It seems there is no let up in the number of people wanting to be their own boss. Starting a business isn’t always as easy as it seems but with professional guidance business ideas can be turned into success.
The Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea) offers advice and business planning courses to anyone thinking of setting up a business. The statistics show that people who seek this type of involvement from business advisers at the outset are 20% more likely to go on to make a success of their new venture. Colbea’s contribution to the local economy in Colchester and Tendring is undoubted. On average they see about 2,000 people from the region each year and help around 120 businesses get off the ground. They also advise existing businesses, either in a trouble-shooting capacity or in order to help owners and directors move on to the next stage of growth.
Feedback is always obtained from Colbea’s course delegates who end the course with a business plan that is professional enough to take to the banks if they need to ask for funding. Paula Deegan, who is setting up a baby and children’s wear retail business said: “At the beginning of the business planning course I felt confident but bewildered, now I just feel confident!” Sarah Hazelton, who was about to open a café/bar added: “I felt like I didn’t have a clue how I was going to work out my business plan. Now I know that I need to do some extra work but I have a clear idea about various aspects of business, especially accounting and tax. I’d say to anyone thinking of taking the course, definitely do it – I can’t imagine starting a business without it; it’s invaluable.”
