The Unique Women in Business Lunch celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March features world record holder and gold medalist Rachel Smith.
Rachael has achieved a world record in Dragon Boat Racing and a gold medal as the UK Women’s Pair rowing the Atlantic whilst balancing a successful and full-time career as marketing manager for the RBS.
Both her business and sporting backgrounds have given Rachel a real understanding of teamwork, staying focused and visualising goals – a great message for us during these tough times.
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February 2012
Unique Lunch & Learn with Rachel Smith
Date: February 29, 2012 Time: 1:05 pm
Tender: Provision of Childcare aged 2-5 years
Date: February 27, 2012 Time: 3:59 pm
Awarding Authority: Turton & Edgworth C.E Methodist Primary School
Description: Provision of childcare to children aged two to five years in the Edgworth and Chapeltown area of Blackburn with Darwen
Contract period: 3rd September 2012 – 31st August 2015 (with an option to extend for a further 12 months solely at the discretion of the School Governing Body)
Contact name: Stewart Plowes
Contact telephone no: 01204 852932
Contact e-mail address: turton@blackburn.gov.uk
Postal address: Turton & Edgworth C.E Methodist Primary School, Bolton Road, Edgworth, Bolton BL7 OAH
Support for would-be entrepreneurs in East Lancashire
Date: February 23, 2012 Time: 3:53 pm
Since it was announced in October 2010 the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) has helped numerous long term unemployed people set up their own business. Launched in Merseyside in January 2011 the scheme had a national roll out throughout the year and we had our first successful applicant in East Lancashire in June.
Since then the scheme has helped more than 50 people in our area to create a realistic business plan, establish their own company and move off Job Seekers Allowance whilst a further 36 are currently going through the process.
The New Enterprise Allowance is supported in East Lancashire by the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and in particular by Debbi Dawson of the Chamber of Commerce East Lancashire.
A Mentor’s View: Mentoring start-ups teaches a thing or two
Date: February 20, 2012 Time: 9:05 am
Mentoring start-ups will teach you a thing or two says Granby Marketing Services’
chief executive Stephen Bentley.
“Any business owner who has been lucky enough to receive advice and guidance from more experienced entrepreneurs during the transitional phases of their business’s development will appreciate just how influential and important mentoring can be.
Having had the good fortune myself to call upon three mentors throughout my business career and knowing what it’s like to be in a position of uncertainty, I decided to volunteer for the government’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme, managed locally by the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, and wholeheartedly recommend that every business owner and entrepreneur in the region gives it some serious consideration too.
The NEA gives extra help to unemployed people who want to start their own business. Participants get access to a volunteer business mentor who provides guidance and support as they develop their business plan and through early trading.
Anyone who has ever set up their own business will know how challenging and daunting the first months are, but when you lack the relevant business skills and experience, even the smallest molehills have the potential to turn into mountains.
Starting your own business is a massive undertaking and not for the faint-hearted – sleepless nights and anxiety are pretty much a given. But having the ambition and guts to take that step and turning the idea into a sustainable and profitable business are two very different things.
Providing mentorship to others at the beginning gives you the opportunity to install good business practice from the outset and set them on the right track. Not having a robust business plan and an inability to manage cash-flows are arguably two of the most common failings for new businesses and the area where mentors can add the most value. Read More
The Bread Fairy: A New Enterprise Allowance Mentoring Scheme Success Story
Date: February 16, 2012 Time: 3:05 pm
Mandy Richardson, who was made redundant last year, took the brave step of 
moving onto the New Enterprise Allowance and becoming self-employed with the help of a mentor recruited by the Chamber of Commerce.
In this case, Mandy’s mentor was John Gardner of North West Hampers who has a wealth of experience in helping companies in the food sector.
Mandy has now established herself as a artisan baker, The Bread Fairy, selling healthy loaves at farmers’ markets in East Lancashire. Read More
