Where can I find someone to run a business idea past and get advice, face-to-face?
Where can I find someone to run a business idea past and get advice, face-to-face?
Asked by Ryan Waddell,
June 2008 - Contact this person
4 Answers
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Hi Ryan,
If you are in England, you should try your local enterprise agency (www.nfea.com).
In Scotland, try Business Enterprise Scotland - http://www.bes.org.uk/
In Wales, try Business Eye - http://www.businesseye.org.uk/
In Northern Ireland, try Invest NI - http://www.investni.com/
Then of course you have the likes of The Prince's Trust for people up to the age of 30, and also in England there is Business Link, but they generally will prefer to deal with people who are at a more advanced level than pre-start. -
Your local Business Link will also be able to assist if you are in England. Go to http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ and type in your postcode for the nearest office.
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In Scotland you can contact your local Business Gateway office to talk to a startup adviser. Depending on your postcode and age there may be financial incentives to starting a business too so it's worthwhile giving them a call and going in for a chat!
They also run free local startup events to help you work through your business ideas and understand the financial obligations you'll have, and help with the form filling.
Try www.bgateway.com to get started and referred to your local office. -
Depending on where you live, you could do worse than try me! I live in Coventry and work as a business consultant, advising small and micro businesses on pretty much anything and everything. Much of course depends on the idea you have, so give me an outline and I can give you an idea of whether I think I can help. There would be no charge for an initial chat and opinion. If you wanted me to travel to you, I would have to charge travelling expenses and, possibly, time, so much better for you to come to me - or you could telephone. If you wanted further help, after the initial chat, Business Link might be able to offer joint funding [i.e. you match whatever they give] or you might think I could be helpful. Either way, initial contact won't cost you anything.
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