Entrepreneurs urged to ‘Go For it’ with Virtual Business Support

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has joined forces with council areas across Northern Ireland to deliver virtual support through its wide network of enterprise agencies.

Would-be entrepreneurs will get the chance to speak to a business advisor remotely via telephone or video conferencing about their business idea and find out how the Go For It Programme can help them.

The Go For It Programme can help any budding entrepreneurs do more than dream up a good idea - it can help you turn it into reality. It has mentored over 6,000 aspiring entrepreneurs across all 11 Council areas of Northern Ireland in the past two years.

It provides expert free advice and support to anyone wishing to start their own business, by taking them through the process of creating a business plan. It covers everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term business planning.

Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Development Committee Chairman, said: “We would encourage anyone in the Lisburn Castlereagh who is currently considering starting their own business to not be put off seeking the appropriate advice and support of the Go For It Programme during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We have a team of experienced business advisors, who are working remotely, through our network of enterprise agencies to provide candidates with the expert advice and support they need to start their own business.

“Our business advisors will help candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such as financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding. The business plan will provide candidates with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and the confidence that they have taken all the necessary steps before launching their own business.”

A local entrepreneur who completed the programme and didn’t let the coronavirus pandemic stop his pursuit of running his own business is Alan Murdough from Revolution Cleaning Services NI in Lisburn.

Revolution Cleaning Services NI is a commercial and domestic cleaning provider that offers professional sanitisation services for environments and surfaces.

Alan also launched his brand of antibacterial hand sanitiser to meet the local consumer demand for high strength germ and virus killing sanitising spray during the coronavirus health emergency.

Alan Murdough added: “The Go For it Programme was a tremendous support in allowing me to move quickly in response to the coronavirus pandemic to launch my business and offer essential sanitisation services for commercial and domestic clients. The business has really hit ground running and my business advisor was the key to this success. She really helped me see the potential of my business idea and helped me with practical guidance and support to get my business plan together.

“The business plan acted as my road-map for success with clear financial forecasts, sales and marketing targets and a robust approach to insurance and health and safety.”

Inspire Business Centre Ltd and Lisburn Enterprise Organisation Ltd deliver the Go For It programme in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area.

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit www.goforitni.com.