PRIME business club

Date: Wednesday 15 July and Tuesday 8 September, 2009
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Central London

Meeting and building relationships with business contacts can be a real challenge, especially if you’re starting from scratch. This networking event will make it easy and enjoyable for you to meet like-minded people in an informal setting.

The event will include:

Networking activities

Hints and tips on how to best use your time to make quality contacts and what to do with them after the evening is over

One-to-one business advice sessions with John Mitchell

One-to-one benefits advice sessions with Shirley Spong

Workshop with Penny Power on how to network effectively both at the event and online, and how to turn those new contacts into business

Inspirational story from the guest speaker 

Event speakers

John Mitchell

John is an acknowledged specialist on self-employment for disabled and disadvantaged people who has recently assisted the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in the development of the Business Support Simplification Programme launched in 2008.

Shirley Spong

Shirley started work for Greenwich council in 1983 providing free legal representation.
After three years she moved to work in a law centre as a specialist tribunal worker in what was then the third poorest borough in London. Shirley is currently working with Business Link in London to develop supportive and accessible programmes for would-be Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs that overcome the barriers that the benefit system creates.

Penny Power

In 1998 Penny came up with the idea of Ecademy, a Social Business Network to connect business people for learning, career and business development. Glenn Watkins joined Penny right at the beginning becoming Chief Executive in 2001.

Glenn built the business whilst Thomas Power took over as the front person for Ecademy. Penny spent time bringing up the children, remaining in the background of Ecademy, but always watching and contacting members.

Booking details

Reserve your place at this event on Wednesday 15 July, Stamford Street - Opens in a new window

Reserve your place at this event on Tuesday 8 September, Euston Road - Opens in a new window

Made redundant at 52, and suffering from Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME), the Job Centre told Tony Palmer that his chances of paid employment were slim. Tony took matters into his own hands and started his own engraving business.

Crystal Mountain Glass sells engraved awards, wedding gifts, decanters, bowls, and paperweights, as well as rock tablets with multilevel carving, and Swarovski crystals. Tony bulk buys the glass from a supplier in Scotland, and engraves it in a 12ft x 15ft workshop in his back garden. Prices vary, with engraved pet tags at £5, Swarovski Suncatchers from £15, and Champions Trophies at £250.

Tony was made redundant in April 2008. He applied for jobs, but was never granted an interview. Tony suspected this was due to his age and health issues, and the Job Centre agreed with him. Tony says ‘I sat down and discussed it with my wife Marion. We chose self-employment because it was the only option’. On the 1st September 2008, the business was launched.

Starting up

Tony cashed in his pension to buy his equipment and start the business. The equipment cost around £12,000 as some of it had to be imported from America. By giving up his pension, Tony runs the risk of relying on job seekers allowance if the business is unsuccessful. Yet Tony is confident in his ability, and so far, all is going well.

Tony’s first step to becoming self-employed was to ‘get advice’. Tony attended free HMRC workshops on tax returns and VAT. This helped Tony decide whether to be VAT registered or not, and helped him understand about accounts and bookkeeping. Tony is now thinking of taking on an accountant to save time, but is clued up enough to know what is what.

Tony took part in Business Link workshops, which focused on starting in business, and creating a website. He plans to attend a further course on increasing website traffic, and has requested an information factsheet (or Cobweb) on the same, from PRIME. Tony’s main tip in becoming self-employed is ‘Get as much advice as possible. It is free and always valuable’. You can find details of free workshops in your area by going to www.primebusinessclub.com/category/events.

Marketing

Tony and Marion attend craft fairs each month. A pitch can cost anything between £70 and £170 for a 6ft area. The fairs are a way of spreading the word, and can often bring in large orders a few months down the line. Tony says ‘people will talk to us at an event, then a sports day or award ceremony will pop up, and they’ll remember and give us a call’.

Tony wanted to employ a website designer, but every quote was 4 figures so he did it himself instead. Tony went to www.123-reg.co.uk and bought a domain name. It was then about £70 for a software package, which allowed Tony to upload information via already formatted templates.

When looking for a glass supplier, Tony made a shrewd move with The Glass Scribe International in Scotland. As well as getting a good deal on wholesale glass, Tony became sole distributor for The Glass Scribe in London. This meant that Tony got a free listing as a stockist on The Glass Scribe’s website, as well as being able to show off his collection to those picking up orders.

Networking

Tony attends a small business club, once a month, in Thurrock. ‘It is good to mix with businesses that are in different stages of development’ says Tony. People share knowledge and tips, and it is also a good chance to gain contacts, and talk about your own product.

Problems

Tony suffers from Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME). ME can cause severe fatigue and malaise after mental or physical activity. Tony’s old job demanded long periods of visual processing; about 60% of the time dedicated to looking at a computer screen. Tony would go for so many weeks, but then have to take time off to recover. Now his own boss, Tony can have what his specialist calls ‘a modified living style’. He brakes up his time in front of the computer, interchanging it with other aspects of the business. As a result, Tony’s ME becomes more manageable.

Seven months after Crystal Mountain Glass began, and the business is beginning to fund itself. But work is sporadic, and Tony and Marion sometimes have to dip into their bank account to keep the cash flow going. This is a temporary solution, until orders become more regular.

What Tony really wants, is enough profit to support a showroom or a shop. That way people could peruse the collection first hand, just like they do at the craft fairs. With an increasing customer base, and regular marketing, it is surely just a matter of time.

Contact

Crystal Mountain Glass
23 Somerset Gardens
Basildon
Essex
SS13 3JJ
Tel: 07504 779038
E-mail: tony.palmer@crystalmountainglass.co.uk
Website: www.crystalmountainglass.co.uk

Date: Thursday 28 May 2009 - Friday 29 May 2009

Time: 10am to 5pm both days

Venue: ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock,London E16 1XL

Status: PRIME exhibiting

PRIME has a stand (740) at this excellent free show. Come and talk to us.

Business Startup 2009 is a large event with 230 exhibitors and a programme of over 140 seminars. Both the show and the seminars are free. You can order tickets online at www.bstartup.com, or phone 0800 328 0467.

GETTING THERE
ExCeL London is located 10 minutes from Canary Wharf, in the heart of the former Royal Docks. The site is bracketed by three Docklands Light Railway stations, and has parking for 4,000 cars. Venue details.

Date: Friday 13 March 2009 - Sunday 15 March 2009

Time: Friday 13 March 1pm - 7pm, Saturday 14 March 10am - 6pm and Sunday 15 March 10am - 5pm

Venue: Olympia (Grand Hall), Hammersmith Road, West Kensington, London W14 8UX

Status: PRIME exhibiting

PRIME has a stand (N12) at the show, and is also giving talks and holding a drop-in one-on-one information clinic.

One Life is a large event with over 300 exhibitors and a programme of more than 100 seminars. It’s advisable to book in advance for the seminars, which are free.

Tickets cost £16 on the door, or £14 if you book online (£15 for phone bookings) from the exhibition organisers. They cost £12 if you are over 60. http://www.onelifelive.co.uk/book-tickets.aspx 

STOP PRESS
PRIME has a limited supply of free tickets - email prime@ace.org.uk 

Nearest tube: Kensington Olympia (District Line). Overground train services run by Silverlink and Southern go to the same station.

This all-day free drop-in event will help you start your business - or decide if you are ready to take the plunge. Guests include Roger Phillips and Linda Mcdermott from BBC Radio Merseyside who will be interviewing attendees live.

Four free workshops.

One-to-one advice surgeries – confidential and impartial advice.

Exhibition and marketplace – see everyone from start-up specialists to banks, and meet other would-be entrepreneurs.

Interviews with successful local entrepreneurs.

The day is aimed at anyone over 50 who is thinking of starting a business or planning to be self-employed. You can drop-in to the exhibition but you need to book to be sure of a place at the free seminars.

Click here to register

As part of the day, PRIME will be running business idea sessions to help those who may be interested in becoming self-employed or setting up a business, but are lacking a clear idea of what product or service. PRIME’s sessions will help identify relevant, transferable skills and experience, examine potential income-generating hobbies and interests, and stimulate ideas for business that can be enjoyable, productive and with financial reward. Sessions will be run throughout the day, so come and book at the PRIME stand for the next available session.

STOP PRESS: APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.
PRIME is launching an innovative new loans scheme that will open to the public in early 2009. We are recruiting now for the key post of loans officer.

The successful applicant will bring experience of business loans, preferably in the CDFI sector, to the development and administration of this innovative new loan scheme for the over 50s. The post is based in our central office in South London.

Role: to develop and market, to oversee and maintain the PRIME loan process, accrediting business plans, liaising with applicants and other external stakeholders, ensuring loan targets for applicants are met: to complete constant reviews of the loan facility and to assess the effectiveness of the scheme and make recommendations on whether a supplementary and more conventional scheme is required.

You will need to be organised, able to work to tight deadlines and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, working and detailing the loan facility with colleagues who are based throughout the country.  Loan project management experience would be advantageous.

A commitment to PRIME’s objectives and values, together with some charity experience, would be advantageous.  You will be comfortable working in a dynamic, innovative and rapidly growing charity and able to use your initiative and experience to deputise for the Director of Finance where necessary.

Application requests can be sent to prime@ace.org.uk or call 020 8765 7833. Or you can download the application form and background documents below.

Application form

Job description and person spec

Please note that only applications on our application form will be accepted.
Closing date: Friday 6th February 2009
Interviews: (to be held in London) on Friday 13th February 2009.

Date: Tuesday 18th - Friday 21st November 2008

Venue: Enterprise House, 297 Pinner Road, Harrow, HA1 4HS

Status: PRIME recommended event

Harrow in Business is running a series of small workshops for those in the early stages of self-employment, or interested in starting. Workshops include Book-keeping, PR and marketing, and Getting more customers online.

Please contact Lynn Hiskey on 020 8427 6188 or lynn.hiskey@hib.org.uk to book a place.

Date: Saturday 15 Nov 2008

Time: 10am to 4:30pm

Venue: Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XF

Status: PRIME recommended event

The West London Business Advice Open Day will launch Enterprise Week. It will include a whole package of seminars, training sessions, business clinics offering 121 advice, and exhibitors.

The event is free for those who book in advance. Please contact Lynn Hiskey on 0208 427 6188 or lynn.hiskey@hib.org.uk

Are you over 40, female and thinking of starting a business in any of these areas?

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Healthy living
Massage
Nutrition and Diet
Personal Training
Reflexology
Sports Massage
Sports Physiotherapy

If so London Metropolitan University, a PRIME partner, has developed a free 10 day course especially for you.

It starts in October 2008, and there’s still time to apply. Funding is coming from the London Development Agency, and the course will be run in conjunction with NHS London.

London Met will use its tried-and-tested format of running the course in 10 sessions spread over 20 weeks, so you only have to take one day a week away from other commitments or actually starting the business.  Mentoring support then continues for a further six months after the course is completed.

Previous courses in the series have been heavily over-subscribed, so it’s a good idea to apply promptly.

To be eligible you need to be over 40, female and live, work or plan to start your business in London. The course takes place at London Met’s site in Moorgate.

If you are interested, please ring

More details at www.enterprisesontrack.co.uk

STOP PRESS: APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED PRIME is hiring. We are looking for someone for the key post of Director of Financial Development, based in our central office in South London. You will be responsible for managing the charity’s finances, improving how we fundraise and setting up a new loan fund for PRIME’s clients.

You will have an appropriate financial qualification, willingness to be hands-on, and the experience and drive to make things happen at an exciting time in PRIME’s development.

Application requests can be sent to prime@ace.org.uk or call 020 8765 7833. Or you can download the application form and background documents below.

Application form

Job description

Briefing paper for finance post.

Please note that only applications on our application form will be accepted.

Closing date: Monday 1st September 2008
Interviews: (to be held in London) on Tuesday 9th September 2008.

With spending on London’s 2012 Olympic bid now projected to top £9 billion, what chance have small businesses of getting their hands on any of the loot?

Well, at least some. You may not be able to grab 10-digit sums, but you can at least bid for some of the smaller contracts on the www.competefor.com site.

The web site is run by the London Development Agency, but you don’t have to come from the London area to participate. Among the opportunities listed are many smaller ones, such as those listed below. Note the broad range, from construction to catering and web services, and the scale, which includes some small projects posted by larger subcontractors.

Ecological Consultancy Service
Description: An ecological survey and assessment is required at the Eton College Rowing Lake at Dorney Lake, due to host the Rowing, Flatwater Canoe/Kayak and Paralympic Rowing events at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Website Development and Ongoing MaintenanceDescription: Ongoing maintenance management and content & functionality development of LDA Climate Change microsites with an emphasis on improving their web presence and their brand. A key element is to provide up to date, useful information relating to all aspects of climate change & energy efficiency that is suitable to be posted on the websites.

Catering Team - required for Aquatics Centre
Description: Catering team required for busy kitchen servicing staff and operatives. Will need to cater for up to 400 people at peak period and deliver wholesome cold and cooked food, to be served during meal breaks. It will be necessary to cater for a diverse workforce including different faith requirements, vegetarians and those seeking healthy diet options.

Office Cleaning - Aquatics Centre site office
Description: Daily cleaning of the Aquatics Centre site offices. This includes a three storey modular block with approximately 150 desks and a 3 storey welfare unit.

Installation of fencing/hoarding
Description: The installation of fencing/hoarding for a bridge within the Olympic Park, approximately 30 metres long and comprising of 18mm ply board on a frame with typical posts 900mm deep in a 1200mm x 600mm diameter concrete foundation.

Miscellaneous Electrical and/or Plumbing Works
Description: Miscellaneous electrical and/or plumbing works as and when required to site offices.

Scaffolding Works
Description: Various scaffolding work as required.

Anti Graffiti Paint
Description: Supply and application of Anti Graffiti coating to concrete structures. This work is to be carried out over a period of two years on multiple visits.

Older entrepreneurs were the topic of Westside Radio’s Friday morning business programme. Presenter Pooja talked to Annabel Rhodes of cosmetics start-up Rhodes to Heaven, and to Laurie South of PRIME. You can listen to the programme on The Big Dream blog.

Libraries can be of great use when researching your business. They can help you form an overview of your market, find likely competitors or even research prospective clients, or do more specialised things like check company names and trademarks or find journalists who might be interested in your venture.

Some of the bigger libraries have extensive collections of directories and hold market research reports that would cost a fortune to buy or access online, but which you can view for free if you actually go along to the library.

The City Business Library, located in the City of London near Moorgate, is the largest specialised public reference library in the country dedicated to practical business information. You can use it for free and there are no membership requirements.

More on the collections

More on services for startups

The library runs regular 40-minute tours and longer two-hour workshops on how to find stuff, which are free.

Here are some dates for upcoming workshops on using the market research collection, all starting at 9.30 in the morning.

Thursday 17 April 2008
Thursday 8 May
Wednesday 21 May
Tuesday 10 June
Wednesday 9 July
Thursday 31 July
Tuesday 12 August

To book a place on any of these courses,  telephone the City Business Library on 020 7332 1812 or email cbl@cityoflondon.gov.uk

The British Library, located between Euston and Kings Cross stations in London, runs a regular programme of workshops on business and intellectual property topics.

The workshops are generally aimed at a small business audience, last a few hours, and are either free or cost a few pounds. But they are often crowded - advance booking is essential.

Here’s a list of selected topics in the next month - click for more on how to book.

Many past talks by inspirational entrepreneurs are available in the podcast area of the site.

The library itself holds a large collection of market research reports, fact sheets on starting different sorts of business, and a searchable database of patents. To use these you will need to get a reader pass, but this again is free.

These services are partly funded by the London Development Agency, but are available to people from across the UK.