insideKENT Magazine Issue 60 - March 2017 | Page 154

BUSINESS

BUSINESS HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IS A 24 / 7 ENDEAVOUR – THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE TO CHASE ABOUT SOMETHING . IT ’ S STRESSFUL AND IT ’ S CRAZY AND IT ’ S HARD . VERY HARD . BUT DESPITE ALL OF THAT , DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES AND THE PRESSURES AND THE NEVERENDING NATURE OF THE WORK , MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM THEIR 9-5 JOBS , BECOMING SELF-EMPLOYED AND STARTING THEIR OWN SMALL BUSINESSES .
For those who go for it , for those with the right skills and the drive to succeed , running a small business is infinitely rewarding . It ’ s not just about the money ( although that does help of course ), but about the freedom and the knowledge that this is all because of you . You ’ ve done this . You ’ ve made these things , you ’ ve created something , and other people want it .
That ’ s quite something .
No one is born with the knowledge of how to succeed in business , and for many that feeling of doubt and of not knowing what to do is what stops them from just going for it and giving it a shot . That shouldn ’ t , however , stop anyone from doing what they want , especially in Kent . We have a vast range of different business resources to call upon for everyone from start-ups to long established SMEs looking for ways to expand . If you are thinking of going it alone and starting your own small business – or if you ’ re thinking of taking the next steps for growth – have a look at the following resources , and good luck !
FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES : KENT & MEDWAY REGION
The Federation of Small Businesses ( FSB ) is an excellent resource for everyone involved in running their own business . Formed in 1974 , the FSB is headed by experts in the business world who offer a range of different vital business services including financial expertise , support and advice on HR , payroll , tax and legal services . The aim of the FSB is to enable small businesses to survive and succeed . www . fsb . org . uk / regions / kent-medway
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
The Small Business Resources website is a free online service that offers a range of different services to SMEs including advertising , web design and even printing if it is required . It is a way to gather all your marketing materials together for a minimal cost , which can be essential when setting up a business . There is a handy business index that members can join and search through as well . http :// smallbusinessesresources . com / location / kent
THE KENT FOUNDATION : BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The Kent Foundation , based in Maidstone , is a business-based charity that provides free business support and advice specifically for young people in Kent who are looking to start their own business . The aim of the charity is to build confidence in young people so that they can realise their business potential . It is a way for young people to find belief in their ideas , as well as a guaranteed support network that is full of business experts . www . kentfoundation . org / business-support-kent / business-contacts
KENT & MEDWAY GROWTH HUB
The Kent & Medway Growth Hub offers free advice in a variety of different areas including import / export , legal advice , growth and innovation and finance for new business start-ups . www . kentandmedwaygrowthhub . org . uk / local-businesssupport / local-business-support-in-tonbridge-malling
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