ActionCOACH West Herts celebrates Dacorum businesswomen on International Women's Day

ActionCOACH West Herts is recognising businesswomen in Dacorum and the work they do in the community today - International Women's Day (March 8).

Lorna Smith, finance expert, partner and business coach at ActionCOACH West Herts is proud to work with local businesswomen in the community who have made a big impact or pivoted their services during the pandemic.

She said: “At ActionCOACH West Herts we help passionate and committed business owners and leaders by supporting them, creating time and space for them to thrive in to achieve their dreams and aspirations, not only for their business but for their personal lives too.

"This year, International Women’s Day allows us to celebrate our incredible female clients who have successfully pivoted their services despite the most testing 12 months for businesses I can remember.

Candice Mason, of Masons Minibus and Coach Hire in Long Marston, believes there is a good chance that COVID-19 could be the starting point for a turnaround in attitudes and the perception of, and by, women in the coach and bus industry.

She believes the pandemic has offered an opportunity to look at equality and the long-lasting change within the industry.

By utilising their downtime during the pandemic, Masons has provided essential vaccination transport for the vulnerable and elderly.

Candice said: "Throughout the pandemic, we’ve been able to conduct vaccination transport, transporting over 100 local residents, which has been extremely rewarding.

"When we received the news about the vaccination roll out, I suddenly thought about the big groups of our clients who are in the vulnerable age category.

"I contacted these clients, while also sharing the news online. Our offer to help was reshared so much that local GP surgeries even started to call about patients who may need transport!

"The vaccination centres were extremely accommodating – they even came out and did some vaccinations on one of our coaches.

“I believe women add a certain amount of flare to questioning how male-dominated industries work and can get to the bottom of challenges faced by the industry."

Despite her spa having to close its doors during lockdowns, Gemma Depiano, Director of Cheek Medispa in Kings Langley, has launched an online shop, as well as optimising and modifying her website.

Clients have been able to order their favourite spa products to their homes and receive online consultations.

The success of pivoting her business has enabled Gemma to keep all of her staff employed and provide products to help customers with their sense of wellbeing.

She said: “We were impacted massively by the pandemic and there seemed to be a big disconnect between female-dominated industries like ours in health and beauty versus those in traditionally male-dominated sectors like construction.

"We could offer COVID-safe services but still had to close whilst I was still allowed tradesmen in my home to upgrade my bathroom.

"However, with ActionCOACH’s help, I was able to overcome that mindset and create something positive by launching my online shop.

"The shop and online consultations have been a real lifeline through lockdowns as they have provided me with another source of income,” said Gemma.

“My primary focus as a business owner is ensuring treatment excellence and outstanding results for my clients.

"To be able to continue to do this in some form throughout the pandemic has been brilliant.”

Alongside a local Hertfordshire-based life coach, Action Coach, Lorna is to launch women’s support club, The Empow(d)er Room, within the coming months.

The unique club will offer local businesswomen the perfect blend of business and life coaching, helping them to tackle any business or personal challenges they may be facing.

After a challenging year ActionCOACH West Herts want to create a club where women can gain knowledge, build confidence, reset and move forward with focus.

To find out more about ActionCOACH West Herts and the work they do to support local businesses in the community, click here.