Copeland Council is offering young entrepreneurs the chance to be part of its mentorship programme.
Business minded young residents aged 16 to 25 will receive one-to-one mentorship from experienced professionals and a bespoke one-day course covering business viability, networking, management skills and more.
The young entrepreneurs will also receive a £300 grant to support their business idea and a free pitch at Copeland’s monthly Young Entrepreneurs’ Market in Whitehaven.
Mike Starkie, mayor, said: “Support and mentorship at the beginning of a young entrepreneur’s career can make a significant difference to the success of a business.
“We’re delighted to be getting behind our young people and supporting them with experience, advice, guidance and grants to help make sure they have everything they need in order for their business to thrive in Copeland, and beyond.
“The mentors will provide valuable business insight, experience, encouragement and moral support and the bespoke course will provide the foundations for running a successful business.
“I’d encourage any young person with a business idea and a drive to succeed to get in touch and not to miss the opportunity to benefit from this fantastic offer of support.”
Amber Shankland, young entrepreneur and owner of Love at First Bite, said: “The Young Entrepreneurs Markets are a fantastic opportunity for young people to promote their businesses locally, without great expense.
“It encourages you to meet new people, develop your business and marketing skills and is a great platform for you to make your business known.”
A spokesman from Kultuur, an apparel business that will benefit from the Young Entrepreneurs mentorship programme said: “As a young business selling products online, the market has been invaluable for us.
“We’ve been able to showcase our products physically, interact with our customers face to face and receive proper feedback to allow us to improve and further develop what we do.
“It’s also been great for us to show the faces behind the brand so people can better understand our motivations for starting it.”
The next mentorship course will be held on Friday, November 12, and there are a few spaces available.
November’s Young Entrepreneurs Market will be held on November 13, from 10am until 3pm, on King Street, Whitehaven.
Young entrepreneurs in Copeland should email Jenny Brumby, business liaison officer, at jenny.brumby@copeland.gov.uk.
