Business mentors needed - have you got what it takes?
A support agency is celebrating after having helped more than 400 businesses to start up in the South West over the last two years – and is appealing for mentors to come forward to assist even more businesses to get going.
The Business Information Point (BIP), under contract to the Department of Work and Pensions, started the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) programme in June 2011, to help unemployed people of all ages start businesses across Devon and Cornwall. Volunteer mentors are a vital part of the programme – successful business people who support prospective entrepreneurs as they develop their business plans and during the first six months of trading. But demand to take part in the NEA programme is outstripping the supply of mentors and BIP is calling for more experienced business owners to join the current volunteers.
Stewart Horne of BIP said: “We currently have 180 people helping with this programme but with a further 400 business start ups expected in the next 12 months more volunteers are required. The mentors are invaluable in giving new business owners a shoulder to lean on and they have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to grow the local economy. They receive a travel allowance, the support of a business advisor from BIP and the opportunity to attend meetings to hear some inspirational speakers on business matters. Anyone interested can ring BIP on the free phone number 0330 1000338 to discuss how they can help.”
The NEA programme is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions and managed by Jobcentre Plus and includes a package of support worth up to £2274 to each participant who starts their own business. One NEA start-up was Roots and Vine greengrocery in Tavistock set up by Jason Biram, whose mentor helped him prepare a complete business plan which assisted in obtaining funding and an action plan, and once the business was running, kept him focused. After five months of trading, Jason’s sales were 50% above his initial projections and he took on his first employee.
Another success story is Lei Croft of Plymouth who was an early participant in the scheme. Having been made redundant from the construction industry twice, he set up a window cleaning business which grew quickly thanks to his reputation for good work. Within nine months he had landed a contract from a national supermarket to clean store windows in Devon and Cornwall and had taken on three permanent staff. Most of his current work is cleaning following new builds, renovation works or domestic cleaning and he now employs up to seven people depending on demand.
Mentor Graham Davey said "I have worked with BIP as a mentor for a few months now. I enjoy engaging with people that are looking to start up their own business and are excited about the future. The mentoring helps to reassure them about what they are taking on and the challenges they will face."
Applicants for the New Enterprise Allowance are referred onto the programme by Jobcentre Plus. In addition to the advice and support received, the New Enterprise Allowance consists of a weekly allowance worth £1274 over 26 weeks, paid at £65 a week for the first 13 weeks and £33 for a further 13 weeks and , if start-up capital is needed, a loan of up to £1000 to help with costs. Enterprise Plymouth are one of a number of local delivery partners of NEA that include Penwith Community Development Trust, North Devon Plus, Torbay Development Agency and Exeter Innovation Centre.
