Member Article

Michelle Mone enterprise support review comes to Stockport

Leading entrepreneur and businesswomen Michelle Mone OBE has met businesses and managers at Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) in Reddish as part of her North West review tour aimed at tackling the barriers local entrepreneurs face when starting a successful business. Yesterday’s visit (23rd September) is part of a Government review into how to support more people from disadvantaged communities to become their own boss and make the most of the UK’s entrepreneurial heritage. Michelle was introduced to the management team, Stockport Council representatives and a variety of small businesses from a thriving 50-business strong community in the innovative centre. The centre which is owned by Stockport Council and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, combines space with mentoring services to give young entrepreneurs the very best start possible. Ms Mone commented: “A truly modern and successful economy needs to be able to unleash the entrepreneurial energy and skills of everyone in society. That’s why I’m here to talk to Stockport’s entrepreneurs about they think the biggest barriers are to turning a good idea into a flourishing business.” The UK is rated as the best place in Europe and one of the best places in the world to start a business. Since 2010, more than 60,000 new businesses have been set up through the New Enterprise Allowance scheme. However the Government wants to see more people from disadvantaged communities have the opportunity to turn their dream of being their own boss into reality. Disadvantaged communities may include areas where there is a higher level of unemployment, entrenched worklessness or lower levels of education. Ms Mone was given a guided tour of the Stockport facility by Centre Manager, John Booth, who explained: “SBIC is rooted in entrepreneurial spirit. Our vision is to create an environment where new businesses can grow and develop. I believe we demonstrated that to Michelle today, and I hope our example will inform her review. and encourage tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.” Councillor Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Thriving Economy at Stockport Council also commented: “This visit to SBIC is an illustration of the buzz around the work the Council is doing with the business community. The Council is constantly challenging itself to become more innovative in how we support business in Stockport. I’m sure Michele was impressed by the experiences of our local entrepreneurs. The affordable support, advice and facilities that SBIC offers have been ground-breaking locally as Stockport people look to turn their great business ideas into reality.” Michelle met Spark competition winners past and present including bereavement gifts business Inspired Goodbyes and training mannequin manufacturers Bariquins. She also met four brand new start-ups as well as the bosses of established and expanding ventures in the Centre. Ms Mone was chosen to lead the review after having overcome a number of barriers on her road to success. After leaving school with no qualifications and having her first child at 18, she went on to create a globally-recognised brand. Her experience pursuing her business dreams despite these and other personal difficulties, such as her father’s cancer diagnosis, will assist her to provide practical advice, so those from deprived background can turn a good idea into a flourishing business. Her review will make recommendations to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith and Business Secretary Sajid Javid in 2016.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Welton .