Aspiring entrepreneurs in Coventry and Warwickshire are being given the chance to step closer to their dream at a special event taking place today to mark Start-Up Day.
People thinking of setting up their own business can discuss their ideas over a coffee as part of a national event celebrating start-up businesses.
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is running a Reach For The Sky coffee morning at its headquarters at the Coventry University Technology Park as part of Start-Up Day on Friday, October 11.
The event will encourage people who are thinking of establishing their own company to talk through their plan with a business adviser, as well as offering help to those who have started within the past 12 months and may want some advice on how to grow.
The event is part of the chamber’s Start-Up Business Programme, which forms part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Knowing there is support out there
Hardeep Sandhu, enterprise coach team leader at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s important that individuals know that there is support out there when they are thinking of starting a business or have just established one.
“Coventry and Warwickshire is a hive of entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of the regional economy. It’s vital, therefore, that we support those companies to give them the best chance to grow.
“The Reach For The Sky coffee morning offers an informal chance to pop in and talk through a business idea, which could lead to an opportunity for further support via our start-up programmes.”
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has seen lots of success stories via its Start-Up Business Programme.
One is a north Warwickshire business which is enjoying the sweet smell of success after making the most of the programme.
Lisa Organ, from Atherstone, launched Lisa’s Sweet Treats as a full-time business earlier this year after giving up her job as a project manager at a technology company.
The company, which provides sweet carts for weddings and corporate occasions, was launched with the support of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s start-up team.
Weighing up the idea
Lisa said: “I’d always wanted to be my own boss and I had been weighing up the idea of corporate sweets business for a while.
“The more I looked into it, the more convinced I was that there was a gap in the market and that’s when I decided I wanted to pursue the idea more seriously.”
Lisa added: “I was always confident about my business case but I was also a little bit nervous about fully committing to the idea.
“I searched online to find out more about the help and assistance that was available to start-ups in Coventry and Warwickshire and came across the chamber.”
Advice and guidance
Through the chamber Lisa was given advice and guidance on a range of aspects involved in setting up a company full-time.
She also received one-to-one mentoring from a business advisor who provided support on sourcing and securing financial assistance.
“Financial planning was one of the most challenging aspects of setting up my own business but luckily my mentor gave me advice on planning – it gave me confidence in the early stages,” said Lisa.
“There are pressures that come with having your own company but the sense of personal fulfilment is second to none.”
Since going full-time, Lisa’s Sweet Treats has gone from strength to strength.
Lisa added: “I’m working with a well-known hotel chain and enquiries are starting to pour in. I’ve been able to expand the range of products on offer and I’ve also established an online presence.
“It’s a really exciting time for the business and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Keely Hancox, operations manager at Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are thrilled to see Lisa’s business really taking off.
“It’s a great example of someone who wanted to launch their own company and had a great idea for a business, but just needs some advice and support around the day-to-day running of your own firm.
“That’s where we have been able to help and we look forward to watching Lisa’s Sweet Treats flourish.”
