Small Business Gateway

Are you thinking of starting a business? It's never too early to seek advice.

Business Start-Up provides the impartial advice and assistance new businesses need at all stages of the start-up process. Business Start-Up will help you and your new business through the first crucial stages of planning and setting up. After launch, on-going support in the form of further business and personal development, mentoring, advice and networking opportunities is available.

We have helped thousands of people realise their ambition to create their own business. And research has shown that individuals who have accessed support from our network have a much better chance of starting and building a successful business. Like anything else, starting a successful business begins with good planning. This is where we can help - we can take you through the steps to start-up:

Step 1, Think - You have your idea, but what do you really want to achieve? At this stage you need to create your vision and work out how to turn your thoughts into action. Remember, the more you fine tune your business idea, the more committed you will become to it.

Step 2, Plan - Who will you be selling your product or service to? Market research and building a client profile are things you need to consider. How will you market and sell? Our experience advisers will talk you through how to look at your market and assist you with the all-important business plan.

Step 3, Do - You have your plans in place - now the real challenge - doing it!

We have a comprehensive range of services designed to take you through from Think to Do.

• Information - The Small Business Gateway provides access to a vast range of information from paper based fact sheets and CD-ROMs to access to the Internet.
• Seminars - Business Start-Up has been designed with you in mind. We have seminars on a range of topics to help you think about your business idea and decide the way forward.
• Workshops - Designed to help you acquire the knowledge and skills that can give your business a head start. They cover the day-to-day issues faced by entrepreneurs when setting up in business, from accessing finance to marketing.
• Business adviser - Our business advisers offer a one-to-one service that offers impartial advice on business planning, signposting to specialists, accessing your training needs and, of course, encouragement.

Access to specialist advice

Our network has been established over many years and this enables us to give you access to specialists who can help you shape and create your own vision.

E-commerce

Virtually every new business starting in Scotland today can benefit from the use on information technology. Whether it is surfing the net for business and market information, advertising and selling via the internet, or simply using a PC to issue invoices and keep track of VAT and the accounts, there is a place for information technology. Businesses started with the assistance of the Small Business Gateway may be eligible for an e-commerce award of 50% of qualifying expenditure, up to a maximum award of £500. Contact the Small Business Gateway for further information.

After launch

On-going support in the form of further training, advice and networking opportunities is available.

Networking opportunities

Key to any successful business is networking. We can provide you with access to existing networks and enable you to create productive networks of your own.

The Small Business Gateway programme is administered in the Falkirk area by Falkirk Enterprise Action Trust.

For More Information please complete our online form