Press Release
A Business First For Shetland
A new business network that focuses on exchanging experiences and common opportunities for new Shetland businesses is being launched in Shetland this month.
The Shetland New Business Network is the first business self-supporting group in Shetland that will provide anyone who has ambitions to start their own business, and anyone who has recently started a new business, with an opportunity to come together through a series of informal business evenings to:
- Learn how others have dealt with the pressures of starting up in business.
- Find out what support is available in Shetland and from outside Shetland.
- Identify common issues that can be explored with professional help
Jeff Gaskell, Business Adviser with the Business Gateway service operated by the Shetland Islands Council Economic Development Unit, said: “Many people have good ideas for businesses and consider starting up for themselves. This is an opportunity to hear about and learn from the experiences of local entrepreneurs. Find out about support available for new and recent start business and hopefully be inspired to take the plunge themselves.“
During the evening there will be talks by two successful Shetland entrepreneurs who will present how starting a small business has impacted on them both positive and negatively, what their inspiration was to begin, the types of obstacles they faced, and what they would do differently if they were to start again.
Thethirdpresentation will be fromAndy Maxtone,Inverness based mentoring manager withBusiness Mentoring Scotland who will be introducingtheservices he canoffer to the more established businesses here in Shetland.
Douglas Irvine, Head of Business Development for Shetland Islands Council, said: “The idea for this type of business network came from some people using the Business Gateway service. It is a very good one and we are pleased to help organise this first session. The aim is to have similar evenings throughout Shetland if there is enough interest.”
Councillor and Chairman of Shetland Islands Council’s Development Committee Josie Simpson added: “It is critical to our future economy that the next generation of Shetland business owners are given as much encouragement as possible. This type of event will create an excellent learning platform for our local entrepreneurs where they can discuss and develop their business ideas.”
The opening evening for the Shetland New Business Network will be held on May 27 at 7pm in the auditorium of the Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick.
Anyone wishing to attend the evening is asked to visit www.new-business-shetland.co.uk to register their email address.
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