Business boot camp

College hosts workshops

Budding entrepreneurs have been given a boost at a special boot camp.

Beth Brownlee, deputy head for business and creative at West Lothian College, organised the three-day long ‘Be Your Own Boss’ events, designed to encourage and promote self-employment amongst students and provided an excellent opportunity for continual professional development for staff. The students and staff heard from various business support organisations, including Business Gateway, the Prince’s Trust and Acorn Enterprise. Beth Brownlee, said: “The event was a huge success. It really proved to many of our students that they have the capability and the resources to be whatever they wish to be and to start their own business if they want to go down that route. I would like to thank everyone who took part so enthusiastically and also our supporters who came along to share their experiences and knowledge with us.”

Students and staff undertook activities which were designed to explore where business ideas come from, how to develop problem solving skills and how to determine if an idea for a new business is viable. The Prince’s Trust and Business Gateway provided an insight into the support which they can offer new businesses. The group also heard from Charlotte Martin, a successful young entrepreneur who runs the Baby Ballet franchise and who received good support from Prince’s Trust when she was setting up.Acorn Enterprise, whose mission is to grow Scotland’s start-up business culture, ran a number of workshops with activities which were designed to: debunk common start-up myths, explore the tools, support and resources available to new business owners and teach practical skills to help people launching a new business.

On the final day of the Boot Camp the students took part in a “Dragons’ Den” type event which was supported by Richard McAdam, a recent graduate from the college’s BA in Business Management course. Students pitched their ideas for their new and existing businesses, including photography, art and business services. The events culminated in them delivering their pitch to the panel of judges.

The winner was Shirley-Ann Hughes who has just launched a new business of her own ‘April Admin Virtual Assistant’. Shirley-Ann said “I had an amazing three days at the Boot Camp and as well as gaining confidence in myself, I also learned some very useful skills which will help immensely going forward with my new venture.”

Acorn Enterprise’s chief enterprise officer, Kallum Russell said: “We had a fantastic time working with a really talented, enthusiastic and fun bunch of people. Having run quite a few of these now, I’m always impressed by the real willingness to learn and genuine interest in business.”

I learned some very useful skills