A new, free, local service is offering advice and support to small business owners and start-ups in Sturminster Newton
SMALL and new businesses in the Sturminster Newton area are being helped on the road to success by the new Nexus service.
Nexus, which launched last October and is free to users, comes under the umbrella of the Sturminster Newton Community Benefit Society, which runs The Emporium, 1855 and The Boutique.
Chris Spackman and Mike Chapman, both of whom have many years’ experience mentoring businesses, are running the ‘incubator service’.
Nexus has already advised business people from those with an early idea, to new businesses and established small businesses.
These have included individuals working in the areas of dog services, cider making, weddings, hairdressing, children’s books, jewellery, music and musical instruments.
Chris Spackman, from Nexus, said: “Nexus’s contribution has included helping people new to business to answer key questions such as ‘how do I start one’, ‘do I have what it takes to do this’, ‘is my idea any good’, ‘how do I get customers to buy what I offer’ and, for existing businesses, ‘how can I deal with challenges I am facing making my business pay’.
“These are age-old questions and the answers are never easy. Having someone with experience to help you work through them, and to give you the support and encouragement to be successful, is a real benefit of the sort of support Nexus can offer.”
Nexus is about to start practical, informal and hands-on free evening workshops for people new to business.
Networking opportunities will also be on offer through the year in the space above The Emporium at events with contributions from successful local businesses.
Anyone interested in joining in can contact Chris on 07771 517913 or by email at christopherjspackman@yahoo.co.uk, or the team at The Emporium or 1855.