Taking your first steps to promote and sell your product may seem like a daunting one, but the good news is that the highly successful ‘Journey to Market’ Programme, funded by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is now open again for applications.
This bespoke Programme is delivered by Lara Goodall Consulting Ltd in partnership with Nuala Foley & Associates and is available for all those food, arts and craft entrepreneurs. It will focus on those wishing to develop their ideas and hobbies aiming to take that vital step to selling their product mainstream.
To date, four programmes and forty-five businesses have successfully completed their Journey to Market and have taken their product into the public arena, selling to the general market. On Thursday 18th August at Council’s Civic Headquarters Cloonavin, Council will host a celebration event to toast the most recent successful participants who have completed the course and officially launch the next programme. This will be an opportunity to hear first-hand the success of previous participants and the benefits that will set you on the right path for your ‘Journey to Market.’
Julienne Elliott, Economic Development Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said, “The ‘Journey to Market’ Programme will again be providing one to one mentoring to support each participant to develop their ideas and ensure they have the necessary skills to take them forward.
“The Programme takes the form of workshops which provides the necessary skills in business planning, product development, visual merchandising and marketing. As well as this, these new entrepreneurs will get the chance to ‘meet the buyers’ within local restaurants, retailers and distributors.
“Lara Goodall will be the Programme Manager, bringing with her a wealth of specialist advisors to provide the bespoke workshops and one to one mentoring support.”
A knowledge clinic will be part of the programme and enables each participant to meet with key stakeholders such as funders and industry specialists to help the entrepreneurs on the right path as well as support with developing business plans and best practice.
Whilst the focus for 2016 is on food products as part of NI Year of Food, the ten places on the programme are open for applications from all artisan producers in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough including the art and craft sector.
The Mayor of the Borough, Alderman Hickey will be in attendance during the celebration event to present the certificates of completion to the previous attendees. Also attending will be Lara Goodall Programme Manager and Business Consultant, along with Julienne Elliott Economic Development, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to answer any questions guests may have.
Programme Manager and Business Consultant Lara Goodall stated, “this is quite unique in terms of programme content and facilitating those with a direct interest in developing their product. So many budding entrepreneurs are in our Borough and in Northern Ireland, but we have taken it a step forward by designing and developing this particular Programme to ensure those who are interested, get the best possible advice and support available.
“Many of those who have completed the previous programme are doing exceptionally well and will be only too happy to speak to new budding entrepreneurs during the celebration event. The next Journey to Market Programme will commence in September and run until January and I would encourage those interested in taking part to apply.”
To confirm your interest in the programme, come along to Council’s offices, Cloonavin Coleraine on 18th August at 6pm for the opportunity to source more information on the Journey to Market Programme, and ring Lara Goodall on 07793 388 343.