Ready, Steady, Go: Preparing Your Business for Launch

Cost: Free

This event is part of Go Succeed, a support service from local councils in Northern Ireland that can help to start, grow or scale a business.

Having a business idea is an exciting first step but turning that idea into something ready to launch can feel overwhelming. From understanding your customer and setting your prices to registering the business, promoting it and making your first sales, there can be a lot to consider.

The Go Succeed Start team hosts this in-person evening masterclass.

This practical session is designed for people who have a business idea they want to move forward with, as well as those who have recently started a business and want to make sure they have the right foundations in place.

Together, we will help you work through the key areas you should consider before launching or during the early stages of trading. You will explore your business offer, target customer, pricing, costs, practical setup requirements and the steps needed to begin attracting customers.

You do not need to have everything worked out before attending. Whether you are preparing to launch in the coming months, have recently started trading or are still working through the practical details, this masterclass will help you identify what needs to be done and create a realistic plan for moving forward.

By the end of the evening, you will have:

• A clearer understanding of what it takes to move your business forward
• A checklist of the practical steps you should consider before launching
• Ideas for how you can begin promoting your business and attracting customers
• A simple launch strategy with clear next steps

In this interactive session you will:

• Meet like-minded people who are preparing to launch or are in the early stages of running a business
• Identify your target customer and consider how you can test demand for your product or service
• Explore your competitors and identify what could make your business different
• Understand the costs involved in starting and operating the business
• Gain an overview of business structures, registration, insurance, record keeping and other practical requirements
• Consider how customers will find, contact, book or buy from your business
• Learn practical ways to begin promoting your business before and after launch
• Receive practical guidance from business advisers who help individuals start and grow businesses every day

Throughout the session, we will share practical tips, guided exercises and real-world examples to help you approach your launch with greater clarity and confidence.

You will leave with more than a list of things to think about. You will leave with a clearer understanding of what needs to be in place, which areas require further work and the next actions you can take to move your business forward.

This session is for you if:

• You have a business idea and are ready to begin turning it into a real business
• You are planning to launch but are unsure what needs to be in place first
• You have recently started trading and want to strengthen the foundations of your business
• You need help understanding your customer or route to market
• You feel overwhelmed by the different steps involved in starting a business and want a clear plan to follow

Please note as this is an in-person event, the registration numbers for this are restricted. Whilst Go Succeed operates across NI, this event is being hosted by Belfast City Council therefore should the event reach capacity and a waiting list is created, priority access will be given to businesses based in that area.

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