Best Time to start a Business
Whether you call them 'up-starts' or 'start-ups', there's no talk of the credit crunch or recession amongst Ballymena's latest Business start-ups. 16 candidates recently went through 4 weeks of intensive training on the Invest Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme, at the Galgorm Business Centre, and armed with business plan in hand, now seek to become the next Microsoft, or even Walt Disney, business success story. HP, General Electric, Disney corporation and Microsoft are historical example of companies started during a recession according to dotconnector.com , and comfirmed by recent articles in INC. magazine. VARIETY Many business types were represented on the programme, showing that from haulage services, to coffee shops to online print services, Ballymena has bred a generation of new recruits ready to carve their niche in the business world. And they're not all under 25 either! One man with over 25 years experience in Local Government plans to support business clients by helping them comply with Health and Safety legislation, thereby looking after employees and protecting their business at the same time. TRAINING Nigel Flynn, of Elevenmonths, Coaching Training, says “I teach the business courses from Belfast to Ballycastle and despite the current economic turmoil, I am still seeing many eager recruits on the start up course. Todays new entrepreneurs tend to be very creative about their business idea and very motivated about the effort they are prepared to give to make them a success. It is always a pleasure to play my small part in that success" Most candidates spoke highly of the training given, and would certainly encourage others considering business to take the course. Tracy of Tracy's Livin' Dead, a niche clothing retailer, says “The course was invaluable in opening my eyes to the tax legal aspects of running a business.” MARKETING Brendan O'Hagan of online printer www.smilecolourprinting.com says, “ Even after 10 years of business management I found the course helpful and informative for my new venture . Taking advantage of the internet to do business is a must in this age. In-demand quality products backed up by a professional service will do well in any climate” Owen Cushenan, of Vanilla Pod, a new ice cream parlour and gaming centre, says “Its always a good time to start a business, once you've identified a need, a niche, and have a strategy to acquire customers quickly”