Flying Start Workshops
Whether you’ve a side hustle idea, want to turn a hobby into an income or you’re ready to go into full-time self-employment, Flying Start is here to help you take that first step – with confidence.
Brought to you by the North East BIC, Flying Start is a monthly series of four FREE workshops, designed for people in Sunderland who are curious about becoming their own boss. We cover all the business basics in a supportive environment where you’ll meet others on the same journey, start building your business know-how, and the self-belief you need to make your ideas happen.
Workshop One
How to start your own business
Get a realistic introduction to self-employment. Explore what it takes to be your own boss, decide if it’s right for you, and understand your first steps.
Workshop Two
How to manage your finances
Understand core financial concepts for your business, from pricing and forecasting to HMRC basics and budgeting.
Workshop Three
How to secure your first customers
Learn how to identify your ideal customers, research your market, and use low-cost marketing tools to attract the right people.
Workshop Four
How to use social media for business
A beginner-friendly guide to leveraging social platforms to build awareness, engage audiences and promote your products or services.
Book your place
Get your business off to a flying start with all the information you need to go from planning and research to launch.
Book NowWho it's for
- Anyone living in the Sunderland Local Authority area
- People curious about self-employment or with a business idea
- Individuals not yet registered as self-employed with HMRC
- Those who prefer live, interactive sessions with actionable advice
What you get
- Free live online or face-to-face training from experienced business advisers
- Opportunity to book follow-up one-to-one advice
- Access to Smarta online learning modules to go deeper into topics
Meet your workshop hosts
You’ll be supported throughout by one of our experienced and friendly business advisers, who’ve all run their own businesses and know the reality of self-employment.
Helen Wardropper | Hina Joshi | Kelly Marshall
Ongoing Support
After learning the business basics from the Flying Start workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to book a free one-to-one session with a business adviser to dive deeper into your business idea and build a plan that suits your goals and circumstances. This is your gateway to everything else the BIC offers to help businesses get off the ground and grow.
You’ll also unlock free access to 44 Smarta online learning modules to explore topics including digital marketing, intellectual property, health and safety, and more. Dip in and out at your own pace to go deeper into topics that interest you most.
Flying Start workshops are a strand of the Enterprising Sunderland project, which forms part of Sunderland’s Business Support Programme and is funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement. The Enterprising Sunderland project is delivered by a unique consortium of partners working collaboratively across the city to stimulate entrepreneurial ambition.
