December 29, 2021
A fully-funded, after-hours support programme aimed specifically at helping local people start and grow a business is launching in Islington.
StartUp Club will give local people thinking of starting their own business or looking to turn their passion into a career, all the resources they need to set up and begin trading, including weekly expert-led workshops and support.
The programme is run in partnership by coworking and small business experts, Town Square Space Ltd (TownSq) and Islington Council, and is looking for local people to sign up now for its first cohort in the new year.
Each session features a workshop where individuals will learn everything they need to transform an idea into an enterprise, from creating a business and marketing plan - through to identifying customers and building a brand.
There will be an open day held at St Luke’s Community Centre on the 18th January, where people can come and learn all about the programme and meet some of the coaches.
Anna Chuicharoen from TownSq said the clubs were open to anyone with an idea or a desire to take control of their own incomes:
“For some, the idea of starting a business can be daunting. The thought of having to give up their day job and take the risk of starting from scratch, worrying about how to pay bills while building. The truth is that most businesses don’t begin on a gamble. They are side-projects or ideas that are grown gently until they are in a position to be worked on full-time.
“It’s also not all about building big business empires; many people who come through our programme just want to take charge of their own careers and work for themselves. Being solo self-employed is a real option for many people, but it can be difficult to know just where to start.
“The StartUp Club programme will give individuals everything they need to turn their idea into an actual business, and they’ll be part of a community of people on the same journey, solving problems together. From the business plan and legal stuff, right the way through to marketing and sales. It will be delivered by other business owners who have been there and done it themselves and understand the challenges we all face in our personal and professional lives.
“We’d encourage anyone considering setting up their own business, or who just has an idea they would like to develop, to get in touch and see how our StartUp Club programme can help them.”