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Work it out for yourself
Ever thought of starting your own business?
Got a great idea but don't know where to start?
Following the success of a similar project in
Craigmillar, Worktrack, the South Edinburgh Partnership and the City of
Edinburgh Council have joined forces to bring a new initiative to the
area.
The South Edinburgh Enterprise Campaign, funded by the
European Social Fund for three years, aims to encourage local residents
with a business idea to take the first few steps towards becoming
self-employed.
The campaign will network with local projects and will
offer information and advice to local residents - training, personal
development, business advice, business planning, personal support and
financial advice.
An Enterprise Guide will be employed to co-ordinate
the service and will make contact with local businesses and
entrepreneurs seeking support for the campaign.
Practical training and advice sessions will be held
throughout the area to help individuals develop their business idea.
There will be access to people who have a practical understanding of
running small businesses. People with specialist knowledge will be
brought in when necessary and all support will be based on what the
individual idea needs.
Additional training can be organised to help people
who need a particular qualification, or for a course which would benefit
the business.
Local Enterprise Guide
The very first step of the new project is to employ an
Enterprise Guide. The job of the Enterprise Guide is to contact local
people directly, speak to them in the streets or community centres and
encourage and motivate them to give it a go.
The Enterprise Guide will be someone who has the
confidence to get people involved, is a great communicator and who can
talk to people about becoming self-employed. The Enterprise Guide will
support people in taking the first steps - whether that be offering
advice, information and enthusiasm, or being a shoulder to cry on when
times are hard.
It is very important for the Enterprise Guide to know
as much about the area and its people as possible.
Susan Arthur is the Craigmillar Enterprise Guide.
Susan with local woman Linda McKellar who set up business as a
hairdresser and has traded well for a year.
Susan has seen 59 clients over the course of the year
and 12 have set up their own business. A variety of help and support has
been given to clients, some requiring further training, help with their
business plan or financial advice.
The Enterprise Guide, above all else, needs to be
confident in speaking to people and have lots of common sense.
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