New business owners don’t need to go it alone, says Leicestershire Growth Hub

Starting a new business can seem like a daunting prospect for many. There can be so much to think about and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. With this in mind, LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub is running Business Boost: Focus on Start-up Support on 12 March 2024 for would-be and new business owners.

The free morning event will provide practical advice and support through a variety of expert speakers covering key business start-up topics for anyone thinking about or who has just started a business in Leicester and Leicestershire. Speakers will provide information on business planning, growing through social media, finance and well-being. This includes:

• Raj Raithatha, NBV Enterprise Solutions: Business Planning, your roadmap to success
• Barry Taylor, Laugh Therapy UK: March to WELLth: Happiness, Play and Laughter for Wellbeing and Business Success
• John Morley, i-Sourcer: Using LinkedIn to grow your business, what worked for me and the benefits of advertising online
• Gau Naik, Exemplas: Accessing the Right Money at the Right Time

An event highlight will be an inspirational talk by businesswoman, Sandra Wiggins entitled “You could say, I did it my way!” Sandra has forty years of diverse experience in business and working in male-influenced industries – Engineering, Logistics, Hospitality, Sign, Print & Display with the crescendo being the last ten in entrepreneurship and SME manufacturing.

Sandra’s journey inspired her to establish, in partnership, Women On Boards CIC®, an innovative social enterprise championing gender equality and opportunities for female entrepreneurs. She will share her story with lessons learned so far, including her highs and lows, the importance of relationships, and a good sense of humour.

To provide extra assistance on the day, there will be several specialist start-up support providers exhibiting at the event, who will be on hand to discuss their services and answer any questions. This includes Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, Loughborough University, Leicester Startups, the Federation of Small Businesses, First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans and NBV Enterprise Solutions.

Sue Tilley, Head of Business, Innovation and Partnerships at the LLEP, said: “Moving into self-employment and starting up can be a lonely business. It helps if you have a support network – somewhere to go for guidance or someone to bounce ideas off.

“We want people to feel supported and empowered to succeed in their new ventures, which is why we’ve organised Business Boost. It’s an opportunity to take advantage of the wealth of free help and information available, be inspired and connect with the right people and organisations.”

Business Boost: Focus on Start-up Support will take place on Tuesday 12 March at Leicester Racecourse. The event runs from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm and includes a networking lunch. Anyone interested should book via the Business Gateway website, by Friday 8 March.

Pic: Sandra Wiggins is the key speaker at Business Boost on 12 March for the LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub. (Copyright Sandra Wiggins/LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub)