CHAMBER NEWS
Support continues for new businesses
A pioneering project aimed at helping people across Derbyshire to start their own business will continue throughout 2021 to support workers affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The D2 Business Starter
Programme was launched in January 2017 to help people move into self-employment and develop their ideas into commercially viable businesses. Through a series of themed
workshops and one-to-one support from expert advisers, the Chamber- run programme – funded by Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council – aims to equip participants with the practical knowledge and skills they need to get up and running. So far, it has supported more
than 1,000 people and helped to create more than 190 new businesses and 220 new jobs. More than 10,000 hours of free support has been provided to those taking part. Paul Stuart, the Chamber’s head
of Enterprise, said: “The D2 Business Starter Programme has
been a huge success since launching in 2017 and has helped many people across Derby and Derbyshire to take the leap into self-employment and start their own businesses. “We’re delighted to be able to
continue to offer this free support throughout 2021, to help even more people follow their dreams and make their business ideas a reality.” An individual, tailored package
of support is offered to each person taking part in the programme. It includes one-to-one mentor support and a series of workshops, led by experienced professionals and designed to complement the mentoring sessions. Workshops include subjects such as an introduction to self-employment, marketing, business planning, book-keeping and social media. The workshop programme
kicked off on 3 February but remains open to participants with a Derbyshire postcode who have the desire to start a business. Derby-based CRZyBest, a maker of eco-friendly bespoke jewellery,
Claire Zwozny-Bestwick in her CRZyBest “shedquarters”
gifts and accessories, was one of the first businesses supported by the programme. Its founder Claire Zwozny-
Bestwick enrolled on the programme to learn more about the fundamentals of starting a business, finance, sales and marketing, along with setting short and long-term objectives and developing and refining a business plan. Over the past year, she has
moved the company full-time into a purpose-built workshop in her
garden, as well as investing time in developing her website and social media presence in the wake of the pandemic, and diversifying her product offering to suit an online audience. Claire said: “The support I
received was really useful in giving me the confidence and the skills to follow my dream of setting up in business.”
To find out more, visit
www.pushthebuttontoday.com
48 business network February 2021
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