Want to grow a new business in Biggleswade? Free advice, support, coaching and grants offered in Bedfordshire
Help is at hand with free support, advice and grants on offer thanks to Government funding for Central Bedfordshire.
It doesn’t matter what your business is, or how small – it might only be an idea on paper – the not-for-profit group Wenta is here to help.
Case study
Take Sophie Dean for example, her voiceover business was a sideline to get her some extra income, but thanks to Wenta she is now looking to make it a full-time job.
“I was an actor and found voiceover originally as a side hustle to keep working creatively when acting work was sparse,” she said.
“I would like to keep growing my business and my repeat client base to hopefully earn enough money to go full-time.”
She provides voiceover narration for businesses worldwide – explainer videos, commercials, telephone messages and e-learning.
Why did you join the programme?
“Because they offered a wealth of free training resources. The advisors are great and really know their stuff. I was also interested in their networking events,” she says.
What support have you enjoyed?
“I received a match-funded grant that I used towards voiceover coaching. The application wasn’t too tricky, there were some things I didn’t know how to fill out in the business plan but I got full support with that.”
How has that support helped your business?
“The coaching I had was invaluable and I have learned techniques that I apply every day in my voiceover work. My yearly turnover has increased since having the coaching and I have more repeat clients.”
How does the scheme work?
Wenta has helped over 83,000 businesses since 1983. It’s now working on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council to deliver the Central Start Programme and has more than £55,000 to give away in one-off grants by the end of March.
It’s free to join and includes 1-2-1 advice, 12-hours of training and support and the chance to apply for a grant.
Georgina Wark, Head of Digital, Communication & Marketing at Wenta“Our business advisors have been there and got the tee-shirt."
Georgina adds: “They are all independent advisors, who have been through the process of setting up their own businesses, so they understand.
“The beauty of that is that a new business start-up need not be alone, just having someone to talk it through with can be really helpful – starting out on your own can be a lonely thing.”
Georgina says the scheme is there for any kind of business – the single-parent wanting to run a part-time business from home in the evenings, someone ready to branch out as a sole trader or someone with a business idea they want to get off the ground.
All you need to do is read the criteria, register your interest and book your free 1-2-1 session with an advisor and they will talk you through everything you need to know.