Spring to Action Ltd

About Spring to Action Ltd

Spring provides support to people looking to establish new business enterprises in the East Midlands.

Its services for small businesses and start-ups, including social enterprises, enable them to thrive and survive. There is a particular focus on under-represented groups, including women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, young people and the third age.

Spring supports government regeneration policies through devising and managing a range of publicly-funded projects and initatives.

With offices in Leicester and Derby, Spring responds to business needs quickly and efficiently, providing a personal one-to-one service based on the founding Directors' experience and expertise in running a range of enterprise support projects.

Spring's client base now extends to all small business and social enterprises in the region and it delivers:

• Project and programme management
• Business advice, mentoring and consultancy
• Business events and training

To find out more contact Kate Cowan on 0116 217 9250 or email kate.cowan@springtoaction.co.uk or continue on to read Spring's blog.

 

Support for Food and Drink Businesses

 

Food Workshop

Get support to develop a food or drink business in Leicester. Learn about food hygiene, health and safety, business planning and test your idea and products alongside other food businesses.

Enrol on the FREE 2 day workshop at  http://www.thefoodworkshop.co.uk/enrol-now.php

 

Pitch Up Entrepreneur Competition

Leicester Market has a new initiative to inspire and assist budding entrepreneurs called the Pitch Up Entrepreneur Competition.

With this short term project they are looking for 8 “finalists” who will benefit from dedicated workshops, free test trading throughout June, a £250 trading allowance and overall business support.

The eventual winner will be judged by a panel and will receive a further £500, up to 6 months FREE trading at the market (if compatable with their Business Plan) and claim the crown of Pitch Up Entrepreneur 2012

 

Again entries and further information is available on line at www.thefoodworkshop.co.uk

Entries up until 18^th May

 

http://www.leicestermarket.co.uk/news/pitch-up-entrepreneur-2012/

The Startup Sessions - 21st March 2012

Join us for a starting in business workshop at Kettering's Naseby Hotel on 21st March 2012 from 9am.

The Startup Sessions are designed to offer an introduction to running your own business, giving you the chance to share your concerns, answers your questions and weigh up the pros/cons of running your own business.

The workshop will be informal and interactive, no chalk and talk here! You'll be learning through doing, using your own experience and skills to inform the day and help others, whilst their differing skillsets will help you focus on areas you need to work on to make your business idea thrive.

We won't get a chance in 8 hours to cover everything about running a busines (it takes a lifetime!) but this is a great start and will help you answer the age-old dilema of 'not knowning what I don't know'. 

We will also inform you about other support that's's available in your area and through government programmes.

The day will also feature:

• Take-away guides for business essentials to refer back to
• The chance to get reflections on your business idea from a qualified advisor and other people
• Top tips on key areas of business and sources of advice / information
• Information about networking groups and local support including access to free 30 mins of legal advice
• Plenty of drinks refreshments

All of this for a £40 fee is a great value offer.  This doesn't include lunch - you can bring your own, visit one of the local cafes within a short walking distance, or we can order in advance from the hotel on your behalf.

Book your place today.

Real-Life Entrepreneurs - event by FSB

Local businesses and startups are invited to join the FSB, Sir Peter Soulsby the Mayor of Leicester, Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and speakers to hear about why local businesses are so important to our economy and listen to a motivational workshop by Rob Brown.

Leicestershire and Rutland's branch of the Federation of Small Business (FSB) invites you to a FREE event at the Leicester City Football Club on 16th March from noon til 4.30pm.

For more information Download Invite to FSB Event March 2012

See you there

 

 

New startup workshops in March and April, Leicester

We're delighted to announce a new set of workshops for the Enterprise as a Life project, on which we are a partner. Starting in March, they will cover key aspects of running a business including marketing, getting and keeping money, legal issues, tax and business planning.

To be eligible to attend you need to be aged 19+ and live in Leicester City.  We can support any business idea from gardening, to sport and beyond (as long as it's legal!).

March dates:

Thursday 15th March
Friday 16th March
Tuesday 20th March
Thursday 22nd March
Tuesday 27th March
Thursday 29th March

April dates:

Wednesday 18th April
Friday 20th April
Thursday 26th April
Friday 27th April
Wednesday 2nd May
Thursday 3rd May

 

All workshops are held at St Martin's House (next to the Cathedral), 9.30-12.30am.

Contact us to discuss this further and book your place on 0116 217 9250 or email kate.cowan@springtoaction.co.uk

Friendly Friday Goes Large!

Linwood Centre, Linwood Lane, Leicester, LE2 6QJ
9th March, 10am - 2pm

Spring can be found at this fantastic community event at the Linwood Centre on 9th March.  We're having a stall and will be doing a presentation about self employment. Pop by to visit us on our stand or come and see us speak.

What's on?
Refreshments, Stalls Information & Advice, Arts & Crafts, Fun Activities, Guest Speakers, Workshops, Community & Business Networking

Guest Speakers
We have 11 experts and guest speakers lined up to give talks on a range of subjects including; Self employment, Business Start Up & Development, Social Enterprise, Mulimedia, Marketing, Branding and Writing Funding Bids.

Business Surgery
Come and along speak to our panel of experts for advice on business start up and development, self employment, tax, accounts and marketing.

Taster Workshops

• Email Marketing
• Social Media & blogging
• Digital Photography
• I need a website but don’t know
  where to start

For more information or to book a place Call Beckie on 0116 224 9790 or 0790 000 2530.

This event is FREE, book your tickets at http://friendlyfridaygoeslarge.eventbrite.co.uk

Parking available

Meet / Mingle with Leicester's startups

Wednesday 29th February 2012
From 6pm at LCB Depot

Meet / Mingle Leicester is a new event designed to help local people interested in starting a business to connect, share experiences and meet.  Held at the creative LCB Depot, the event is hosted by our very own Kate Cowan and will feature 4 local business people, who've developed successful businesses right here in Leicester.

You'll have the chance to ask them questions and hear about how they made their businesses work, and the pitfalls along the way.  There will be honest accounts of the highs and lows, and some useful tips for you to use in your business.

Book your place at Meet / Mingle Leicester online, it's free, and includes a drink. We suggest you eat before you arrive though, so there aren't too many rumbly stomachs.

So far over 60 people have booked a place, with just 20 places left we suggest you book yours swiftly too!

See you there.

All new January 2012 business startup workshops

New year, new start - isn't that the common saying at this time of year?  In our experience, it's particuarly true of people thinking of starting a business.  January is an extremely popular time to consider a change of worklife balance and to set goals (and hopefully achieve them).

We're delighted to start this year off with some new workshops, courtesy of our involvement in the Enterprise As a Life project.  You can follow it on twitter @enterprisaslife or read the blog at www.enterpriseasalife.org.uk

Dates are:

• Thursday 19th January
• Friday 20th January
• Thursday 26th January
• Friday 27th January
• Thursday 9th February
• Friday 10th February

All workshops are held 9.30am - 12.30am at St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester, LE1 5PZ

Contact us to book your place and find out more about how we can help you start a business in Leicester on 0116 217 9250 or email kate.cowan@springtoaction.co.uk

This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Leicester City Council.

Christmas Opening Hours

Please note the following Christmas opening hours for Spring to Action Ltd:

The office will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday 21st December 2011 reopening at 9am on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

 

Messages will be taken during that time on our office number 0116 217 9250, however please note this service will be closed on:

• Friday December 23rd - closed from 1pm
  
• Monday December 26th and Tuesday December 27th – Closed
• Monday January 2nd – Closed
  

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year and look forward to seeing you and working with you again in 2012.

New telephone number

Please note that Spring can now be contacted on our office number of 0116 217 9250, allowing you to pay a local rate if you're calling from Leicester.

New dates added - Selling to the Public Sector

Does you business or organisation want to sell to the public sector or improve their success rate?  A range of workshops have been organised including:

Introduction to Selling to the Public Sector - 14th November, 9.15am - 12.30pm

Completing a PQQ and ITT: Essential documents for tendering - 14th November, 1.15pm - 5.00pm

Writing a tender with impact - 6th December, 9.15am - 12.30pm

Advanced Tendering Skills: Winning the Bid - 6th December, 1.15am - 5.00pm

 

• All seminars will be held at Highpoint Conference Centre, 165 Glenfield Road, Leicester LE3 6DJ.
• Joining instructions will be sent to you once we have received the completed and Download Booking form - Selling to the Public Sector.

Get in touch with kate.cowan@springtoaction.co.uk or call 07921 992 194 for more information.