Start Your Own Business - commencing 30/06/2026

Start Your Own Business - Inspiring Guide to Building Your Own Path

• 30th June, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th July, 4th and 11th August 2026
  
  

• 18:30 - 21:30
  
  

• Online delivery

The Entrepreneurial Journey: A Self-Assessment

This session helps you:

• Explore what it really means to be an entrepreneur in today’s competitive environment.
• Understand the motivations, challenges, and rewards of starting and running a business.
• Reflect on your own suitability for self-employment and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Identify the key factors to consider before starting a business.

Navigating Irish Business Law: Legal Structures and Regulations

This session explains:

• The legal framework for setting up and running a business in Ireland.
• The different business structures available and how they compare.
• What you need to know about registering a business name, tax obligations, insurance, and regulatory compliance.

Mastering the Art of Sales: Building Relationships and Closing Deals

This session focuses on:

• Why sales are critical to the survival and growth of your business.
• Practical sales skills, including effective communication, building relationships, creating an elevator pitch, networking, and closing sales confidently.

Marketing Strategy / Digital Transformation

This session covers:

• The fundamentals of marketing and why research is essential before spending money.
• How to identify your target customers and market segments.
• How to create a practical marketing plan, including digital marketing, AI tools, and technology, aligned with your business goals.

Cash Flow Management: The Lifeline of Your Business

This session shows you:

• Why cash flow, not profit, keeps a business alive.
• How to forecast cash flow and manage money coming in and going out.
• Key concepts such as receivables, payables, fixed and variable costs, break-even analysis, and accessing finance when needed.

Fuelling Your Venture: Exploring Funding Options

This session outlines:

• The funding options available to start-ups, including government supports, banks, and alternative finance.
• The advantages and disadvantages of different funding sources.
• How to decide which funding option is most appropriate for your business.

Financial Fundamentals: Bookkeeping, Taxes, and Internal Controls

This session introduces: 

• The basics of bookkeeping and financial management for small businesses.
• Your tax obligations and how to stay compliant.
• How to control credit, maximise profitability, and maintain accurate financial records (books of prime entry, profit and loss, cash flow, etc.).

Sustainable Business: Building a Greener Future

This session explores: 

• What sustainability means for small businesses in practice.
• How to reduce environmental impact while running a profitable business.
• Sustainable practices, regulatory considerations, supply chains, and ways to reduce emissions.

Building a Solid Foundation: Creating a Business Plan

This session explains:

• Why a business plan is essential for starting and growing a business.
• How to develop a clear, practical business plan.
• What should be included in your strategy, financial projections, and operational plans.

This course will be delivered by TalentPool Ltd. on behalf of LEO Cork City.