Taking the
leap into the unknown and deciding to start your own business can be a big,
scary decision. To help people who have
made the commitment to take this step, Wirral Chamber of Commerce, in
partnership with the Enterprise Hub offer free business start-up workshops for
any eligible party living in the Liverpool City Region.
When
Suzanne Rippon chose to follow her heart and go it alone, the Enterprise Hub
gave her the start she needed.
Suzanne
first contacted to the Enterprise Hub in February 2018 looking for support to
set up a Community Hub/Community Event Planning business in Liscard. Having recently resigned from her job,
Suzanne was starting on her enterprise journey with some trepidation.
Her goal
was to start up a community market in the Grosvenor Ballroom in Liscard, with the
idea of renting tables out to local residents and businesses, giving them a
space to promote their business and make sales. The owner of the Grosvenor
Ballroom was keen to provide support for her idea with premises and
tables. Suzanne came to see Paul at the
Enterprise Hub, with a view to putting on a ‘fun day’ for local children in
Liscard offering face-painting and other fun activities.
During
Suzanne’s Enterprise Hub journey, she attended a number of workshops – Start-Up
& Business Planning and Marketing & Social Media. It was clear that networking
and getting feedback from the local community should play a big role of Suzanne’s
strategy, she was advised to contact local counsellors, community champions and
organisations to find out how her initiative would best fit in with the local
provision.
Suzanne received valuable help
and advice on the most effective way to run the promotional day. This included the
sharing of contacts, getting in touch with compatible, local businesses and
liaising with local stall holders and interested parties. This was all done in
conjunction with Wirral Chamber’s Love Liscard initiative who are able to help
promote local businesses on social media.
Town Hosts Ian and Arfon were instrumental in promoting the event as
well as providing ‘boots on the ground’ help with delivering leaflets and
spreading the word among local businesses and shoppers.
Suzanne told us, “The love Liscard team and
the Wirral chamber are absolutely amazing! I went with an idea to start a new
chapter of my life and they have been my rock through my journey of ups and
downs. Ian and Harry are the most amazing support and are on hand with support
and guidance all the time. I can honestly say I couldn’t have done this without them!! They are my heroes.”
The programme supports those who are eligible and want to start-up
and are yet to register their business, make their business dreams come true.
The half-day workshops take place on a monthly basis with experts
from Wirral Chamber of Commerce providing attendees with a range of support to
help them gain the knowledge and
confidence to start their own business.
If you are considering or in the process of starting your own
business would like more info on the Enterprise Hub then contact us on enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8113
