Partnership approach to kickstarting new business ideas

This past year has brought many challenges, but with challenges come opportunity.   Carlow Local Enterprise Office is launching a new round of Kickstart Your Business and  Start Your Own Business programmes designed to support people in their journey to develop profitable businesses.  “Kickstart” and “Start Your Own Business Programme” – delivered by the Local Enterprise Office in association with Carlow County Development Partnership and the Work Matters programme from Carlow Libraries, provides an opportunity for people with a start up business idea, to work out if it can become a feasible business. 

Launching the programme, the Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Cllr Tom O'Neill said “We are delighted to work with our partners in Carlow County Development Partnership  to offer a cohesive service to those looking to start their own business here in Carlow” 

Amidst the lockdown over the past year, people are identifying all sorts of  new opportunities for businesses, some associated with more people working from home and societies changing lifestyles.  The Local Enterprise Office in Carlow is working with a large number of people assessing their situations and looking to become self employed. 

Speaking about the programmes, Gabrielle Carroll, Business Advisor with Carlow Local Enterprise Office said “The programmes are designed in such a way as to embrace online technology and offer blended learning opportunities through one to one coaching and mentoring”. 

Gabrielle went on to explain, “Once you’ve decided that your business idea is feasible, further support in the form of a six week Start Your Own Business programme is available to help you to develop your business plan.  This year we are delivering this in two ways:  one  is a flexible, self directed, online programme backed with weekly 1:1 coaching session and the other is trainer led focused on weekly group workshops and delivered online.

Speaking about the programme, John Shorthall, Librarian with County Carlow Libraries said “Libraries are so more than just books and we can offer a variety of supports to people starting and developing their business in particular around business research with access to online services and also internet access and printing”.  John continued to say “your local library is a hub for many services and we would encourage people to engage with us and our collegues in the Local Enterprise Office and Carlow County Development Partnership to discuss their support requirements.”

While developing online retail and technology are obvious growth areas in the business start up area, there are many people looking at how they can offer  traditional services to the local market in new ways. 

Partnering on the project is Carlow County Development Partnership, and Annette Fox, Social Inclusion Manager said “We are delighted to be working with Carlow County Council on this project and bring a wealth of experience in supporting clients on the back to work enterprise allowance and other supports”. Annette continued to say “For all of us in Carlow Development it is about putting the client at the centre of the support experience so that they can evaluate if self employment for them”.

Booking for the Kickstart and Start Your Own Business Programmes can be made online at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/ or call 059 9129783