Business and IP Centre North East (BIPC): Local Provision
Our project aims to support the creation and growth of micro, small and medium sized enterprises, social enterprises and not-for profit organisations predominantly within Gateshead.
Business & IP Centre North East will continue to deliver free to access support to businesses, pre-starts and not-for-profit organisations via the 'BIPC Local' situated in Blaydon Library, Gateshead including one to one advice from BIPC's 40+ Experts in Residence, access to market intelligence & business information databases, Intellectual Property, plus enjoy a bespoke programme of practical events and topical workshops.
As part of this project, BIPC North East's Experts in Residence will be supporting eligible Gateshead SMEs through the Citylife Business Support Programme, which includes providing a grant to SMEs enabling them to access an additional 12 hours of fully funded support from any one (or divided between two) of our Experts in Residence. The support would be delivered via a grant direct to the SMEs, enabling them to access Citylife Expert support.
Contact:
Sarah Turnbull
sarah.turnbull@newcastle.gov.uk
07971 036 494
www.bipcnortheast.co.uk (opens new window)
Case Studies
Citylife Business Support - Lifejoy
Tell us a little bit about your business. When did you start up, how many people do you employ, what products/services do you provide and who are your typical customers?
I am a life-coach and author of five books. I offer a unique coaching and counselling philosophy of the LIFEJOY protocol and that fits clients according to their needs. I love my work which stems from decades of adversity and finding coping strategies through immense amounts of illness and restriction. Now I try to find some loving purpose from those experiences to help others. I started after realising that my health was too frail to work in a normal way so being self-employed was my only option. I've been earning well for more than a decade and helped lots of good souls shine brighter. I offer 1-2-1 coaching sessions, books and courses. MY clients are usually women, in two age brackets with creative businesses, neurodiversity issues and energy management challenges. They are brave and brilliant!
What support did you seek to help your business grow and develop?
I've always looked to listen and learn. Any support has been appreciated greatly and I hope that I have passed that onwards. The support I have sought has usually about business strategy, marketing and tech help! I've done so much social media training and general business learning!
What was the nature of the support provided?
Professional photography. I had needed them for so long but not been well enough to manage it.
Has the support that you have received from the Citylife Business Support Expert(s) helped you to move your business forward? And how?
It made my website look so much better and my social media much more professional.
Has the Citylife support that you received helped to safeguard the future of your business and any employees?
Yes thank you. I have more clients now.
How did you find the Citylife application process?
I appreciated the staff and the tone of their emails very much. It was easy and pleasant.
Would you recommend other businesses get in touch with Citylife?
Absolutely!