BiG ‘Make It Your Business’ is a set of business support activities that aims to boost enterprise in Sheffield by helping more people to set up in business, support sustainable business growth and increase the success rate of locallyowned businesses in the city.
Sheffield has been granted £24 million from the government to support businesses. BiG will be about bringing services out into the community, through Enterprise Champions and Business Advisors. Its aim is to make enterprise accessible to everybody. BiG offers a range of free business advice, one-to-one support and business support activities including:
Business start up advice and guidance
Legal issues
Financial analysis
Financial advice
Support with drawing up your business plan
Business skills training
Advice on accessing specialist equipment or skills
Help in finding the right premises or business
Support for existing businesses
You will benefit from your own personal business mentor and the programme also offers a Mentoring programme for schools and colleges and budding entrepreneurs.
Burngreave New Deal for Communities (BNDfC) is leading on the delivery of the BiG Neighbouhood Enterprise Champions across the city. BiG’s Burngreave team is based at Sorby House on Spital Hill.The team consists of Farid Abdulla and Lisa Hughes who are both Neighbourhood Enterprise Champions and Paul Beck, a Business Advisor.
Lisa said: “Our role as Neighbourhood Enterprise Champions is to connect ideas to opportunities and we provide you with dedicated support and guidance through your business development.”
Business Advisor Paul said:
“We offer a range of services including business advice, ideas generating, advice on sales and marketing and help with branding and website development.”
The BiG Project has had a significant response from the local community with over 200 people showing an interest in the programme so far since it started in September 2007.
Farid added: “The BiG programme provides a fantastic opportunity for those interested in business.With the benefits of this project, there has never been a better chance to get support in setting up a business.”
If you are interested in setting up a business or would like further information on any aspect of the BiG project, contact the team on (0114) 213 6310, or visit us at Sorby House, 42 Spital Hill, Sheffield, S4 7LG.
Further information is available at: http://www.thebigwebsite.org.uk/
