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The half time whistle has blown for this season's Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme – a joint project from WIF and global small business platform Xero which provides support for women building businesses around the football industry.

The second half of the programme will kick-off soon – consisting of bespoke one-to-one mentoring as each entrepreneur has been matched with a Women in Football member who has already built a successful business of their own. To mark this milestone, we're introducing the final two women involved in the programme and telling you a bit about their fantastic companies.

 

Chloe Morfey-Greenberg

Company name: Beyond the Ball

Company established: January 2022

What does the company do? We create opportunities for women over the age of 18 to play football. We run weekly training and match sessions, seasonal leagues, one day tournaments and international trips. Through everything we run we have a strong sense of identity, that football is more than a game, it can change lives through improved mental and physical health, through raising money and awareness for causes, and promote equality.

Describe yourself: I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology, I am a highly motivated individual with alot of passion which usually results in getting involved in lots of worthwhile causes. I am empathetic, resilient, and excited to learn. 

Background connection to football: I have been a football coach for 13 years and also have a background in mental wellbeing and safeguarding. As well as running my company, I work full time as a Welfare Officer, I am Director of Women's Football at a grassroots football club and Head of the Girls section at a youth club. 

Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? I want to gain skills and knowledge which will help me make decisions in the best interests of the company in order to ensure we are around for women in the community for many years to come. 

How have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? Attending events and participating in the Leadership Course in partnership with Barclays. WIF has been a supportive source of information and inspiration which has kept me on my journey. I am more than sure I would have given up on my business endeavours without their support.

If you'd like to say hello, connect with Chloe on LinkedIn

 

Kati Jones

Company name: 4Ground Solutions

Company established: 2022

What does the company do? Our holistic approach is tailored to support demanding, high-stress working environments. We focus on implementing cost-effective staff welfare strategies that offer full-service delivery. We specialise in delivering solutions where extended operational hours are inevitable, helping team members recharge, recover, and optimise their performance. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce the long-term negative impacts of chronic stress on overall health. As we continue to grow, we are committed to integrating workplace wellbeing into the business intelligence of organisations. Through data-driven insights, we can identify areas of risk, implement personalized support, and regularly track and measure the success of wellbeing initiatives.

Describe yourself: Having lived in nine countries, I recognised early on the importance of creativity and resolution-focused thinking in overcoming daily challenges. My motivation to make a positive impact grew stronger with the birth of my two sons, which inspired me to create my first business, TheThymeLime. This venture has since evolved into 4Ground Solutions, where I’m now the Director of Health, Wellbeing and Strategic Planning.

Background connection to football: My first job was developing health and wellbeing solutions for industrial workers in Brazil. I worked at the 2014 World Cup and later joined UEFA's Commercial Operations. Now, I focus on expanding workplace health and wellbeing globally, especially in the fast-paced football and events industry.

Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? Women in Football is dedicated to creating a stronger and more diverse future. By developing Staff Welfare Strategies, 4Ground Solutions aims to promote inclusive and supportive work environments while being part of the organisation's business intelligence: staff are the most important asset. One aspect of our work focuses on providing solutions for "the players off the pitch," and I truly believe that your mentorship is a perfect fit.

What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? You are cultivating a community for women who may feel isolated and occasionally discouraged in their professional journeys. I’m grateful that you exist and is here to help me interact with like-minded women in such a supportive environment, to help me grow and succeed. I’m beyond words of what we can achieve together in this program and looking forward to the opportunity to give back to you. 

You can connect with Kati on LinkedIn here

 

Empower, mentor, succeed

For a second consecutive year, Women in Football and Xero are offering promising businesses a comprehensive package of support, in a 'game of two halves' format, through the Small Business Programme.

The programme provides a culture of belonging and empowerment which offers those taking part the opportunity to connect with other women facing the same daily obstacles.

The first half of the Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme develops participants' enterprise skills, knowledge and professional networks. Seven in-person and online workshop sessions cover useful topics such as business finance, starting or growing your business, branding, networking and looking ahead to being an effective and inclusive employer. 

The second half provides one-to-one mentoring by matching up the entrepreneurs with Women in Football members who have already built successful businesses of their own.

The inaugural programme, which took place over the course of this past year, was a roaring success, featuring a cohort of 12 brilliant female entrepreneurs, and a wide range of business types including a tech company, an underwear retailer, a social agency and various consultancies.

Read more about Julie and Zoe,  Michelle, Claire and Lucy, Ana, Hannah and Lois, Floss and Tracy, Geraldine and Alex and Jodie and Gemma from this years programme. And if you're looking for more, you can also check out the highlights from last year’s programme.

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