JumpStart workshops will give entrepreneurs the advice they need
“The workshops are a must-attend if you’re from the Warwickshire area and are looking to take the next steps in your business career."
Providing important advice on the fundamentals that help turn a business dream into reality is the theme running through a series of upcoming free courses for Warwickshire-based entrepreneurs planning to set up their own business.
The latest round of business workshops run by Coventry Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust (CWRT), part-funded by Warwickshire County Council as part of the JumpStart project, is taking place across late April and early May.
Planned topics include action planning and goal making, market research, business planning, cashflow forecasting, how to register for HMRC and a designated social media day, with aspiring entrepreneurs encouraged to attend and pick the brains of the business experts in attendance.
Sheridan Sulskis, chief executive at CWRT, said: “These JumpStart workshops will give Warwickshire residents the opportunity to gain an insight into the many areas of business management that need to be mastered to give their business idea the best chance of success.
“The six workshops allow the opportunity for those considering setting up a business to meet in one space – learning together, sharing ideas and networking.
“We’re proud that so many local people have gone on to great things in the county and beyond after attending our workshops. We’ve seen over 20 businesses created since 2020 and are excited to help some new faces tread the same path.”
Matt Fitzgerald, founder of O.G.Fries, a new Leamington Spa-based business that is set to launch this summer, has recently attended the CWRT JumpStart workshops and picked up some valuable tips to establish and progress the business.
Matt, 30, has returned to the region after working as a chef in France for five years, and through the launch of OG Fries, is hoping to replicate the success of popular friteries across the Channel in the Midlands.
He plans to offer five or six different street-food style fried chip options, showcasing flavours from across the world. Alongside the opportunity presented to Matt to attend the last round of workshops, CWRT also gave Matt financial support, in the form of a start-up loan.
Matt said: “In preparation for my anticipated July trading date, I thought attending the JumpStart webinars was the next logical step in the development of my business idea. I’m glad I took the plunge. It opened my eyes to everything and put me on track.
“The statistical side of a business is key to its success, and I’d encourage my contemporaries to make the most of these upcoming workshops. I came away stronger on areas like social media, cash flow monitoring, locations and research than when I entered the first session.
“The workshops are a must-attend if you’re from the Warwickshire area and are looking to take the next steps in your business career. They really helped me believe in myself. The aim for OG Fries is to keep expanding, and I’m confident that CWRT have helped point me in the right direction.”
The JumpStart initiative provides support to people from the early stages of deciding whether to set-up their own company through to producing a business plan and getting to grips with the financial element of running a fully functioning and operational business.
Warwickshire County Council Lead Commissioner (Business & Economy), Matthew Epps, said: “Warwickshire County Council is pleased to continue to support Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust with its efforts to assist Warwickshire residents to set up new businesses. OG Fries is just the kind of new business that the JumpStart project is designed to support.”
To book a place, or to secure one-to-one mentoring sessions with a business support specialist, which are available upon request, please call 02476 551 777, email bizsupport@cwrt.uk.com or message CWRT on social media by searching ‘JumpStart Project’ on Facebook.