Enterprise Island Challenge is just the business

It may be doom and gloom on the high street but according to Iain Scott, the UK’s top enterprise guru, there has never been a more exciting time to start up a business. Iain will be travelling to the Irvine Bay area next month (February) to run one of his famous Enterprise Island Challenges, when aspiring local entrepreneurs aged 16 and over will get the chance to discuss their business ideas with a panel of friendly experts to see if they have potential.

Said Iain who has been invited to hold an Enterprise Island Challenge here by Irvine Bay Regeneration in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Business Gateway:

“Yes, Woollies has closed and banks are merging but recessions and credit crunches can actually stimulate enterprise and sharpen entrepreneurial thinking as people try to figure out how to start up their business on a shoe string budget.”

Uniquely, the focus of an Iain Scott Enterprise Island Challenge is not people who already have business plans and exit strategies in place but anyone aged 16 and over ― including students, housewives, unemployed or retired people ― who has ever dreamed about setting up their own business or has a passion or a hobby that could be turned into a fantastic business opportunity.

Iain Scott explained:

“A lot of the people who sign up for an Enterprise Island Challenge tell us they hadn’t done anything about turning their business dreams into reality before because they lacked confidence and didn’t believe anyone would take them, or their ideas, seriously.”

He continued: “Finding the confidence to discuss your business ideas when you’ve never done it before is a big issue and I would urge anyone with a friend, colleague or family member who has spoken about wanting to set up a business to encourage them to sign up for the Irvine Bay Enterprise Island Challenge.

“We’ve helped hundreds of people throughout the UK get their business ideas off the ground and I’ve lost count of the number who say they wouldn’t have come forward for the Challenge if they hadn’t been told about it by someone else.”

The Irvine Bay Enterprise Island Challenge kicks off next month (February) when Iain Scott and his panel of experts will begin meeting aspiring entrepreneurs on an informal, individual and confidential basis over the course of three days, between 11am and 7pm.

The 15 minute interview sessions ― or “conversations” as Iain Scott prefers to call them ― will take place:

Tuesday 3 February
Ship Inn, Harbour Street, Irvine

Wednesday 4 February
Lauriston Hotel, Ardrossan

Thursday 5 February
James Watt College, Lauchlan Way, Kilwinning

Simply call 0845 60 66 826 to book your place.

Said Iain: “Some people have asked if the Enterprise Island Challenge is like “Dragon’s Den.” It’s not - we’re much friendlier than that! This is a free, fun and informal event that is open to absolutely anyone who has an idea for a business but has never done anything, or very little, about it. You don’t need a business plan; you don’t need experience; you just need to be excited about the possibility of maybe setting up your own business and want to know if your idea has potential.”

Iain stated: “The people we identify as having the most entrepreneurial potential ― and are ready to go forward ― will be offered the chance to take their business idea onto the next level at an Enterprise Island Masterclass which, like the interview sessions, will be absolutely free. The masterclasses cover the basics of setting up and running a successful business and, most importantly, how to start thinking like an entrepreneur. ”

He added: “Even if you aren’t offered a Masterclass place, our research has shown that just getting the chance to talk things over with the Enterprise Island panel can give people a tremendous motivating boost.”

You can find out more about Enterprise Island Challenge at www.enterpriseisland.com or www.irvinebay.co.uk

Or visit the Enterprise Cafe for a short video.