Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Free business support available from new hub
Budding entrepreneurs across North Lanarkshire can access free business development assistance from new support hub E3.
The service, which has walk-in hubs based at Cumbernauld and Shotts, provides a range of support and advice for those looking to start or expand their businesses.
It includes “give it a go” grants of up to £300 for anyone aged 16 to 30 in Airdrie and Coatbridge; as well as some help with digital and social media.
Among those benefiting so far is Rebecca Brain, who used the hub’s Maybe Solutions platform to enhance the online presence of her skincare products enterprise, Temple de Luna.
She used its e-learning videos to unlock £2600 of social media advertising vouchers, boosting her customer base, and learned how to use scheduling to promote her products at the best times while combining the enterprise with her full-time work as a carer.
Rebecca has also been able to attend networking events and has been referred on to Business Gateway to look into grant funding and further digital training.
E3 is a partnership between North Lanarkshire Council and Elevator and is funded by the UK government community renewal fund.
It also has community hubs in neighbouring South Lanarkshire, at Blantyre and Lanark, plus a mobile hub van which visits rural communities.
An E3 spokesperson said: “Together we can help you connect with new customers, engage with your current customers and grow your business.
“We offer social media training, financial support, one-to-one mentoring and advice for all your business-related questions.
“You can find us in selected hubs around Scotland, online and from our mobile electric van where you can spot us out in the local community.”
More information is available at www.e3hub.org or by visiting the North Lanarkshire centres at Muirfield Centre in Cumbernauld or Shottskirk Road in Shotts.