Enterprising help for new start-ups

HELP . . . Young entrepreneurs Shanice Martin (left) and Karima Begum, who are starting up businesses, with manager Oldham Enterprise Trust Graham McKendrick

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YOUNG women who are setting up their own businesses have highlighted the support they are receiving from the Oldham Enterprise Fund.

Three young entrepreneurs in beauty, injury therapy and photography have received grants and advice from the fund, which wants more people with promising business ideas to come forward, especially those aged under 25.

Gabriella Jackson, Shanice Martin and Karima Begum are launching businesses with support from the fund. They have been speaking about the help they are receiving from the fund, which is supported by a group of organisations including the Sir Norman Stoller-backed Oldham Enterprise Trust, Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, Get Oldham Working, People Plus, Business Finance Solutions and Oldham Council.

People under the age of 25 can apply for grants, while affordable loans are available for older people or established businesses.

The programme also offers business start-up advice to help suitable applicants present their plans to an assessment panel.

Further support is available whether or not funding applications are successful.

Gabriella (23), from Shaw, has received a grant to help open a beauty salon to grow her business and create more jobs. She has been a mobile beauty therapist for five years, but is now opening a salon on Rochdale Road, Shaw.

Expand

After Royton and Crompton School, she studied Level 2 and 3 courses in beauty therapy at Oldham College.

Gabriella said: "I'm now at the stage where I'm fully booked and want to expand. By opening a salon, I'll won't need to travel, which will give me more time to serve customers.

"I've been looking for a salon for a while and used the grant to redecorate the building an buy fixtures, fittings and equipment. The ground floor had to be gutted. But now it looks great and I'm up-and-running."

She added: "There's great opportunity to create more jobs here and I'm working on getting an apprentice with Oldham College. There's potential for two more staff and I might expand more in the future."

Gabriella heard about the enterprise fund through a friend. She made contacted, outlined her ideas and was helped to present her plans to a panel of experts.

As well as to receiving the grant, she was given business advice from Phil Starr at Business Growth Hub. She said the whole process was thorough but friendly and helpful.

Shanice Martin (25), from Chadderton, is setting up an injury therapy business, serving individual patients, sports teams and organisations.

She attended Radclyffe School and Oldham Sixth Form College and her business is called Bodify Sports Massage Therapy.

Shanice said: "I first got involved with personal training and performance through contact with basketball and netball teams at Hollinwood Sport Centre. I then completed some qualifications in strength-and-conditioning, personal training and sports massage. I want to work on a mobile basis and have received a grant to buy equipment such as a treatment table, hand-held equipment and oils."

Shanice was put in touch with the enterprise fund through People Plus adviser Matt Hannant. People Plus, on Hobson Street, Oldham, supports individuals with career advice, and has links to job centres and the Growth Hub.

Shanice said: "The support I've received has been really good. It's ensured that my business launch has been professional and everything has been properly thought-out."

Meanwhile, Karima Begum (21), from Coldhurst, is setting up a photography business, KAY Photograpy targeting weddings and events.

Karima attended Oldham Academy North and Oldham Sixth Form College. She studied design courses then worked as a studio editor for online fashion company Boohoo in Manchester.

She said: "I was always interested in photography. I've worked at a few weddings, learnt about camera techniques and also taken photographs at First Choice Homes events. I also entered an engineering photography competition with Phil Wareing, a photographer in Shaw.

"I wanted to set up my own business but my first camera was not the best. So I'm using the grant I've received to buy professional camera equipment.

"Asian wedding and events photography is dominated by men, so I think it's important to encourage more women to work in these areas."

Supported

She was encouraged to contact the enterprise fund by James Ogborn at Get Oldham Working.

"I really wanted to start my own business," Karima said. "I'm the only person in my group of friends who hasn't gone to university.

"My mum and dad have supported me all the way, and the enterprise fund has been a great help."

Karima and Shanice spoke to the Chronicle at the new digital hub on Yorkshire Street which is due to open next month.

The three women are due to formally receive their grants at a reception this Friday at Oldham Event Centre at Oldham Athletic FC. Graham McKendrick, Oldham Enterprise Trust manager, said: "Every person's business is different and they need different support.

"We want to hear from people with good business ideas that show potential. Our work covers all sectors. We've helped an estate agent and an IT entrepreneur, for example. Many young people have good business ideas.

"We really want to help them strengthen their plans to realise the full potential of their businesses and create more jobs."

* For details call 07515 188974 or email graham.mckendrick@oldham.gov.uk.