Thanks to the Internet, there is now a wealth of information and support available on starting up and running your own business.

But as is the nature of the net, the more you look, the more you find and the more confusing it becomes. Some pieces of advice are of more use than others while, reams of it is not relevant at all.

Websites from organisations such as Business Link or the South East England Development Agency are helpful but have so much information on them that they can be daunting for those just wanting very succinct guidance on who to speak to.

It can lead the would-be entrepreneur scratching their head, wondering what to do first. The problem was identified by motivational speaker and business coach Sue Stockdale during meetings of the womens networking group in Faringdon which she helps to run.

Women going through the process for the first time can have time pressures through childcare and need clear pointers and a sounding board with other like-minded individuals.

As a result, she has retrenched her business, Mission Possible Oxfordshire, to become a web portal offering information to women starting up in business.

She said: "I found when I was doing motivational presentations that there was a lack of confidence among women who feel as if they don't know whether they can do it. That is where this can help.

"We understand the issues that women face today in juggling work, life and family issues and the site provides help and advice on a broad range of topics from locating local networking groups to learning from women who are already running successful businesses.

"I can bring in the motivational side and my own experience."

The site will allow women to list their businesses and contact details and also to use it for online marketing and referral.

There will also be a regularly updated list of networking events which will allow those using the service to meet face-to-face.

And there will be help with areas such as childcare, further education and even pets - issues which frequently stand in the way of the first time entrepreneur but are overlooked by traditional business advisers.

Ms Stockdale said: "The idea is to build it up and share information through a single portal." Once the local site is running effectively, Ms Stockdale hopes to franchise the running of similar sites across the country.

She added: "Someone would buy up the rights for their particular county and generate networking contacts and referrals for that area."

Revenue will come from advertising and a membership scheme. Linked events and workshops could be used to offer discounts.

The site is now up and running and the more people that contribute advice and information, the more useful it will become.

The portal is the latest development in the career of Ms Stoickdale who has held senior roles in corporate training and development and implemented major management initiatives in organisations ranging from British Gas to the United Nations.

In 1997, she founded Mission Possible her company which focuses on inspiring women into business.

Also she has hit the headlines on a number of occasions, most notably with her achievement in becoming the first British woman to walk to the magnetic North Pole.

She has an MSc in Quality Management and Improvement, an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing and lectures at various universities on business and enterprise.

In addition, Ms Stockdale is an accomplished athlete and has represented Scotland in 3000m and cross country events.

Now she is channelling all her energies into making her latest venture a success.

She said: "I want to use the technology as an efficient way of signposting people to the right resources.

"The theory behind it is that women often need to look at vast amount of information if they want to start a business. I want to offer it all in one place."

"My ambition is to help women across the UK start up in business - that was my driving force for doing this."

n Contact: www.missionpossible.co.uk