Black Country Chamber shares its top business tips with Walsall College’s future entrepreneurs

Students at Walsall College are discovering that the entrepreneurial spirit is thriving locally thanks to the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s range of start-up support services.

The college invited Chamber experts, Alison Trinder who heads up the Start-Up Business Club and Sarah Walker, The Enterprise Manager along to meet students.  The aim was to provide a better understanding of how to start a new business venture and what challenges they may face.  Both shared information and top tips to help students become the next generation of business owners.

Since the launch of the Start-Up Club in 2018, the Chamber has offered tailored business advice and support to over 200+ new start up businesses owners, helping them to grow and take their business to the next level – turning their dreams into reality.

The event was part of a Virtual Work Experience Week developed by the college’s work experience team, in conjunction with industry bodies and employers.

“Self-employment is something that around 50% of young people think about doing,” said Jackie Bradnick, Work Experience Coordinator at the college.  “We know our students are bursting with ideas, so it’s important that they are encouraged to do more than dream.”

She added: “The start-up advice our business and construction students received from the Chamber reinforced the challenges and rewards of being your own boss.  They proved what can be made possible with the right ideas, business-plan, work ethic and community network.

“It will be exciting to see how much more enterprising everyone becomes over the next few years.”

The Chamber were joined by Business Start-Up Club member, Claire Cooksey, owner of CS Bookkeeping Services.  She described how she started out as a freelance bookkeeper before turning her business into a limited company with national industry and award recognition.

Employers interested in supporting Walsall College’s work experience and industry placement activities in future can contact them at workexperience@walsallcollege.ac.uk