Whether you are looking to start a new business, or are already in the early stages, Start & Grow wants to help steer your venture towards success. The scheme operates in 11 London boroughs.
The programme offers up to three years of support including one-to-one business mentoring, business training, talks from successful entrepreneurs and a selection of workshops to choose from every month. These workshops cover the back bone of information for everyone looking to start their own business, from writing a business plan to marketing strategies, legal matters and financial forecasting. Enterprise for London can also help entrepreneurs apply for the government-funded Start Up Loan scheme, which offers between £500 and £25,000 to help grow your business.
There are business advisors on hand across London, all of whom are equipped with a wealth of knowledge and experience in starting and running successful businesses in an array of different industries; from property consultancies to motor dealerships, construction companies to social enterprises and creative industries. Business advisors Giuseppe Salvati and Peng Seng Ong are available by appointment across London.
Start & Grow has already helped many people start their own business; having worked with an array of businesses in London including ‘Change Please’. With the support of The Big Issue, ‘Change Please’ has empowered homeless people by giving them the skills, equipment and speciality coffee beans they need to become fully-fledged baristas, with five coffee carts already operating in London.
Richard Salmon, chief executive, Enterprise for London, comments: “What we want more than anything is to provide clear, free advice and support that is easily accessible. Enterprise for London is made up of entrepreneurs, former bank managers and financial experts. We know that it is not easy to start and run a business and understand the challenges that will be faced. That’s why it’s important that we make it is as simple and easy as possible for our clients.”
Business development manager, Enterprise for London, Tom Bircham, says: “It’s fantastic for us to be able to help people who have such great ideas for a business, but need guidance implementing them. We are able to offer tailored support to each individual and cater to their specific needs, so whether you are new to business or more experienced, we can offer a service that suits you.”
Business advisor, Enterprise for London, Giuseppe Salvati, says: “What I love most about mentoring is the human contact, meeting new people and getting excited about someone else’s dream. It’s a fantastic feeling when people go away from an initial meeting believing that dream will become reality.”
To be eligible to join the scheme, you must be living in or looking to start your business in one of the 11 boroughs Start & Grow operates in, as well as having aspirations to employ a member of staff and be trading for at least three years.
Visit www.enterpriseforlondon.uk to register and see how it can help you.
