Start Your Own Business (SYOB)
A practical, interactive programme designed for individuals considering a new business venture or running an early‑stage micro‑business (under 9 months). Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, reduce risk, and turn your ideas into a viable business.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the programme, you will understand how to set up and run a business and have the tools and guidance needed to complete a full business plan.
1. Enterprise & Self‑Employment
Learn how to assess your business idea, understand self‑employment, explore buying a business/franchise, carry out feasibility checks, choose a location, and identify start‑up costs and resource needs.
2. Legal Structures & Regulations
Overview of sole trader, partnership, and limited company structures, how to register them, and key legal requirements including employment law, health & safety, GDPR, insurance, IP, and online selling.
3. Market Research
Understand why research matters and how to conduct it. Includes competitor, customer, and industry analysis plus completing the research section of your business plan.
4. Marketing Strategy
Covers branding, promotion, the marketing mix, digital marketing (SEO + major social platforms), pricing, sales planning, and developing strong sales presentations and an elevator pitch.
5. Finance & Taxation
Learn tax registration, bookkeeping basics, CRO requirements, income/corporation tax, VAT, ROS, and how to create cashflow and profit & loss projections.
6. Business Planning, Finance & Funding
Complete a full business plan (template provided), build 3‑year financial projections, and explore funding options from LEO, BTWEA, grants, Microfinance, banks, and Enterprise Ireland. Includes recruitment, leadership, and delegation basics.
All Classes will be run in an interactive setting to allow for questions from participants as well as practical examples of how these things can affect the businesses in the room rather than hypothetical examples.
