All the services to start your business ‘under one roof’

Horsham’s own business expo is a must for any entrepreneurs looking at starting their company - according to visitors from last year’s event.

Microbiz, where stalls and seminars give companies and self-employed people a chance to network, find out information and drum up new business, will be held at the Drill Hall, in Denne Road, on Saturday March 9.

Started in 2003 and run every year by Horsham District Council, anyone seeking business advice can visit free, and take their pick from eight free seminars of a range of topics.

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Caron Porritt, who attended last year as she was about to set up her own business, Implement Marketing, which offers advice on travel, tourism and leisure, would recommend the experience to anyone.

She said: “I was fresh out of redundancy so it was to get information on how to go it alone.

“I think it was extremely beneficial. I worked in the corporate world for 18 years, and things like IT were never my specialist subject, but when you go it alone it’s your responsibility, and you have all these services under one roof.

“I took the opportunity to walk around, network, and get a sense of what I needed to get myself started.”

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Lucy White, of Broadbridge Heath’s Lucy’s Gardens, added: “I think if you work for yourself you feel quite on your own.

“When you go to Microbiz you’re not alone because there are lots of other businesses there. You feel a bit more elated, you come away with more ideas, and the seminars are pretty good. You get quite a lot of information.”

Jenni Graves, who offers calculated bookkeeping services in her spare time for a handful of clients, while holding down another job, said that it was the first time she had attended after starting her service in January 2012.

“It was a nice atmosphere, I was not made to fell I stuck out like a sore thumb, and the seminars were very good,” she said.

“Different people take away different things from it.”

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Georgina Reece-Watters, who was testing the waters before setting up her own business, before ultimately deciding against it, said everyone at the event was friendly and approachable.

The seminar schedule is: The perfect plan 10:15am to 10:55am, by Dee Blick, The Marketing Gym.

Top tips for start-ups and growing businesses 11:10am to 11:40am, by Bryan Elkins, Spofforths.

Exporting – How hard can it be? 11:45am to 12:15pm, by Stephen Golding, UKTI.

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Turn your business idea into reality 12:20pm to 12:50pm, by Gareth Sear.

You, self-employment and tax – what you need to know 1pm to 1:30pm, by Wendy Staveley, HMRC.

20 Top Twitter tips 1:35pm to 2:15pm, by Dee Blick, The Marketing Gym.

Turbo charge your website 2:20pm to 2:50pm, by Lionel Bunting.

VAT – can it be made easier? 3pm to 3:30pm, by Wendy Staveley, HMRC.