The BIC has always strived to be a business centre with a difference; rather than just supplying office space to start up and established companies the BIC aims to nurture all entrepreneurs who come through the door.
Mentors can be an invaluable resource to entrepreneurs and small businesses – helping them avoid common pitfalls, pointing them to practical solutions and developing confidence levels. And, many would argue that during these difficult times, the role of the mentor has never been more important. Becoming a tenant at the BIC provides just that access to onsite business mentor Louise Hardy. Louise explains:
“Mentoring is about helping others to achieve their goals. More specifically it is about helping with something that is really important to them.
“It is the caring ethos of the BIC which keeps me here, I joined in 2007 and I can honestly say that not two days have ever been the same as my schedule is driven by the tenants and the contents of my inbox.”
One of the many tenants Louise has helped flourish is IT support specialists, DaMtech. Business partners Darren Jarret and Matt Jenkinson set the company up in 2009 and have gone from strength to strength. With a client base now boasting over 150 businesses all over the North East Louise was on hand to help the team of two become five. Darren explains:
“Louise has been there at every step of our growth she has helped us with many things; award applications, networking events, office moves and even interviews for new staff members. Should we have anything we are not sure of Louise is our first port of call.”
Matt adds: “It still amazes me when I reflect on how far we have come in such a short space of time and Louise and the BIC have been instrumental to our growth. The future looks so promising.”
Louise ensures that new businesses which move into the BIC are aware of the help readily available to them, the most recent being ARC Adoption North East, managing director Terry Fitzpatrick, commented:
“As a new business moving into the BIC, Louise was one of the first people we were introduced to. Her warm personality shone through and we immediately gained a sense that she wanted to look after us. This assumption was validated when Louise presented us with opportunities for further funding without us asking her to do so.”
Last year the BIC became a local contact point for Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme. An EU funded programme which is headed up by Louise:
“This programme helps provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills necessary to start running a small business in Europe through a cross border exchange.
“New entrepreneurs gather and exchange knowledge and business ideas with a well established business, with whom they stay and collaborate for a period of one to six months.
“We have had much success with this programme already from entrepreneurs based in Italy, Portugal and Belgium to welcoming aspiring entrepreneurs over here to Edinburgh and Aberdeen.”
Charlotte Angus, an entrepreneur from Houghton-Le-Spring set her sights on Italy to share and learn new skills with an experienced overseas business. She said:
“Louise has supported my application and completion of the programme working in Italy for two months. On a more personal level Louise answered every question as it arose and ensured I had access to all the resources required to complete the programme.
“We have maintained a working relationship since I have came back and Louise continues to offer guidance, connections and words of encouragement to see me thrive in all aspects of my business – I know hand on heart she cares about me as a person and that I am happy and successful in my business – whatever it may be and where ever my journey takes me.”
Managing director of Viztek, Chris Elliott added: “Ever since arriving at the BIC just over a year ago, and I am so glad I did, everyone has been a huge help, Louise especially as her business knowledge, contacts and prompt assistance has been instrumental in helping Viztek get to where it wants to be. Louise’s input has been invaluable.”
Louise ends: “Mentors can help your business grow and connect you with other businesses and people that can help. I always explain the BIC with this analogy; imagine dropping a pebble in a pond; the ripple it creates is the support circles that are available.
“So you begin at the BIC then you have the tenant base and people on outer circles; councils, UKTI, IP Centre and many more we can introduce people to solicitors, accountants and bankers. Working in isolation as an SME can be a huge disadvantage, networking is key and a well connected mentor is vital.”
