchise gets a boost

By Boost Business Lancashire

05 Nov 2019

suzy-orr-founder-unique-ladies-networking-with-banner.jpg

A female entrepreneurs’ networking business is expanding its franchise operations across the North West and beyond after receiving support through Boost – Lancashire’s business growth hub.

At the end of 2018, Chorley-based Unique Ladies Network had sold 15 franchises. Now, founder Suzy Orr is hitting her growth targets and has signed up a further four franchisee groups in the North West – with a launch underway in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Unique Ladies Network is designed to empower and encourage women running their own businesses, as well as enabling attendees to support each other.

Suzy entered the Growth Support Programme after attending networking events in Lancashire where she met Sue Denver at Winning Pitch, which delivers the programme on behalf of Boost.

She said: “The team at Boost go above and beyond. I’ve had constant help to raise awareness of upcoming Unique Ladies Network meetings through the Boost website and social media channels. They have been real a pleasure to work with and I would recommend the support to women in Lancashire determined to grow their business.”

Suzy has nearly 30 years’ experience as a sales and business development manager in the male-dominated IT and telecoms industry. After leaving, she missed networking and founded the Unique Ladies Network after a friend suggested she start her own network for women.

When Suzy engaged with the Growth Support Programme she had set up a Unique Ladies Network Bolton group in 2015, followed by Manchester and Preston in 2016, and Liverpool in September 2017. The events feature inspirational speakers at venues including Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End stadiums.

She added: “This form of networking is ideal for women who work at home and really benefit from the face-to-face camaraderie. My driving passion is to network and bring people together. The help from Boost to grow Unique Ladies Network means more women like me can benefit from a strong network.”

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Sue said: “Suzy has benefited from 36 hours of support and we worked together to develop an effective Growth Action Plan for her business. She also attended funded masterclasses covering starting out in business and marketing your business on LinkedIn.

“Additionally, Suzy was invited to bespoke networking sessions with other Lancashire entrepreneurs to help her build her business network and get insights from her peers. I have been on hand throughout to provide regular advice and prompts to ensure that her plan is being delivered.”

Suzy has continued to work closely with the Growth Support Programme, collaborating wherever possible at events.

In addition, a number of female entrepreneurs who have acquired franchises from her are engaging with the Boost programme.

Boost has received £3.8m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding. 

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin