massively increase your contact book and hear about other resources which could help your business further.
“Meeting people face to face is also a brilliant way to practice your ‘elevator pitch’, so when you do bump into an investor looking for new opportunities, you’ll be ready.”
Hannah Churchman, programme lead at Innovate Lancashire, the county council’s dedicated innovation economic growth programme, believes collaboration to be another weapon in the armoury of a successful start-up.
She says: “In Lancashire, we are very fortunate that we now have lots of environments which support a culture of partnership which start-ups can tap into.
“The Lancashire Digital Hub runs regular events around many parts of the county where you can meet new, growing and established tech businesses looking for joint opportunities.
“With a focus on low carbon, the RedCAT programme does something similar from its base in Accrington, while Preston Innovates is building a community of digital, tech and creative professionals from across the Preston-city region.
Imogen-Rose Gregory ON THE LAUNCH PAD
Imogen-Rose Gregory is managing director of Preston based Turtle Head Brewing Company, which launched late last year.
Lancashire’s business
community is generous when it comes to giving help and advice because people know how hard it is to get something off the ground
“Startups working in specific markets can also access dedicated industry networks. The Lancashire-based North West Aerospace Alliance, and the Northern Automotive Alliance, both support the county’s advanced manufacturing sector, while the Electech Innovation Cluster brings together Lancashire’s electronic engineering businesses.
“Lancashire’s growing cyber, defence and security industries are now well represented by the Lancashire Cyber Alliance, the North West Cyber Security Cluster, and the North West Regional Defence and Security Cluster.
She adds: “To really maximise the power of partnership, I’d strongly recommend startups to explore what a shared workspace might offer them.
“Lancashire now has several high-tech co-working hubs which are geared up for ambitious early-stage companies looking to grow.
“Many have specific event programmes designed to bring founders together, and there are community managers on-site to help startups make connections to individuals, businesses, and organisations, which can help start-ups to grow.”
She says: “Our business was borne out of a need to raise money for a charity we launched in memory of my mum, which provides practical support to people living with cancer.
“Before launching the business, we spent approximately 18 months of research, which helped us develop our offering.
“That was the most critical part of the process – determine what your customers want and give them it.
“I would also say it’s essential to pick professional advisers you can lean on and gain their input.
“Without stating the obvious, you need a plan, but it needs to flex as sometimes opportunities present themselves that you hadn’t anticipated but will make a difference, so another aspect of running a new business would be to ensure you can be agile.”
Former University of Central Lancashire student Sam Loat has just published the first edition of his lifestyle and fashion magazine.
Nathan.mag, a preloved menswear magazine aimed at showing the potential of dressing second-hand, is on sale in shops in the UK, Amsterdam, New York and Belgium.
The 26-year-old has had support from the university and the King’s Fund to get his fledgling business up and running.
There have been challenges along the way and he says: “I’d advise people starting a business to be flexible and open to change. You sometimes have to adapt very quickly and you need to be open-minded.”
Laura Jane Seddon-Ellis, is another former University of Central Lancashire student who has gone on to set up a business with
Karen Livesey LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
its support. LJE Therapy, offers counselling and psychotherapy.
She says starting a business has to “feel right” and it is important to have support both professionally and in your private life.
She adds: “You have to be prepared for the knocks. Sometimes you have to go back two stages to go forward one. You need to be pretty determined.”
Karen Livesey’s Leyland based Community Interest Company No Whispers delivers training and awareness in child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation, county lines and safeguarding.
An advocate of networking, she says it is important that the fledgling business owner gets out there and finds out what works for them.
She adds: “Don’t make assumptions. You might go to an event thinking ‘It’s not for me’ but when you get talking, people know people.”
Karen says the new business owner also needs to be prepare to say ‘no’. “Don’t waste your energy on things that are futile,” she adds.
She started No Whispers in 2020 with the help of UCLan’s start-up support and says: “Getting consistent advice is so valuable. The relationship is important, you need to trust those advisors.”
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START-UP TOOLKIT
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