Local Enterprise Week promises help for small business owners
Small business owners are being offered a chance to refocus on their business strategy, and toy with ideas for growth and possible funding opportunities through Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Office during March.
While the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is open year-round, Local Enterprise Week in March is an intensive schedule of online talks and events, for entrepreneurs to learn and network. The LEO team serving North Cork are based in Mallow, and they work with small and medium business owners to help them to get the expert advice and guidance they need
Throughout Local Enterprise Week (7th - 11th March), anyone with an idea for a business, who’s after starting or even who’s been around the block but needs some direction, can book a free online appointment with an advisor. They can get a chance to speak confidentially to someone who’s got the experience and the knowledge to give a few pointers.
For anyone looking at seriously starting a business, the LEO are running a new ‘Start Your Own Business’ course, which promises to do exactly what it says on the tin. This is a longer course running over seven mornings, and at the end participants will have a business plan done and dusted - a must for any successful entrepreneur.
Other seminars during the week are specific to given sectors of topics. Wednesday will see a focus on Green entrepreneurship, with keynote speakers extolling the benefits of running an environmentally conscious business. Creative industries are served with a 90 minute session on Thursday, joined by exciting craft entrepreneurs, where Blackwater Valley makers will be on-hand to talk about their success.
Friday is the talk that everyone wants to know about - grants and funding! From 10am, staff will talk attendees through what can, and can’t, be funded, and how to go about applying.
Local Enterprise Week runs from 7th - 11th March, and most events are free of charge, but it is important to register in advance.
All events can be booked at localenterprise.ie/ corknorthandwest, contact the office at 022 43235 or e-mail northcork@leo.corkcoco.ie