Help is out there for start-up businesses

Have you ever thought about starting up your own business?

Most people have at some time, but many of them get no further.

At a time of cutbacks and redundancies, though, working for yourself can look like the best option for some to return to work, or to advance their careers.

At our business centre in Clowne we’ve had a busy start to 2011 with growing numbers of people wanting to find out about setting up their own businesses.

It always amazes people just how diverse the list of existing and new businesses can be in small towns.

In one week alone I met with a signwriter, a car maintainer, a music promoter, a hand-made chocolate provider, a children’s clothing retailer, a nutritionist and a child minder.

One thing they all have in common, though is their keenness to learn more about how to grow their businesses successfully.

In the UK up to one in three new businesses will fail within the first three years, but people who consult a business coach will double their chance of success!

For most people setting up a business couldn’t be easier – just one phone call to the tax office and you’re away.

Over the coming months I’ll write more about how the successful ones get it right, and I’ll talk about the progress of some of the newer businesses in our area.

Meanwhile, if you want free advice on setting up your own business, give me a call on 07973 522772, or email paul@clowne-enterprise.org.uk

Paul Davies from Clowne Business Forum
Printed in: Worksop Guardian, Friday, February 25, 2011