Member Article

Chamber launches campaign to help more people start a business in Coventry & Warwickshire

A campaign to showcase the free help available for individuals who want to realise their dream of starting a new business in Coventry and Warwickshire has been launched.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is encouraging individuals across Coventry and Warwickshire to set up a new venture – and there is help at hand for them to turn their dream into a reality.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the Chamber will be sharing top tips and information from advisers and entrepreneurs who have started their own successful businesses.

It will culminate in two events at the end of September where start-ups will be able to network with like-minded individuals and hear from advisers on the support that is available.

The events will take place at Gallaghers Wine Merchants, in Rugby, from 6pm until 8pm on September 28 and then at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Innovation Centre in Binley, Coventry, from 5pm until 7pm on September 29.

During the campaign, the Chamber will provide practical tips on starting up, as well as showcasing some of the businesses that have been supported over the last few years.

Chamber advisers, who understand that starting a business can be daunting, especially considering the economic climate, will be on hand to talk through potential issues but also highlight the rewards both personally and financially.

Increasingly individuals are approaching the Chamber for support with a ‘side hustle’, where they currently work in a regular job but also have a business interest on the side that they may look to take more seriously and grow.

The Chamber can also provide lots of support for those individuals who have a skill or interest where they’ve always dreamt of starting a business but have never quite had the courage to make it a reality, as well as providing support and advice to those individuals who have recently started a business, and want help to grow or diversify.

Keely Hancox, operations manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of the economy as they have the potential to grow, take on staff and become bigger businesses over the course of time.

“In some cases, they want to start small and stay small because it’s a lifestyle choice. “Either way, they are great for the economy and here at the Chamber we can offer advice and support to those individuals who are taking the plunge. September always sees a spike in the number of people looking to start a business as they’ve had the summer holidays to think about what they want to do and might decide to take a new direction.

“We are particularly seeing more and more people who have an existing ‘side hustle’ – so a business that they run in their spare time and are considering how to pursue their venture full-time.

“We also have some great examples of people who are retired – or older-preneurs as they are affectionately known – using the knowledge they have built up during their career and turning that into a business.

“The key to making it a success is getting the right advice at the right time, and we have a great team of advisers here at the Chamber who can offer advice and support to individuals who are setting up in business, including all the basics of how to get started.

“We can even support those people that started their business recently, and are now needing advice with their marketing, sales and just generally getting the word out. Starting a business can be really rewarding, exciting and enjoyable, but we know it can be lonely and daunting at times. And sometimes that sounding board, and some impartial advice can make a massive difference.

“So, if you are coming into the Autumn and thinking about setting up, get in touch!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .