Female-specific business support ‘stifles economic growth’
April 6, 2011 – 2:45 am 
Speaking at the Comment Conference in London, the entrepreneur, who since appearing on Lord Sugar’s show has become an advisor to small companies on building a brand, said rather than create more successful female business owners, women-specific initiatives actually hinder progress.
“The separatist approach often stifles the engines of economic growth,” she said. ”We need to focus on equipping the individual for business within a framework they will actually work in. Women aren’t going to operate in an environment of just women unless they join the Women’s Institute!”
Hopkins said female-specific support is not an approach she follows when advising business owners.
“Business is a very mixed team event,” she added. “It’s pointless me coaching females for a sprint event as business is all about endurance. It’s equally pointless if I coach them around female only support. When they get on the pitch there will be all sorts competing. They could face Mike Tindall!” Continuing her thoughts, Hopkins said while talking about women being more nurturing and collaborative then men, which many schemes do, is “great”, “it isn’t helpful when female entrepreneurs are looking for finance”.
