Bradford Council helps new local businesses “thrive” with funded programme

Two new businesses are “thriving” thanks to the support of Bradford Council funded programme. The Build Your Business scheme is helping local entrepreneurs to start their new ventures and assisting any growing businesses started within the last 12 months.

With an experienced team of Enterprise Coaches from Bradford Trident, Impact Hub Bradford, Inspired Neighbourhoods, and CNET who are located across the Bradford district, this free enterprise support programme is designed to deliver one-to-one business coaching and is funded by Bradford Council.

The Enterprise Coaches provide a personalised and guided approach, helping entrepreneurs meet their business goals, however large or small. Build Your Business coaching is available to offer support, irrespective of the business sector.

Recent successes from this free scheme include Harleen Kaur from Club Ekta and self-employed interpreter Kateryna who are among those who have been supported this year.

Harleen Kaur, kickboxing champion, who was the first British Asian female to represent England in the sport, founded Club Ekta in 2021, with the vision of championing women and celebrating sisterhood through sports, socials and events.

She said: “It started off with a group of women playing football in a park in Manchester Road and now we are running seven classes a week including yoga, equestrian beginner classes etc. We also run regular holiday clubs for kids as well as hosting social and networking events.

“The Build your Business program has helped me think back, reflect, and make the right changes as an entrepreneur. It has also helped me identify areas where I can improve and provided me with tools to grow my business.”

Kateryna Gavrilina had been living in the UK for several years before her parents joined her after fleeing the war in Ukraine. She supported them to settle in the Bradford district and found herself becoming a full-time interpreter for them and other Ukrainian refugee families in the community.

Kateryna stumbled upon the ‘Build your Business’ programme by accident when a business coach saw her interpreting at a doctor’s surgery and following a discussion, he suggested she should pursue a career as an interpreter.

Build your Business has supported her to register as self-employed and with Enable2 Interpreting Services in Bradford, she is now providing interpreting services and supporting Ukrainian nationals at hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and jobcentres.

She added: “I am so pleased I am helping my people throughout this very difficult period, I feel I am contributing just like the soldiers on the frontline defending our land. Any support I can provide I will.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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