Thursday, 04 July 2019 16:31

Kick starting High Barnet’s budding entrepreneurs

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Those giving advice to potential entrepreneurs were Gail Laser (centre) of Love Barnet. Molly Sobol (left) is establishing a start-up in handicrafts and beauty products and Kayleigh Flattery (right) is hoping to grow her print design start-up Those giving advice to potential entrepreneurs were Gail Laser (centre) of Love Barnet. Molly Sobol (left) is establishing a start-up in handicrafts and beauty products and Kayleigh Flattery (right) is hoping to grow her print design start-up
Business advice, digital training, even possible mentoring, were all on offer at the first Barnet Business Expo which attracted a wide range of potential entrepreneurs anxious for guidance on how to start up on their own.

Founder of the event Winnie Blessed said she hopes to make the Business Expo – held at the Wesley Hall and High Barnet Library – an annual attraction and she is hoping to increase the number of sponsors and stall holders.

Among the big names supporting the first Barnet Expo (2.7.2019) were Google Digital, which offered free advice and coaching on digital skills; the business school PopUp; and Barnet tv.

A well-attended session giving advice to budding entrepreneurs was kicked off with a well-placed warning about the need to make sure a business idea really stacked up and would succeed.

“Because leading entrepreneurs are celebrities it makes it seem easy, but that’s rarely the case,” said David Clare, Barnet facilitator for the Barnet Federation of Small Businesses.

Mr Clare, a graphic designer in retail design at Hendon, works with the Federation to lobby Barnet Council to create a better environment for the business community.

“I suppose the most important lesson is that start-ups usually take time to succeed. Entrepreneurs must work for it. You need great, solid ideas, and it is all about calculated risk taking.

“Failure is part of the learning exercise. It is personal and painful, but if you let it drag you down, you won’t get anywhere.”

You must learn from failure; it’s not a negative, but a positive

Gail Laser of Love Barnet agreed that perhaps the most difficult thing in starting up a business was to overcome failure. “You must learn from failure; it’s not a negative, but a positive.”

Winnie Blessed said she wanted the Expo to become a show case for the best of new and established businesses in Barnet.

“I began organising the Expo in March and three months later I am so proud to have been able to offer a full day of events for local people who are keen to take the first steps towards creating a start-up business.

“This was a chance for the High Barnet community to network and to explore future business opportunities.

“I do hope those who attended the Expo – and might like to come next year – will make contact – www.barnetexpo.weebly.com – and say how the event can be improved and expanded.”

1 comment

  • Comment Link Friday, 05 July 2019 10:59 posted by Sam

    Who is that good looking girl on right? :-)

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