Learn what it takes to be your own boss

Is starting my own business right for me?

From perfecting your ideas and identifying the business support available to you, to learning about marketing and finance - we can help you understand what you need to do to turn your business dreams into a successful career.

You don’t need any business experience or plan – just bring your business ideas and we’ll give you free advice to help you explore them. We can help you decide whether setting up a business is the right career option for you.

Complete a quick sign up form

Business courses – what to expect

The course is made up of five free informal business workshops to give you all the information you need before going into business. You have the option to complete these over five weeks or you can choose an intensive business course where all five workshops are delivered over one weekend. Alternatively, if you can’t make a course, we’ll send you the topics and learning materials to learn in your own time, at your own pace!

Workshop 1 - Your decision

Group discussion of business ideas
Find motivation and build confidence
Share ideas with a likeminded group of people

Workshop 3 - Your support

Explore the opportunities and challenges facing a new business
Identify the wide range of support available
Reframe your idea of ‘failure’ as an opportunity to learn

Workshop 5 - Your first customers

Learn about the importance of the customer journey
Think how to attract customers and ensure they return
Understand the role of marketing, sales and customer relationship management

Workshop 2 - Your idea

Identify, clarify and articulate your business idea
Find the ‘why, how and what’ of your business idea
Explore how your idea will offer value to your customers

Workshop 4 - Your first steps

Identify the practical steps needed to set up a business
Understand legal structures, contracts, insurance and more
Get business advice from those who have already set up on their own

Take the first step to setting up your own business

Take the first step, sign up to the Exploring Enterprise course

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find the best course for business?: Start by identifying what you hope to achieve with the course. Perhaps you want to learn specific new skills, or you are looking to switch careers or start your own small business. Clarifying your goals will help you narrow down your options.

It’s always a good idea to seek recommendations from people in your network as well as doing some online research to find the best fit for you.

And lastly, check the course content to ensure that it meets your needs and provides the knowledge and skills you are looking to acquire.

How long is a business course?: The length of a business course can vary depending on the level of education, the provider and the specific programme of study. The Exploring Enterprise workshops are held over the course of one day with each of the five workshops being 1-2 hours in length.

What is a business workshop?: A business workshop is a learning event designed to help people acquire new business skills and knowledge. Workshops can be delivered in-person or online and can cover a wide range of topics including business management, business processes and business administration to name a few.

The format can vary but typically it involves a combination of lectures, group discussions, case studies and interactive exercises. Participants may work individually or it teams to apply the concepts and strategies learned in the workshop to their own business.

What is the best advice for starting a business?: Starting a business can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance and preparation, you can increase your chances of success.

The first step is identifying a need in the market and doing your research to make sure there is a demand for your product or service, and that you can differentiate yourself from the competition.

Make a plan, create a budget and focus on generating revenue as soon as possible. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity and use feedback from customers to improve your offering and make better decisions in the future.