Start Your Own Business - The Blueway Programme

Athy

GUEST SPEAKER ADDED

We are excited to announce that the first session of this programme will now include a guest speaker from Waterways Ireland.  Waterways Ireland is the cross-border navigational authority responsible for the management, maintenance, development and promotion of over 1000 km of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes.

Background

Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan has championed plans to upgrade the Barrow Canal towpath as a 46km Blueway as a major economic boom for the communities it connects in counties Laois and Kildare.

The upgrade scheme between Lowtown and Athy in Co Kildare is expected to contribute €2.5million annually to the local economy, as well as create 90 jobs in the construction phase with around 130 direct and indirect roles in tourism, recreation and hospitality.

This Start Your Own Business on a Waterway programme is designed to give you the skills and knowledge to set up a business to access the tourism and business opportunities around the Blueway.

Aim

This programme aims to enable participants to acquire the skills, knowledge and confidence to develop their Waterway business idea, complete their business plan and start up their business.

The programme covers all aspects relevant to starting a business with topics ranging from self-assessment, turning business idea into a profitable venture, sales planning, accounts, taxation, employees, legal structure and websites/social media.

Participants will be introduced to the most up to date methods of how to research and assess new business ideas, in a speedy and cost-effective manner. Participants will learn where to source and apply for funding, which of the vehicles of business formation suits them and be aware of the red tape involved in setting up a business, including health and safety and insurance implications.

Delivery

Delivered over 8 evening sessions: 20th & 27th Feb, 5th 12th19th & 26th Mar, 2nd and 9th Apr

Approach

This programme is designed to be delivered in a collegiate taught learning environment that promotes on-going discussion, break out group work, supervised individual work and PowerPoint presentation, specifically to suit professional adult learners. Where appropriate case studies and examples will be used to reinforce the learning.