Give me the FREE stuff!! - Building or growing your business

If you are starting a business or growing an existing one, here are some great FREE resources you can access.

Natwest Accelerator

This is a FREE resource available to anyone regardless of where you bank.

They have physical hubs around the country where they provide free co-working spaces and in-person free courses. If you aren’t near a hub there are lots of online resources. Just download the app and have a look round. Read more here

Networking Groups

Have a Google for your local business networking groups.  Contact them and ask if you can visit so you can see what they are like.

Things I didn’t know

·         60 seconds – Most groups will ask each attendee to do a 60 seconds.  This is basically a 60 second summary of who you are, what your business is and who and how you can help.  For regular members who everyone knows, they will use the time to update them on the week or months news.

·         Lock out groups – These are networking groups who only allow one person from each industry, so for example, 1 accountant, 1 vet, 1 life coach etc

Free Co-working spaces

This will vary depending on where you are in the country, but often there will be businesses or cafes that advertise this.  It’s a great way to avoid the loneliness of a small business owner and also a chance to meet other business owners locally for support and networking opportunities.

The Open University

Did you know that the OU have a huge online resource called Open Learn, it gives you access to hundreds of FREE courses and articles.  Have a look here 

The motto I adopted from the start of my business journey has been

‘Say YES to everything!’ Particularly if it’s FREE