Spring to Action Ltd

Support for Food and Drink Businesses

 

Food Workshop

Get support to develop a food or drink business in Leicester. Learn about food hygiene, health and safety, business planning and test your idea and products alongside other food businesses.

Enrol on the FREE 2 day workshop at  http://www.thefoodworkshop.co.uk/enrol-now.php

 

Pitch Up Entrepreneur Competition

Leicester Market has a new initiative to inspire and assist budding entrepreneurs called the Pitch Up Entrepreneur Competition.

With this short term project they are looking for 8 “finalists” who will benefit from dedicated workshops, free test trading throughout June, a £250 trading allowance and overall business support.

The eventual winner will be judged by a panel and will receive a further £500, up to 6 months FREE trading at the market (if compatable with their Business Plan) and claim the crown of Pitch Up Entrepreneur 2012

 

Again entries and further information is available on line at www.thefoodworkshop.co.uk

Entries up until 18^th May

 

http://www.leicestermarket.co.uk/news/pitch-up-entrepreneur-2012/

The Startup Sessions - 21st March 2012

Join us for a starting in business workshop at Kettering's Naseby Hotel on 21st March 2012 from 9am.

The Startup Sessions are designed to offer an introduction to running your own business, giving you the chance to share your concerns, answers your questions and weigh up the pros/cons of running your own business.

The workshop will be informal and interactive, no chalk and talk here! You'll be learning through doing, using your own experience and skills to inform the day and help others, whilst their differing skillsets will help you focus on areas you need to work on to make your business idea thrive.

We won't get a chance in 8 hours to cover everything about running a busines (it takes a lifetime!) but this is a great start and will help you answer the age-old dilema of 'not knowning what I don't know'. 

We will also inform you about other support that's's available in your area and through government programmes.

The day will also feature:

• Take-away guides for business essentials to refer back to
• The chance to get reflections on your business idea from a qualified advisor and other people
• Top tips on key areas of business and sources of advice / information
• Information about networking groups and local support including access to free 30 mins of legal advice
• Plenty of drinks refreshments

All of this for a £40 fee is a great value offer.  This doesn't include lunch - you can bring your own, visit one of the local cafes within a short walking distance, or we can order in advance from the hotel on your behalf.

Book your place today.

New startup workshops in March and April, Leicester

We're delighted to announce a new set of workshops for the Enterprise as a Life project, on which we are a partner. Starting in March, they will cover key aspects of running a business including marketing, getting and keeping money, legal issues, tax and business planning.

To be eligible to attend you need to be aged 19+ and live in Leicester City.  We can support any business idea from gardening, to sport and beyond (as long as it's legal!).

March dates:

Thursday 15th March
Friday 16th March
Tuesday 20th March
Thursday 22nd March
Tuesday 27th March
Thursday 29th March

April dates:

Wednesday 18th April
Friday 20th April
Thursday 26th April
Friday 27th April
Wednesday 2nd May
Thursday 3rd May

 

All workshops are held at St Martin's House (next to the Cathedral), 9.30-12.30am.

Contact us to discuss this further and book your place on 0116 217 9250 or email kate.cowan@springtoaction.co.uk

Friendly Friday Goes Large!

Linwood Centre, Linwood Lane, Leicester, LE2 6QJ
9th March, 10am - 2pm

Spring can be found at this fantastic community event at the Linwood Centre on 9th March.  We're having a stall and will be doing a presentation about self employment. Pop by to visit us on our stand or come and see us speak.

What's on?
Refreshments, Stalls Information & Advice, Arts & Crafts, Fun Activities, Guest Speakers, Workshops, Community & Business Networking

Guest Speakers
We have 11 experts and guest speakers lined up to give talks on a range of subjects including; Self employment, Business Start Up & Development, Social Enterprise, Mulimedia, Marketing, Branding and Writing Funding Bids.

Business Surgery
Come and along speak to our panel of experts for advice on business start up and development, self employment, tax, accounts and marketing.

Taster Workshops

• Email Marketing
• Social Media & blogging
• Digital Photography
• I need a website but don’t know
  where to start

For more information or to book a place Call Beckie on 0116 224 9790 or 0790 000 2530.

This event is FREE, book your tickets at http://friendlyfridaygoeslarge.eventbrite.co.uk

Parking available

Meet / Mingle with Leicester's startups

Wednesday 29th February 2012
From 6pm at LCB Depot

Meet / Mingle Leicester is a new event designed to help local people interested in starting a business to connect, share experiences and meet.  Held at the creative LCB Depot, the event is hosted by our very own Kate Cowan and will feature 4 local business people, who've developed successful businesses right here in Leicester.

You'll have the chance to ask them questions and hear about how they made their businesses work, and the pitfalls along the way.  There will be honest accounts of the highs and lows, and some useful tips for you to use in your business.

Book your place at Meet / Mingle Leicester online, it's free, and includes a drink. We suggest you eat before you arrive though, so there aren't too many rumbly stomachs.

So far over 60 people have booked a place, with just 20 places left we suggest you book yours swiftly too!

See you there.

New Business Startup Course Dates

As part of the Enterprise as a Life project, Spring are continuing to support people with helping local people bring their business ideas to life.  The project offers the basic business grounding of knowledge about tax, finance, marketing, writing a business plan but also offers the chance to improve people's confidence to sell themselves and manage people.

New dates for 2012 are:

Group 1: January 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th plus 9th and 10th February

Group 2: April 12, 20th, 26th 27th plus 2nd and 3rd May

More courses will take place over 2012, all will be held in a central city centre venue.

find out more at www.enterpriseasalife.org.uk or get in touch with Kate on 07921 992 194 or email kate.cowan@springtoaction.co.uk