Support for potential Tameside business owners on hand at event

PEOPLE looking to set up in business in Tameside can now make the most of celebrated support service EnterprisingYou.

In collaboration with Tameside Council’s Tameside Talks Business scheme, the scheme run by the GM Business Growth Hub is expanding its free EnterprisingYou-Launchpad series in the borough.

It has been designed to inspire and empower aspiring entrepreneurs and its upcoming event, titled Igniting Your Start-Up Journey, will offer vital advice.

Happening at the People Place of Tameside One, at Ashton-under-Lyne’s Market Place on Thursday, June 27, from 4pm until 7pm, it is designed to inspire individuals looking to start a business for the first time.

There, people eager to start their own venture or looking to connect with like-minded individuals have a platform to spark new ideas, exchange experiences, and forge invaluable connections.

Attendees can enjoy taster workshops, providing a glimpse of the available free support, offering valuable advice and practical tips on starting a business, covering topics such as starting a business with limited funds, the fundamentals of market research and assessing the potential success of a business idea.

Three people from Tameside who have thrived with support from GM Business Growth Hub, will be at the event – Candice Bannister, founder of Candy’s Cupcakes, Brianna Harvey, owner of Digital Flamingo and Ngwafu Tansie, founder and chef of Gwafu Vegan.

Dukinfield’s Candice said: “I have worked with GM Business Growth Hub since the early days of my business journey and their support has been invaluable.

“This year, I was honoured to win the Pride of Tameside Award for Entrepreneur of the Year, which was fantastic to receive this recognition from the Tameside business community.

Ashton-based Brianna added: “GM Business Growth Hub has been an invaluable partner throughout my entrepreneurial journey.

“Their workshops equipped me with the essential tools to launch my business, and years later, their specialised support proved instrumental when I encountered new challenges.

“Thanks to their guidance, I’m now thriving in a direction I’m truly passionate about!”

And Droylsden’s Ngwafu said: “I saw a gap in the market for vegan West African food, specifically Cameroonian food in Manchester.

“I wanted to showcase how fantastic Cameroonian food is. I applied for the business start-up programme EnterprisingYou because it was great for people who need some additional skills to help their business.

‘EnterprisingYou’ business advisors have ample expertise in each business specialism which I really wanted because I didn’t have much skill in finance and marketing.

“This support led to getting a permanent mentee at Business Growth Company as well as getting further contact in the industry to help me develop my business.”

Yvonne Sampson, Head of Enterprise at GM Business Growth Hub, highlighted the significance of this event, saying: “Tameside offers a wealth of opportunities for all business owners, whether you’re well-established or just starting out.

“We are thrilled to bring our EnterprisingYou program to Tameside with our most exciting EnterprisingYou launchpad event yet, made possible through a unique tripartite collaboration between GM Business Growth Hub, BIPC (libraries), and the local authority.

“With a variety of support options available, Tameside is a dynamic community brimming with successful entrepreneurs.”