'I built a business from illustrating mushrooms'

From an allotment shed on the East Durham coast, Kylie Dixon is inspiring women to put their "zany" business ideas into action.

The 45-year-old fizzes with energy as she recalls leaving behind an 18-year career in banking to follow her dream.

"I've built a successful businesses off the back of illustrating mushrooms," she said.

She has released a series of children's books with mushroom-based characters, as well as artwork and products.

"People see that as an inspiration. If she can do that, I can do this."

Dixon was awarded an MBE in 2025 for her services to female entrepreneurship.

After struggling to find affordable business advice, she set up The Northern Lass Lounge in 2020, an online community for female entrepreneurs.

"I've helped women who've wanted to post biscuits through people's doors, who've wanted to be witches and make money out of it."

She said women need more role models and support in navigating the process of setting up a company.

"We've got these beautiful businesses but then we have to backtrack and go - 'how do I submit my taxes? How do I set up a website?'"

Just 15% of all businesses in the North East are female-led, according to figures from the Gender Index 2025.

MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee published a report last year about female entrepreneurship and found only two percent of venture capital investment went to female founders.

All-male teams got 80% of the funding available.

The committee called on the government to open up investment routes for women.

It set a target for its own British Business Bank to ensure no less than 30% of the finance it makes available goes to female-led businesses.

It also called for more support outside the London area, and for more visible female role models.

The committee is now investigating whether enough progress has been made since its report was published.

Dixon said women face significant barriers to setting up their own business.

"They're burnt out and absolutely knackered."

She said the pressures of managing a household, being a mam, and the menopause all impact on running a business.

She said more childcare provision was needed and more support for women with neurodiversity.

Dixon also believes women lack confidence because of society.

"We feel muted by expectations around how we should act as women."

She said women need more encouragement "to be exactly who we want to be, with all our quirkiness and unique ideas."

She describes her community shed in Seaham as "magical" and "nostalgic".

"If the government were to plough more money into spaces like this, you'd see one heck of a difference in the economy in the area."

Claire Goodliff's latest business, Show Up Club, combines female activewear with community experiences that bring women together.

"We give them experiences to lift them up.

"The women that buy our clothes come to our events, and the women that come to our events buy our clothes."

The 44-year-old from Newcastle was one of 50 female entrepreneurs from the region who were invited to Downing Street, where they met the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to discuss the barriers they face.

They were also given the opportunity to showcase their businesses to a group of investors.

"We need to be better at talking about ourselves in a positive way," Goodliff said.

"Women have got this ability to lift others, but not themselves."

However, she is positive about the future for female entrepreneurs in the region.

"There are some real voices in the North East now that are helping raise the profile of female founders.

"Women are getting into rooms that they've not been in before, they're getting around tables that they've not been at before and I am so here for that."

Jamilah Hassan set up her property investment company, JH Property Connect Ltd, in 2024.

She said it was all about changing the narrative.

"There's just not many women - 90 percent of the investors I work with are men," she said.

"Just because you're a woman doesn't mean you don't know your numbers.

"Regardless of what's on my chest, I can still do just as good a job as your mate."

Hassan said being able to network with investment connectors at Downing Street was "insane".

"They were there to find out about your business and how they could help," she said.

She described women as "such wonderful beings" and the more women you can connect with, you can do incredible things".

"We're wired differently but in business, it can only be a huge benefit."

A government spokesperson said: "We are backing female entrepreneurs by tackling barriers and unlocking opportunities that will support their businesses and drive economic growth.

"The Invest in Women Taskforce has secured over £635m in funding for women-led businesses, with £70m invested across 15 deals in its first year."

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