How do youset up a business in East Durham?
‘Be Enterprising’ aim to simplify the process of setting up in business, we are here to help remove barriers which may be preventing you setting up your business. There are a variety of agencies offering assistance in setting up in business but Be Enterprising really is the best place to start, we will direct you to other agencies as and when they become useful to you, saving you time and effort.
In order to qualify for our help and support, you must live within East Durham. If you live outside the area, you may still qualify for help if you plan to establish your business here. Starting a business with Be Enterprising can be split into four stages; Initial Meeting, Planning Meetings, Funding Application and Start-up process.
To begin you need to be assigned your very own start up coach, seven experienced and helpful coaches are available, call us on either 0800 030 4134 or 0191 586 3366, someone will take your details and the relevant coach will call you back. Our Business Coaches are highly experienced and knowledgeable, they understand the local area and bring with them many skills, some have experience in finance, accounting and some even continue to run their own businesses.
First of all we will meet with you to discuss your business idea including the services or products, the market, competition, marketing and promotion this is the Initial Meeting. We will also talk to you about market research, the legalities of setting up and any other relevant issues. This is perhaps how our business coaches differ from business advisers. The coach’s focus may be to help the client to develop their ideas, identify training or educational needs and find ways to remove these barriers; the process is completely client-focused. Coaches work with people based on their needs rather than working to a fixed plan and provide necessary help and support for the individual. The first meeting will finish with agreed plan of action.
Your plan can include materials to help you to start on a business plan, plans for you to undertake market research, or give you contact details of other business support agencies that would provide additional help or expertise. A second meeting is likely to be arranged at this stage or you may be referred to our marketing adviser for a more in depth discussion on marketing and promoting your business. We may also invite you to attend one of the free workshops we run which will help improve your business skills.
From this point you will begin Planning Meetings. The number of these planning meetings will vary depending on the tasks given or evidence required. The main purpose of the planning meetings is to create a viable business idea supported by evidence as shown in the business plan. These meetings will be complete once a finished business plan has been produced.
Once the business plan is complete, your coach is likely to start a Funding Application, if funding is required. Remember, we will work with you to create a viable business plan, you will not have to do this alone. At this stage, the Business coach would have identified any additional help and support you may need and would have referred you to other appropriate agencies if necessary.
Your business plan will identify any specific needs you have to get your business started, to fund necessary start up costs your Business coach may put forward a formal funding application on your behalf. The application will be assessed alongside your business plan, and the level of funding required will be decided by your coach.
The final stage is the Start up Process, putting your business plan into practice, at this stage, your business coach may advise you of your legal obligations including advice on tax, bookkeeping and registering as self-employed. The objective is to ensure that you are fully prepared for the tasks that you will face once you are up and running. Even at this point you will not be on your own, further support will be available from Be Enterprising initially and from East Durham Business Service for the lifetime of your business.
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