When I first became an Auto Entrepreneur in France, it was a daunting prospect. I’d worked for a large, global company in the UK and the thought of going it alone, in a new country, where I didn’t speak the language very well was scary to say the least. I joined a French class, so I could learn more about the language, and it was at one of these lessons that I heard about a group called Les Dames de FER. Set up to support small business women in rural France, I decided it was a good idea to join. It was the best decision I made.

Les Dames de FER hold networking meetings, where like-minded women meet up and talk about their businesses, share information and experiences and support each other. There are regular sessions run by members to share their skills, such as social networking, blogging and the legal system, to name a few. I have found it an invaluable group to belong to and have made loads of helpful contacts. If you have a problem, there is always someone to talk to and someone always knows the answer.

President of Les Dames de FER

As a freelance writer and marketing and communications consultant, I help people to promote their small businesses, sharing my skills with my clients and helping them with building their business and marketing plans, as well as writing website content, blogs and business articles. Being part of the Les Dames de FER group has helped me find new clients through networking with other members and the Foire Commerciale (Trade fayre) that they ran in September, gave us all a great opportunity to have a stand and show exactly what we could do and brought us a whole new group of potential clients.

Even though some of the seminars held are on subjects I know about, it’s still worthwhile going along as you always pick up extra hints and tips and it’s good to be able to discuss a particular subject with other experienced people. They are always very positive sessions and I always leave feeling fired up about my business and confident that I have a valuable service to offer to my clients.

I’ll never be a millionaire, but what I do have is worth much more than money can buy. I have a business, doing something I love and am passionate about, I have grown in self-confidence and have met loads of lovely like-minded women. The support of Les Dames de FER is second to none and I’d highly recommend them to anyone who runs their own small business here in France.

If you’d like to find out more about Les Dames de FER, take a look at their website, where you can find the application form to join.

http://www.lesdamesdefer.fr/