The Somerset Start Up programme continues to work with key partners in the area to help give individuals with a business idea, thinking of starting a business, or with a business in its infancy a helping hand and direction on how to get started.
In addition to the ERDF Start Up and Grow, one-to-one mentoring offered by TDA Business in Somerset, small sized group workshop have been running throughout 2019. The funded course ‘Starting Your Own Business’ offers a supportive environment to help people take positive steps forward in business and runs over five weeks.
The current course run by Somerset Business Advisor, Phil Riste has seen a number of individuals take their first steps to setting up in business. So far the programme has welcomed positive feedback. Helping local entrepreneurs set up in business and move forward confidently, armed with the necessary know-how and confidence to make a difference.
People and businesses getting involved recently include:
Emma Roberts: Podiatry
After a long career in the NHS Emma is looking to start her own podiatry business in Somerset.
Tosh Leo NYE: Fitness
With a keen interest in fitness, Tosh has plans to start up fitness classes including combat, stunt and self-defence /keep fit class which will include corporate clients.
John Toland: Retail & Education
Is looking to retail Palm Trees, he also has an area of land and potential of a Forest School venture.
Jennie Sandford: Retail
Jennie is developing a business that focuses on up- cycling clothes, accessories and shoes.
Sarah Seaman: Retail
A talented craft maker with a focus on cards, pictures and decorations.
The type of businesses is varied, but each member of the group picks up the basics of what’s involved in setting up in business including; planning, finance, marketing, sales and promotion.
Business Advisor Phil explains,
“The benefits of the structured course is that it helps provide clarity and direction. The huge amount of information out there can be difficult to navigate alone, so the course runs through the basics, to give people confidence in some of the key business areas when getting a business off the ground.”
Once the course finishes further support is available if needed, we work with a number of partners to run specific workshops that provide more specialist information that can help develop business skills, and knowledge to the next level.
If you are interested, or know somebody that may be interested in starting a course in the New Year get in touch with Phil.Riste@tda.uk.net
Our support is fully funded and free of charge to eligible businesses. The initiative is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with match funding provided by all local authorities in the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) area and two of the delivery partners.