The Why, What & Who of Starting Up: a birds-eye view of starting up and the tools you need... plus the organisations that can help you. Presented to JCI Mayo.

1. The Why, What & Who
of
Starting Up
Olwen Dawe
Owner - Irish Business Intelligence
JCI - Mayo

2. Who the hell am I?
• My business – Irish Business Intelligence
– Mentors, coaches and supports start-up
businesses;
– Provides strategic advice and consulting to SMEs;
– Project management and consulting to enterprise
organisations in Mayo / Western Region.
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3. My background…
• BBS Degree in HRM & IR;
• Small Business & SME: operations, marketing,
strategy.
• Corporate: HR, strategy, training,
management;
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4. What I want to talk to you about tonight…
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Would you like to know more about becoming
self-employed?
The things you should know…
How to get started…
What’s available to me?
I’ll also take any questions you might have…
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5. What three traits do you
think an entrepreneur
exhibits?
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6. # 1 - Vision
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7. # 2 - Planning
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8. # 3 - Determination
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9. Other key traits…
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10. SO…
WHY
would you start your own business?
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11. #1 – WHY would I consider starting my own
business?
Simply! Because you want to!
Health warning: It takes determination,
consistency and commitment… oh, and money
helps too!
Because you have a passion, interest or
product idea you are energised by and
committed to…
… and you feel you can go the distance with it…
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12. #1 – WHY would I consider starting my own
business?
Because you know you have a market…
… don’t go out into the market blinkered… do your
research…
Because you know you can compete / have a USP
or niche…
… make sure you have a clear sense of your
audience, competition and your ‘angle’ in the
market.
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13. #1 – WHY would I consider starting my own
business?
Maybe you have an idea for an invention, a
blueprint?
Perhaps you’ve seen a product which isn’t
available in Ireland you’d like to distribute?
Just want to go ‘freelance’?
Have skills you can provide to others?
Want to become a franchisee?
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14. WHAT …
do I do to get started?
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15. #2 – WHAT do I do to get started?
Well, this is the time for the boring stuff…
RESEARCH… A very necessary evil.
Many successful entrepreneurs gamble on luck and
opportunity – not all succeed… it can be costly if you don’t
know the facts.
Researching your product / service and its potential
market is hugely important when setting about
starting a business.
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16. #2 – WHAT do I do to get started?
Your research should clearly define that you have a market.
… and who your competition is…
How you will market yourself?
… what funding / monetary requirements your business will
have…
How will I fund the business?
… what help do I need? Financially and support-wise? Do I
have all the skills I need to run this business?
What is my USP? Do I have one or am I creating a ‘Me Too’
business?
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17. #2 – WHAT do I do to get started?
How might you research your business idea?
Through online resources – such as surveys, forums,
questionnaires etc…
Through traditional methods, such as focus groups,
secondary data [industry publications, data]…
Remember: your research data has GOT to be
relevant, tested and follow a method which
clearly demonstrates that you have an
understanding of your potential market.
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18. #2 – WHAT do I do to get started?
Lots of questions to be answered!
When they’re done, you need to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN…
*Oh NO – not a BUSINESS PLAN?!*
Don’t be intimidated by the Business Plan… Remember,
your plan is actually your vision for the business, and acts
as a roadmap for achievement of your goals, which you
review on an ongoing basis. It should be a live document
which does NOT sit and gather dust…
DON’T have someone else do your business plan, you’re
fooling yourself by maintaining it’s your own if you do…
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19. #2 – WHAT do I do to get started?
#1 Priority…
Get it all down on paper and make yourself
comfortable with your business plan… OWN
YOUR BUSINESS PLAN.
If you don’t know what you are going to do,
how you’re going to do it – the finance,
people and processes involved – how are
you going to make it happen?
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20. WHO…
can help me?
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21. #3 – WHO can help me?
There are specific supports available to start-
ups, small businesses and SMEs in the
Western region.
Ensure you know what you are looking for,
and what stage you’re at…
What do I need? Mentoring? Advice?
Financial support?
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22. #3 – WHO can help me?
The Mayo / Western Region Supports
Mayo Ideas Lab [WestBIC]
Mayo County Enterprise Board
South West Mayo & Mayo North East Leader
[SWMDC & MNELP]
Innovation in Business Centre [IiBC]
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23. #3 – WHO can help me?
Mayo Ideas Lab [WESTBIC]
• Insight and support on developing your new business
idea;
• Feedback and guidance for your idea through the
Mayo Ideas Form – available on
www.westbic.ie/mayoideaslab;
• Management of Mayo Ideas Week – entrepreneurial
support, training and guidance week in September.
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24. #3 – WHO can help me?
Mayo County Enterprise Board
Catering for business start-ups and micro-enterprises up to 10
employees.
• Training Courses – marketing, finance, start your own
business
• Mentoring – one-to-one sessions in specific areas of need /
support
• Some Financial Assistance / Grant Aid – based on eligibility
• General Grant Aid may be available for:
– Capital
– Employment
– Feasibility Studies
MORE INFO: WWW.MAYOCEB.COM
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25. #3 – WHO can help me?
South West Mayo & Mayo North East Leader Companies
Rural Development Programme [RDP] 2007-2013
Based on eligibility
• Grant Aid may be available for:
– Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities
– Support for Business Creation & Development
– Encouragement of Tourism Activities
– Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population
– Village and Countryside Renewal and Development
– Conservation and Upgrading of Rural Heritage
– Training and Information
• There are also training and mentoring services available to individuals based on eligibility
Applicants must be able to show evidence that they can pay [and will be able to pay] for the
project themselves
Upcoming information sessions on the above from SWMDC
W/C 13TH & 20TH of February
MORE INFO: WWW.SOUTHMAYO.COM
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26. #3 – WHO can help me?
Innovation in Business Centre [IiBC]
• IiBC supports the development of new enterprise in the region by providing
incubation space and business development supports for the nurturing of new
ideas and the commercialisation of applied research;
• Supported by Enterprise Ireland, the IiBC has 10 incubation units as well as
Concept Desk Space and runs annual programmes for individuals developing
business ideas, as well as courses for HPSU [High-Potential Start-Up] businesses.
• A national programme to develop entrepreneurs with an export-potential, high
growth business idea, will commence in 2012, funded by Enterprise Ireland. The
programme will be delivered by the IiBC, over a six-month intensive period
participants will learn how to establish and run a new company. Qualified
entrepreneurs will receive €15,000 in funding subject to satisfactory
development reviews.
MORE INFO: WWW.GMIT.IE/IIBC/CASTLEBAR
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27. … When I’m up, running and growing?
Other points of contact / advice:
• WDC – Western Development
Commission
• Enterprise Ireland [EI]
• InterTrade Ireland
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28. … When I’m up, running and growing?
WDC / Western Development Commission
Statutory body set up to promote social and economic
development in the Western Region.
• Ensuring that government policy is directed at improving the
social and economic situation in the region;
• Developing projects in tourism, industry, marine, renewable
energy, technology and organic agri-food, and so on;
• Operating the Western Investment Fund (WIF) to provide
loans and equity to business and local communities in the
West.
MORE INFO: WWW.WDC.IE
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29. … When I’m up, running and growing?
Enterprise Ireland
The government organisation responsible for the development
and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.
• Focused on HPSU, export-ready businesses – outside the remit
of CEB;
• Supports include [based on eligibility]:
– Funding;
– R&D;
– Management Strategy & Advice;
– Productivity.
MORE INFO: WWW.ENTERPRISE-IRELAND.COM
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30. … When I’m up, running and growing?
InterTrade Ireland
InterTradeIreland supports SMEs across the island to
develop North/South trade and business development
opportunities for the mutual benefit of both
economies.
• Business funding programmes;
• Mentoring supports & advice on cross-border trade.
MORE INFO: WWW.INTERTRADEIRELAND.COM
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31. In sum…
If you’re thinking of starting up:
• Know your product / service;
• Know your market & competition;
• Have your research well prepared;
• PLAN – make it clear and realistic – BE
PREPARED;
• Know who to talk to and what to ask for…
… and then JUST DO IT.
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32. JCI - Mayo

33. Thank you for your time…
Any questions?
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