Charity offers free support for new businesses in a record year for start-ups
ARECORD NUMBER of start-up businesses launched in the UK last year. Statistics published by NatWest and Beauhurst showed an all-time high of 900,000 new firms were incorporated in 2023, up 12 per cent on 2022.
That brings the total number operating in Britain to 5.31 million, also a record.
London was the second fastestgrowing region, with a 20 per cent increase in start-ups, while a surge in female-founded businesses continued, with more companies than ever being incorporated by women.
Reviewing the figures, James Holian of NatWest says: “Despite the recent economic challenges, entrepreneurial spirit in the country has not just endured, it has thrived.”
This has also been reflected in the Jewish community.
Work Avenue, the community’s leading employment and business support organisation, offers free tailored support and services for entrepreneurs and businesspeople.
Joanna Sadie, the charity’s head of business, says: “We are seeing more and more people come to us each year for business support — wanting to turn their thoughts, ideas and dreams into a practical reality.
“The reasons people approach us are varied — it may be because of a lightbulb moment, desire to fulfil a lifelong goal, need for a new challenge, not being able to find the right job or wantThe
ing to be their own boss. Our team of business advisers then work with them every step of the way, with bespoke business advice, workshops, events and opportunities to share ideas and network with others.”
For new businesses, Work Avenue’s one-to-one expert advisers will go through initial propositions, assess the financial viability of an idea, identify a start-up’s unique selling point, analyse any competition and help create
and develop a brand, marketing and sales plan.
And it’s not just new businesses being supported. Many existing firms and entrepreneurs turn to Work Avenue in both good and bad times.
team has helped many businesses to reinvent themselves and/or scale and grow, through support with recruiting, managing and motivating staff, financial and business planning, development strategies and a focus on marketing and sales.
The charity also provides free business workshops and events in areas including networking, sales, negotiation and pricing, strategy, social media, brand-building and using AI and other new technologies.
Its upcoming Networking to Grow Your Business event, which helps attendees learn practical skills to expand their network and leverage contacts, is already fully booked, with another being arranged for later in the year. This free support is backed by Work Avenue’s business services, which provide affordable solutions and a bank of fully trained freelancers in key areas including sales, bookkeeping, graphic design, marketing and social media, to enable the growth of any small business.
Joanna adds: “If you would like to find out more about how we can help you to start or grow a business, please get in touch.”
It may be a lightbulb moment, a desire to fulfil a lifelong goal