A business start-up programme aiming to grow South Lakeland’s green economy is about to launch online after a funding contribution from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).
SLDC has partnered with Bentley-Brown Associates to offer the Future Fixers’ Business Start-up Programme, designed to support new enterprises which have, or which wish to create, a purposeful business.
Councillor Robin Ashcroft, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Economy and Leisure, commented: “This has been, and continues to be, a desperately hard time for businesses.
“We have been doing all we can to help, and this project will help increase resilience in these difficult times.
“How firms do business and how the public, clients and customers engages and interacts with them is changing and projects like this have an important role in supporting that.”
Future Fixers also welcomes those in the early stages of business, who would like to re-evaluate their business following the COVID crisis.
Key aspects of the Future Fixers start-up programme are:
- It focuses first on helping people understand what motivates them, and how they can remain resilient, a key to running a successful business;
- It explores business planning, marketing, sales, and finance but always with a focus on how a business can have a positive impact on people and planet;
- Business owners who complete the programme, are then supported with a year’s free access to Future Fixers’ Coaching Circle, a fortnightly online group coaching session that keeps entrepreneurs motivated and on track;
- Participants become part of a network for like-minded businesses where they can create opportunities, share ideas, build partnerships, and benefit from practical support.
Councillor Dyan Jones, Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency and Localism, added: “It is important now more than ever for businesses to consider their impact on the planet and people.
“Supporting businesses in making that a key consideration when they are starting up is a great idea.”
Future Fixers is run by Kendal-based Karen Bentley-Brown and David Brown of Bentley-Brown Associates.
The start-up programme will begin on Wednesday 16 September.
