SITTING in the Four Seasons Tea Rooms, Shabnam Gul is reflecting on what pushed her to run her own business.

“I think Asian women have always had it in them," she says. "But I think they need that support, to encourage them. With me it was always my mum, when I discussed it with her she was like yeah go for it.”

The 38-year-old, who runs the tea rooms with a business partner, is part of a new group of up-and-coming Asian businesswomen who are joining forces to help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“Being Asian, to see someone else putting effort into it, making it a success, it inspires them to take that next step as well. It might give them a push if they pop in, have a little chit chat. discuss ideas and off they go."

Shabnam is one of a growing number of 'Instagrammers' posting about their lives and businesses on social media, and gaining a legion of fans in the process.

She was joined earlier this month by fellow entrepreneur Aamena Adam to host a 'pop-up event' at the tea rooms aimed at networking with other Asian businesswomen as well as their fans.

“We met through Instagram and networking at previous charity events," explains 30-year-old Aamena, who runs Eskay Apothecary organic natural skincare.

"Since then we kept in touch and supported one another. We have all created a community of supporters from across the UK online, however, we noticed that Blackburn is a town of many talented individuals who struggle to get the exposure they deserve.

"Our aim is to bring them together, to support one another and to encourage our community to support more local businesses.”

Both working mothers, the pair hope that by speaking about the challenges they have faced in launching a business and what their work means for young Asian girls, that they can help others to achieve their ambitions.

“I used to be a social worker, but I always wanted to do something else," adds Aamena.

"I started looking into natural skincare for my own health.

“There’s a market for people wanting to be more clean and green, but people don’t know what they’re buying.

"My main focus is to educate them in what they need for their skin.”

Aamena says she believes women should always support other women and hopes that her example will help others.

“As women that’s where our success lies as well, women supporting women. Helping each other to do the best, rather than seeing each other as competition.”

The women have had to work around their busy lives, but maintain that having a passion is what led them to start their own companies.

“I’ve always had this passion since I was 10-years-old," says Shabnam.

"I always wanted a vintage tea room, plus my mum had a crazy vintage tea set at home and I wanted to apply that. My mum was a huge inspiration.

“Juggling social lifestyle with the business as well as working, balancing it all out is hard, but when you have a strong head on you, you can do everything."

“Being Asian, to see someone else putting effort into it, making it a success, it inspires them to take that next step as well. It might give them a push if they pop in, have a little chit chat, discuss ideas and off they go."

Their efforts have not gone to waste and praise has flooded in for their work on social media.

“We did it. We had our first event and have shown what we can do and we have encouraged younger girls too," adds Aamena.

"I’ve had some inspiring comments on Instagram. We hope that following this event we will go on to organise many more in the future.”

Their success has prompted Shabnam to host more events at her tea rooms, with an evening for women this Saturday.

The karaoke night will include food, dancing and a relaxed space for all women to attend.

“It’s a reason for women to have a bit of fun, come out the house, have a good laugh with their friends and make new friends too," says Shabana.

“It is somewhere to go, without having to think I can’t go here, I can’t wear this. They can overcome that barrier."