Start Your Own Business Programme (2601b)

Start Your Own Business Programme

Start Your Own Business is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs or early-stage business owners who want clear, practical guidance on how to get started in business. This intensive, practical programme designed to take you from idea to action. You will become confident, connected and ready to step into self-employment.
 

The programme is delivered over 2 full days remotely:

• From Idea to Direction: Explore how your personality, skills and motivations shape your business idea. You’ll define what self-employment looks like for you, identify strengths and skill gaps, improve time management, and learn the foundations of an effective business plan and feasibility study.
• Setting Up Right: Understand the main legal structures for starting a business and the pros and cons of each. This session covers essential insurance types, compliance requirements, and step-by-step guidance on registering with Revenue (ROS), choosing NACE codes, and understanding first-year turnover and profit basics.
• Tax, Registration & Protection: Gain clarity on the Irish tax system, key deadlines and avoiding penalties. You’ll be introduced to preliminary tax calculations, Form 11 and VAT returns, company registration options and how to protect your business idea through trademarks, patents, or copyright.
• Building for Growth: Focus on long-term viability and sustainability. Learn how to research and future-proof your business, create a website and domain, and use AI tools and content management systems to build an effective digital and social media presence.
• Pricing, Planning & Selling: Develop strong pricing strategies linked directly to your profit and loss. You’ll analyse external market factors, set SMART business goals, create action plans, and build confidence in networking, sales, and handling objections—while learning about key national and local support agencies.
• Confidence, Connections & Next Steps: A collaborative  session focused on networking, peer learning, and real-world discussion. Participants practice pitching, pricing and relationship-building, hear from a Local Enterprise Office guest speaker and leave feeling confident, motivated and ready to launch.

This programme is designed for individuals who work full time Monday to Friday and are considering setting up their own business. The programme takes place over two consecutive Saturdays.