The feminine art of giving advice without an ego trip

Honesty and empathy between women are two of the reasons female networks are helpful to business owners, according to Heels and Deals co-founder Claire Fenner.

Other successful entrepreneurs like her agree that women still face more trials in business, but are happy to work together.

Entrepreneurs Club president Alexandra Yung, who founded branding firm Creasians, said: 'People still trust the guy in a suit and tie walking in, especially older men. And I know from experience that when I've had a male colleague with me, I tend to close the deals much better.'

She said the 'old boys' club' culture was still pervasive in Hong Kong and was detrimental to the advancement of women entrepreneurs. 'Men will go out drinking or golfing with their mates, and they will prefer to do business with these mates,' she said.

The club's vice-president, Lizette Smook, who founded biomaterials company InnovAsians, said women were happy to give advice and share knowledge.

'You can go up to a woman and say, 'I need to know about corporate laws or labour laws', and you'll get all the answers in a nutshell,' Smook said. 'You don't get egos coming in. Women know how to talk to women. Women have an ability to support each other and to really share. We're not insecure in many ways.'