Support
Want to take your business dream further and make it a reality?
Once you have registered and received an application pack from STWLC – ALL of the below organisations will offer one initial individual session FREE OF CHARGE and without obligation.
Standard Support
Rowleys (Accountants)
Based at Charnwood House, Meridian Business Park, Harcourt Way, Leicester, LE19 1WP; Bryan Freeman (bryan@rowleys.biz) will review and assist with the production of a business plan. Telephone: 0116 282 7000.
Mark Taft – Local Enterprise Manager NatWest
Mark can meet with you on a 1 to 1 basis for an open discussion regarding your business goals and ambitions or anything that is on your own agenda. This is suitable whether you are at idea validation stage and looking to launch very soon, just started with some traction or ready to grow and scale your business to the next stage. Mark supports businesses within Leicestershire and Rutland. Working closely within the business marketplace to support, develop and add value to SMEs by providing business advice, bringing together local businesses and hosting regular events. Events and 1 to 1 sessions are open to all – you do not have to be a NatWest customer. Contact Mark by email at mark.taft@natwest.com
Leicester Startups
www.leicesterstartups.com is a local support network which helps startup entrepreneurs, amongst other things, access advice, mentorship and connect with potential co-founders.
Leicestershire Business Advice Service
The Leicestershire Business Advice Service is available to entrepreneurs and business owners in Leicestershire. It provides those running or looking to start a business with advice and workshops, tailored to your current business stage. Find out more at www.bizgateway.org.uk/business-support/leicestershire-business-advice-service
Pro Active Resolutions – Accountancy and Business Support
Based in the Forester Building, St Nicholas Place, Leicester, LE1 4LD. Please contact Mahmood Reza on 0116 224 7122 or email: mahmood@proactiveresolutions.com. Free resources can also be accessed on the business support section of their website, www.proactiveresolutions.com
Daljit Ghai – Chief Executive Officer – RDS Consultants
Daljit supports SME businesses as a consultant, to increase efficiency and maximise profits and is offering two one-hour sessions (two hours in total) of free support. To access the support please contact Daljit direct via email: dsghai@rdsconsultants.co.uk. Mobile: 07732 930770 www.rdsconsultants.co.uk
Sharman Fielding (Accountants)
Located at 57 The Oval, Leicester, LE1 7EA; Mr Sandesh Jesrani will review and assist with the production of a business plan. Telephone: 0116 233 7707. Email: sdj@sharmanfielding.com
HSP Tax (Accountants)
Based at Whiteacres, Off Cambridge Road, Whetstone, LE8 6ZG; Tessa Fowler will provide assistance with your business plan. Telephone: 0116 326 9050.
Mayfield & Co (Accountants)
Based at 2 Merus Court, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1RJ. Thomas Mayfield will provide assistance in reviewing or preparing your business plan. Telephone: 0116 289 6000. Email: admin@mayfieldandco.co.uk
PWH Accountancy
Based at The Counting House, High Street, Lutterworth, LE17 4AY. Contact Roger Platt on 01455 243773 or via email: rap@pwhaccountancy.com
Creating Your Business Plan
A business plan is arguably the most important document you will create when starting up your new business. An effective business plan is simply a comprehensive statement, written down, that outlines your business and portrays a thorough plan of action.
Here at the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, we request copies of your business plans to be submitted along with your completed application form – and we only accept plans completed within our template, which is delivered to you as part of your application pack.
However, some people struggle to know what to include in their business plan – no matter how fantastic their business idea may be. Here are six quick tips to help you get your idea down on paper.
Before You Get Started
This is the point where you collate all of your detailed research, assumptions and random musings and get them written down on paper, so that you can refer to them when completing relevant sections of your business plan. Be focused; this plan is the first form in which the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity will see your business, so it’s important to ensure that your enthusiasm and attention to detail are apparent.
A business plan is a necessity, whether it’s to achieve funding or provide clear direction as you’re getting started. Although the plan may change as you’re getting started, without a business plan from the word ‘go’, your business will eventually run into trouble.
Step 1 – Describe Your Business
Generate a mission statement for your business and accompany it with a company overview. What are your company’s core values and how will they be incorporated into the service/products provided to customers or clients?
Step 2 – Products and Services
State the exact nature of products/services that your company will be providing; also identifying ways in which your business is different from that of your potential competitors. Finish by defining the benefits of using your company and explain who your target markets are and why they should go to you. Also mention how you will go about finding more customers or clients.
Step 3 – Marketing/Sales: Know Your Market
Set a value on your product or services and provide detail of your customer profile. From there, evaluate what you can afford and simply what you MUST do to promote your business. How will it attract and maintain your customers/clients?
Step 4 – Forecasts
Produce a SWOT analysis. SWOT is the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats you believe to be integral to your business’ market. Simply put, these are your best and worst-case scenarios.
Step 5 – Management Team
Outline your team, their job descriptions and responsibilities – even if you’re initially a one-man band. Recognise you (and your team’s if relevant) strengths and weaknesses, and identify the areas that may require additional recruitment or outsourcing.
Step 6 – Financials
This may include a personal financial statement, a break-even analysis and a 12-month profit and loss projection. Not only is this important for us at the Charity in considering your application; it is also helpful in allowing you to develop a strategy in using the funds already available to best effect.
Useful Links
You can access help and advice on your business idea from a number of different agencies. Here are some you might find useful:
www.gov.uk/browse/business – a national website with a wide range of information
www.llep.org.uk – a local partnership with information on advice and support in Leicester and Leicestershire
www.emc-dnl.co.uk – the chamber of commerce
www.lboro.ac.uk/studententerprise -Loughborough University Student and Graduate Enterprise
www.fsb.org.uk/regions/east-midlands – Federation of Small Businesses; East Midlands
Please note: The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity does not endorse the content of any of these websites.
If you are resident in Northampton and are looking for support with your education, please contact the Sir Thomas White’s Northampton Charity at:
Email: info@stwcharitynorthampton.org.uk
Website: www.stwcharitynorthampton.org.uk
Telephone: 01604 233233
Address: Elgin House, Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AU
If you are resident in Warwick and are looking for support with your education or business start up, please contact The Charity of Sir Thomas White, Warwick at:
Email: connect@sirthomaswhite.org.uk
Website: www.sirthomaswhite.org.uk
Telephone: 01926 350555
Address: 12 High Street, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4AP