Rush of calls expected from aspiring start-ups in new year

January is the peak time for people ditching the nine-to-five and looking to start their own business – and January 2017 is set to be no exception.

The start-up support team at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce will be dealing with the customary rush of calls during this month as people look to follow their dream of being their own boss.

The Chamber offers a range of help from workshops to one-to-one mentoring as, according to operations manager Keely Hancox, a new year offers individuals a chance to reflect.

She said: “At Christmas and New Year, people not only take the time to celebrate but they think about what they want to do long term. And for many, it means setting up their own business.

“So January tends to be a busy time for us with people contacting us after Christmas looking for help and support.

“I would certainly advise that they do speak to us because getting the right advice from the outset can be of huge benefit to people as there are many aspects of starting a company that they don’t consider.

“For some, just making the call into the Chamber and hearing that support is available can give them the confidence to take the next step. In some instances, it may work the other way. They may see that they are not quite ready because it’s important to understand that the rewards that come with starting a business also take lots of hard work and can mean unsociable hours at times.”

Over the past 12 months, the Chamber has supported more than 120 people in starting their own business – from a photography company to an independent café.

There are numerous factors to consider in what is a very big decision.

 “The starting point is whether you are interested in, or have certain expertise in, something that would make a good business," Keely said. "If you know the subject, that’s a great place to start.

“Then you have to look at whether there is a gap in the market. Is anyone else doing it? If they are, how can you do it differently or better?

“Also, you have to think about what you want from the business. Is it a lifestyle choice or do you want to grow it, take on staff and become bigger than just you?

“Finally, and this is key, what other expertise do you need? You might be brilliant at what you do but there is so much more to running a business than that. You have to consider everything from finance to marketing if you want to make it a success.

“Those questions might be new to you but they are the questions that our team have asked and answered hundreds of times so we’d urge anyone thinking of starting a business to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Warwickshire County Council recently commissioned the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to deliver their county-wide business support start-up service. Forming part of the ERDF funded Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme, this project provides start-up advice to individual across the county looking to start a businesses or for people whose business has been registered for less than 12-months. The project is also financially support by both the County Council and the districts and boroughs. 

To find out more and book onto one of the Chamber’s start-up programmes, contact the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on 02476 654 321.