corporate world BUSINESS SERVICES All the local people you need to know to get your business off the ground

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You’ve got a great business idea but how do you develop it? And who can help with the financial plan or the marketing strategy? Here are the local organisations teeming with advice and networking opportunities to help you on your way

G

etting professional guidance is crucial when starting up your own business. Most people, quite naturally, don’t have the full house when it comes to the skills needed to give your business a sporting chance of success. Luckily, there are loads of organisations in and around Exeter whose very purpose is to help people get that dream idea off the ground.

HEART OF THE SOUTH WEST GROWTH HUB The aim of the Hub is to help businesses at any stage of operation, of any size and from any sector. They provide free information, advice and guidance, and organise events relating to any topic. Their service works in partnership with existing local and national business support services and they have a special division specifically for startups in the area. www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk

ENHANCE If your start-up idea is all about giving back to the community, then the Enhance Social Enterprise programme is a good first point of contact. The enterprise network brings together new and existing members from across Devon and Somerset to form an umbrella network that will provide events, training and networking opportunities across the region. Members will receive opportunities for additional support programmes and peer-learning.

“A strong social enterprise network helps to create a healthy ecosystem for growth and development and by creating Enhance Social Enterprise Network we not only want to provide opportunities for individual businesses to develop, we also want to support the sector to contribute to our local economies and ultimately change the world for the better!” says project manager at lead partner Devon Communities Together, Dr Louise MacAllister. www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk

BUSINESS & IP CENTRE The two centres in Exeter and Barnstable libraries provide support to all business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors. What can you access? A huge collection of online databases and publications, plus practical workshops, one-to-one advice sessions and inspiring talks. Some of the events coming up include: 12 March: Employing People: 10 Top Tips (Exeter) 25 March: Lloyds Bank Digital KnowHow: Facebook and Instagram Advertising (Barnstaple) 30 April: Business Startups: 10 Top Tips (Exeter) 26 May: How to use IBISWorld Market Research (Exeter) Exeter Library, Castle Street, Exeter/ Barnstable Library, Tuly Street, Barnstaple; www.bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk

EXETER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The organisation represents, informs and helps local businesses, and boasts close to 500 companies in its membership directory.

The gang from Enhance Social Enterprise Network The representational role includes regular quarterly meetings with local MP, Ben Bradshaw, as well as meetings with representatives and oٻcers from the +ity and +ounty +ouncils.

A varied programme of events is organised; the next one is on 26 February at the Deer Park Country House, Honiton. Expect networking on arrival, drinks and a two-course lunch in the wonderful surroundings of the Deer Park Hotel. www.exeterchamber.co.uk

THE LIGHTHOUSE, SIDMOUTH <he 4ighthouse, just off the high street in Sidmouth, is a laid back cafu style shared oٻce space, with monthly masterclasses · perfect for solo workers and entrepreneurs who want to network in a friendly environment. They’ve just launched monthly networking with a twist events, which will see a *usiness book club, <ea  <E, talks · with opportunities to inspire, educate and to spark discussion. “One of our key goals when we set up The Lighthouse is to build a community where self-employed people can gather to learn from each other, find mutual support and combat the isolation of working alone,º says Cathy Debenham, co-founder of The Lighthouse. “Our mantra is that workingforyourself, doesn’t mean workingby yourself! “Everyone who starts in self-employment brings a basket of skills, but they probably also lack another basketful. By getting together and getting to know each other we find people we can collaborate with, learn from and do business with.” www.thelighthousesidmouth.org

¹<ISe tiUe to ÅnL yo]r identity, it’s what sets you apart from the competition”

BUSINESS TALKS Two Exeter companies give their top tips on building up a business

CHRIS BOLT Trainee director of Stalite Signs COMPANY PROFILE: Stalite Signs produce all aspects of modern day and traditional signage to suit any business needs. They have been around since 1904.

What should be one of the first things people do when setting up a business? Get their branding and logo organised. Know how they want their business to look.

Any events that you would suggest going to locally to help network? Exeter Chamber of commerce do lots of lunches with great speakers, Hampton by Hilton do some lovely business breakfasts; all good for making connections in the local business community. South West Business Connections are always good too – again another breakfast, you can’t go wrong if food is involved!

Do you think Exeter is a good place to start a business – what are the opportunities here? We have some really strong industrial estates in Exeter. We are in Sowton, but Pynes Hill is an up and coming area with lots of serviced office space great for smaller start-ups. www.stalite.co.uk

PHIL BEATTIE Managing director of Luxury Coastal COMPANY PROFILE: The company offer holidays in coastal cottages, apartments and lodges across the South West and started up last year.

What great advice have you received yourself about starting a business? The hardest part is deciding to take the plunge and start, once you get over the first big hurdle it’s about keeping the momentum going. Any events that you would suggest going to locally to help network? There are some wonderful events and networking opportunities in the area. Choose wisely and don’t try and be at everything, it’s a balance between the day job and expanding your knowledge and network. The South West Business Expo is one of the best events in the area, with hundreds of business owners under one roof.

Do you think Exeter is a good place to start a business? It’s an amazing talent pool, with great transport links and lots of like-minded businesses and individuals who are passionate about supporting each other.

How did you go about building our brand? “It all started with our name – Luxury Coastal. The name embodied who we wanted to be and what we stand for – the finest quality selfcatering accommodation across the South West. Take time to find your identity, it’s what sets you apart from the competition and it’s what your customers buy in to. Living and breathing your brand and business will help to grow a loyal and engaged customer base.

Also make sure to research your business domain name and if it’s available, be sure to register it!

How about social media? “We quickly started to grow our Facebook and Instagram following. As a new business, your customers are likely to research who you are before they commit to spending with you, which means an up to date, engaging social presence is key.

As soon as we were able to upgrade our website, we appointed a specialist travel web agency to deliver a website that really showed off our brand. Your website is your shop window, so it’s important to invest in this area.”

Any other tips on building a business? It’s tough to make a business bullet proof and we are always mindful of the fact that more businesses fail than succeed. Most people start a business because they have a lot of experience in the field and are passionate about what they are going to do. We have both which makes the long hours required easier to deal with.

Be as flexible as you can be in the early days so you can be open to new opportunities that others may miss. It’s as much about timing and being agile as anything else.