As small and independent businesses face financial challenges and uncertainty this autumn, Waverley Borough Council is encouraging them to plan ahead and seek support. Waverley has partnered with IncuHive, small business specialists, to provide free, tailored help to local enterprises and wants more business to ask for assistance.
“Business mentors and start-up specialists, IncuHive, are working with us to offer free advice and bespoke guidance to local businesses, including helping them access funding and grants,” says Councillor Liz Townsend, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development. “We teamed up with IncuHive - itself an independent business - because they have in-depth expertise, not only in helping small businesses get off the ground and grow, but also in building resilience in tough times.”
Andy Pringle, one of IncuHive’s business mentors says: “We have helped many, many businesses weather financial storms and get back on track. We have also successfully nurtured start-ups. There is no business challenge we haven’t seen so if you run a new or established business and need advice, get in touch. Funding from Waverley Borough Council means we are offering our services to businesses in the borough for free.”
IncuHive has a dedicated page on its website for Waverley businesses or people wanting help can contact Andy Pringle direct, andy-pringle@incuhive.co.uk or 07817 065694.
Through the support scheme, IncuHive provides free training sessions, one-to-one ongoing mentoring and one-off advice as well as its popular business health checks and action planning support. Andy says: “There is no doubt that this autumn will be tough for many businesses but addressing the challenges now puts your business in the best position to survive and even thrive. It’s vital to have a clear view of your business, to understand your strengths and prioritise the actions you need to take. We can help make this a manageable task and be alongside you each step of the way.”
The council is already hearing from local businesses concerned about rising costs and increasing uncertainty and wants more to come forward and take up the help that is on offer: “Planning ahead will be key to overcoming difficulties in the coming months. By bringing in IncuHive to provide expertise, we want to do all we can to support our business community. All you need to do is to pick up the phone or drop them an email to start the conversation,” says Councillor Townsend.
All of IncuHive’s business mentors have backgrounds in start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), giving them first-hand knowledge about the big issues and day-to-day challenges of developing and sustaining a business. As well as business planning, the company has expertise in social media and digital marketing, book-keeping and tax. For details, visit www.incuhive.co.uk.