Belfast based entrepreneur, Natasha Rollinson seized a golden opportunity to follow her dream of launching her own handcrafted jewellery business, N. Rollinson. Natasha is pictured with her business advisor, Dave Murphy, CEO, North City Business Centre.

Is 2020 the year to ‘Go For It’ and start your own business?

 The New Year is the perfect time to set goals for the year ahead and Belfast City Council is urging local budding entrepreneurs to make starting a business their New Year’s resolution with the support of the Go For It Programme.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

If you’ve been dreaming of giving up your nine-to-five job and becoming your own boss, you’ve probably considered a variety of small business ideas. Whether it’s personal training, car-detailing; massage therapy or event planning; make 2020 the year you take the plunge.

The Go For It Programme can help any budding entrepreneurs do more than dream up a good idea - it can help you turn it into reality.  It has mentored over 6,000 aspiring entrepreneurs across all 11 Council areas of Northern Ireland in the past two years through its wide network of enterprise agencies.

It provides expert free advice and support to anyone wishing to start their own business, by taking them through the process of creating a business plan. It covers everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term business planning. 

Councillor Deirdre Hargey, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: “The New Year is a key time when people take stock and set goals, and many begin to really think strongly about pursuing their dream of owning their own business.

“We’d encourage anyone in the Belfast City Council area who’s made a New Year’s resolution to start a business to take that first step with the support of the Go For It Programme.

“Go For It offers budding entrepreneurs expert mentoring on the real challenges facing local start-up businesses. It helps entrepreneurs create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding.

“This tried and tested business plan provides people with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and gives them the final push they need to launch their business.

“So, if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2020, we have a team of experienced business mentors through our network of enterprise agencies that are fully equipped to provide you with the expert advice and support you need to take the plunge and start your own business.”

The Go For It programme is delivered in the Belfast City Council area by Work West, The Ortus Group, North City Business Centre, Ormeau Business Park and East Belfast Enterprise.

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you’re thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit www.goforitni.com.