26th October 2009

Outset Cornwall Unveils £2.2million Support Programme for New Entrepreneurs

A £2.2 million programme aimed at supporting hundreds of budding entrepreneurs from under-represented groups in Cornwall was unveiled today.

Outset Cornwall, funded by ERDF Convergence and the South West Regional Development Agency, was officially launched to key partners and the business community with an event at the Keay Theatre in St Austell.

Guests heard how the Outset Cornwall team aims to support 185 people in setting up their own businesses and create 280 jobs over the next three years.

The intensive business start up programme is being delivered by business development company YTKO, which has recruited a team of experienced advisors from within the county to roll out the project.

Kate McEwen, programme manager, said: "It's our policy to build strong local teams. We know from experience of working with under-represented clients that this local knowledge will work to create superb local businesses.

"We aim to give our clients a co-ordinated and seamless service by creating strong partnerships with other business support services."

So far, almost 90 clients have signed up to Outset Cornwall and more than 100 have attended information or taster sessions. Eight budding entrepreneurs have signed up to Outset's Introduction to Enterprise training.

Under-represented groups include women, disabled, over 50s and ethnic minorities.

Support available through Outset Cornwall includes training sessions, one-to-one mentoring, practical workshops such as time management and juggling finances plus some start up funding once the programme has been completed.

Bev Hurley, chief executive of YTKO, said all of the support offered by Outset Cornwall is focussed on the clients needs:

"The barriers for people from under-represented groups are well-researched and documented but it doesn't mean that we know how those people feel.

"We always start with information sessions, have a chat and tell them about the programme. People get the opportunity to just come along and find out if enterprise could be the route for them."

Stephen Bohane, Head of Business Development for the South West RDA in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Entrepreneurial spirit is deep-seated within the county and Outset Cornwall is an excellent project which will be identifying and developing our future business leaders.

"The team of talented and experienced business advisors at YTKO will be providing very focused support to grow promising ideas into successful businesses."

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "Outset is aimed at helping to remove barriers presented to some people as they endeavour to start, run and expand successful businesses.

"It is one of a series of ERDF Convergence investments offering a variety of additional business support to accelerate the growth of business activity in our economy."

www.outsetcornwall.co.uk, 0800 917 4324

Case studies of local people who are benefiting from the Outset Programme are below:

Case study: Jane Opie, Smart Savings
Smart Savings, based in Redruth, is a community interest company aiming to tackle debt in Cornwall.
Working on behalf of her clients, which can include vulnerable adults and people with low income, founder Jane Opie claims back the fees charged by banks and building societies for going past an overdraft limit.
Some banks and building societies have unlawfully charged up to £39 for going overdrawn, and since a landmark case people have been able to claim back these charges from up to six years ago.
Jane explains: "These charges are not in proportion with the banks' costs. In some circumstances, a person's income does not cover reasonable living expenses, which is why they become overdrawn. By carrying out claims management work, we are able to win back these charges."
Because Smart Savings operates as a community interest company, any profits are reinvested back into the business in order to help more people.
Jane has been working with Outset Cornwall in the last month after meeting Programme Director Bev Hurley through Cornwall's SSE (School for Social Entrepreneurs). Bev was able to offer her funding expertise in supporting a recent application for funding so Smart Savings can expand its services.
Jane has also established partnerships with organisations such as Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, Cornwall College, Cornish Community Banking and Jobcentre Plus. 
She said: "I've always wanted to set up my own business and I always knew I wanted it to be ethical. The funding support I have received in the last month from Bev has been fantastic. She reviewed the funding application I had written with a fine tooth comb and highlighted some issues I hadn't considered. Because the support is bespoke it is exactly what I need at this stage."
Bev Hurley said: "Jane has a really interesting business proposition with lots of potential. I reviewed her business plan and financial forecasts for the next three years to ensure sustainability of her venture.
"We wish Smart Savings every success in its development and will be here supporting with whatever advice or support Jane needs in her first year."
Smart Savings is currently working with around 50 clients but Jane has ambitions to work with thousands of people in financial hardship, particularly vulnerable adults in Cornwall.
Jane added: "I've got fantastic support around me in Cornwall, and it's great to know I can call on a number of professionals and experts if I need and extra bit of advice. It's absolutely fantastic being my own boss, even though it's hard work - I wouldn't change it for the world."
That's what's great about running a business in Cornwall - the support network that comes with it."
Smart Savings is supported and sponsored by many community-based organisations in Cornwall and UK wide, such as Cornwall's SSE (School of Social Entrepreneurs), UnLtd, Jobcentre Plus, Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, Cornwall College, Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Cornish Community Banking, Outset Cornwall, Eventy Marketing, Inspired Design Consultants, Cornish Computing, TC Accounting Solutions, Redruth Osteopathic Clinic, and Elite Wealth Management.
www.smartsavings.org.uk

Case study: Gail Sharman, Pixies, Pasties & Pirates
What started as a home-made present to her son has become a business brimming with potential for mum-of-two Gail Sharman.

Gail was looking for a picture of a pirate to decorate her newborn son's bedroom.
When she couldn't find one, Gail's husband reminded her of her graphic design background and suggested she paint her own.
Her colourful and quirky paintings quickly became popular with friends and family, and she set up Pixies, Pasties and Pirates from her dining room table.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm just a mum who enjoys painting" said Gail.
"I find my work hugely relaxing and I know it's something I was born to do. All my characters have names and their own stories."
Gail, aged 39 from Troon near Camborne, paints original canvases of mermaids, pirates, Cornish pasties - anything that catches children's imagination. She says her biggest critics are seven-year-old son Alfie and her daughter Sennen, aged three and a half.
"They are my little creative directors," she said. "When I show a new design to my daughter, she'll certainly let me know if she likes it or not!"
She also reproduces her work as prints, both framed and unframed, offering a varying price range for her customers.
Since setting up in May 2009, Gail has attended several craft shows where she's received valuable feedback from fellow traders.
She has attended regular sessions with Outset Cornwall and is receiving one-to-one mentoring with business advisor Pam Sekula.
"Outset Cornwall has been so supportive. My advisor Pam came to see me at my home and she brought back my enthusiasm for business. To think that I have a whole year of mentor support is fantastic because I'll always have someone to share my thoughts with.
"I would love to move into children's illustration and explore commercial opportunities. So many people have said how I could take a more commercial direction with my business, from writing children's books to licensing the characters and pictures on a wider scale."
Contact Pixies, Pasties & Pirates via pixiepost@hotmail.co.uk