Features
Rebecca Kelly, Commercial Lawyer and Co-Founder of shizl, has over 20 years’ experience advising business owners on what legal documents they need and when. Rebecca’s vast experience, and that of her Co-Founders, is the inspiration behind shizl, a cost effective subscription based service which enables businesses to access high quality legal documents at a fraction of the cost of paying solicitors to draft them.
Starting one’s own business is arguably an exciting prospect. It offers many freedoms and opportunities possibly never experienced in a previous profession. In the UK, entrepreneurship is going strong, with nearly half of working age Britons considering launching their own business this year, up from 35% a year ago.
Laura Leslie, Partner at DSG Chartered Accountants (DSG), discusses her insights on navigating leadership in the traditionally male-dominated finance sector. She offers advice for other female leaders that are facing challenges, and her thoughts on how to reach your full potential following this year’s International Women’s Day.
In the fast-paced business world, leadership isn’t just about what you say, it’s about how you say it and how you present yourself physically. Your visuals and your body language speak volumes before you even open your mouth. Whether you’re in a boardroom, negotiating, or interviewing for a new position, the way you carry yourself will shape the instant perception others have of you.
A law firm’s expertise and experience are central to its value, and firms that effectively manage and utilise information have a competitive edge. As technology rapidly advances, knowledge management (KM) has transformed from simple document-sharing systems into a critical function that shapes the way legal services are delivered.
Every time I sit down with a founder, I ask one simple but revealing question: “What are you paying yourself?” I have learned after years of working with founders that their answer will not only tell me what I need to know about the state of the business but also so much of what I need to know about the person I am helping.
While headlines celebrate female entrepreneurship, there’s a concerning trend hiding in plain sight. The percentage of women-led SMEs in the UK has declined from 19% in 2021 to just 15% in 2023. Yet, at a time when nearly half of businesses are turning to freelancers to drive innovation, female micro business owners could be the key to unlocking economic growth.












