Rocket Launch Your Business Project (2) – January

January 2021

The Rocket Launch Your Business Project – Round 2 is part of the Community Leadership Programme funded by RBKC.

Participants have to fulfil the requirements below:

1. RBKC residents who have recently started or are yet to start up their own business or Community Interest Company (CIC)*
2. They were not part of the Rocket Launch Your Business Project in 2019 or 2020.

*We may accept up to 5 existing businesses each time based on their current situation on how they need to develop and improve. Businesses will need to complete a form before being accepted by our Team.

PBC will organise 5 courses between June 2020 and March 2021 that RBKC residents can register for and attend in full. Participants will be able to improve their business, presentation, digital, and financial skills, as well as build their confidence to be ready to start their own business. Experienced lecturers / professionals will cover a range of topics, including how to create a website, social media marketing, branding, and pricing.

Each participant will also be able to access one-to-one online appointments with a qualified business advisor to further develop their idea, as well as attend Q&A sessions. More information on our business advisors and their expertise available at the bottom of the page.

Tuesday 19^th January

• 9:30 am – 10:00am: Get-to-know-each-other meeting (1/2 hour)
• 10:00am – 12:00pm: Create your own effective brand story about your business. Tips for your brand story and crisis management (Carole Pyke)

Wednesday 20^th January

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: What is branding and how to choose the best for your business (logo, tagline, colours) (Carole Pyke)
• 2:00pm – 3:00pm How to cost and price your service or product, understand cashflow (Laurie Bernard)
• 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Payment systems & the most popular online payment platforms (Zeeshan Masood)

Thursday 21^st January

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: Ways to make your business visible and get potential clients (this could include free online tools like Mailchimp, Eventbrite, Google My Business, Survey Monkey) (Julian Holden)
• 2:00pm – 4:00pm: The power of social media and which is the best channel for your type of business (Julian Holden)

Tuesday 26^th January

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: How to create an effective presentation – presenting your business idea to potential sponsors or investors (Carole Pyke)
• 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Tips to make your website rank on the first page of Google (SEO) (Mike Loomey)

Wednesday 27^th January

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: How to create a WordPress website and link it with your social media channels (Julian Holden)
• 2:00pm – 4:00pm: How to create a WordPress website and link it with your social media channels (Julian Holden)

Thursday 28^th January

• 10:00am – 12:00pm: How to create a WordPress website and link it with your social media channels (Julian Holden)
• 12:00pm – 12:30pm: Networking meeting (½ hour)
• 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Q&A session with Carole Pyke, Julian Holden and Mike Loomey: come and ask your questions!

PLEASE NOTE: The course will be delivered online via ZOOM (2-hour sessions, 6 mornings and afternoons over 2 weeks) with a short break every 50 minutes.  The majority of sessions will be delivered as ‘webinars’ which means neither your image nor your name will be visible to other attendees; this will enable us to record the sessions, so if you miss one you can catch-up at a more convenient time (using a link that we will forward to you via email). 

To join the course you will need access to the Internet, a tablet, computer, or a smartphone. You will get a chance to meet other participants at our ‘get-to-know-each-other’ networking sessions, please note these will not be recorded.  If you are new to using ZOOM and want some support, please let us know and we will arrange a session to help you navigate the platform.

If you would like to discuss the programme before you register, please contact Marianna at marianna@pbc.co.uk.

To register please complete the online registration form by clicking the button below:

Due to demand, places will be offered on a strictly first-come first-served basis. Whilst we do our best to accommodate all interested residents, a response from you does not guarantee that a place is confirmed.

Our Business Advisors are just a phone call away:

Elsa Caleb: a business strategist with over 20 years of experience, Elsa assisted scores of entrepreneurs and start-ups with how to gain market traction, find funding, and expand growth possibilities. With a solid background as a Small Business Advisor to the Government, Elsa is a results-driven, dynamic, and resourceful professional with the expertise and a proven track record of helping business owners to reach new heights. Based on your unique needs and stage of the business cycle, she can help find bespoke solutions with in-depth analysis, securing grants, loans, sponsorship, marketing, forecasting as well as a business viability assessment. As an entrepreneur herself, she knows the uphill struggles and setbacks that many find deterring, but she aims to provide workable solutions to move past challenges. Through due diligence and incorporating sound strategies, Elsa has enabled businesses to exceed their projected sales forecast and maintain sustainability. LinkedIn profile.

Laurie Bernard: a business growth specialist, Laurie has been working with Portobello Business Centre for over 20 years delivering business training, consultancy, advice, and mentoring. He specialises in marketing and general common-sense business advice and has been described as dynamic, motivational, inspirational, and knowledgeable. Read more here or visit his LinkedIn profile.

Keith Nicholson: Keith worked for NatWest Bank for 40 years, mostly working in the branch network before moving into Business Banking in 1995. After spending many years supporting Branch Managers, he became a Business Advisor in Croydon where he spent 3 years advising start-up clients. He then moved up to a Business Relationship Manager position looking after a portfolio of 200 SME customers. Again an advisory role with lending responsibility which involved credit analysis, assessing business plans, financials, and forecasts relating to borrowing requests. For the past 10 years he has worked in the Corporate and Commercial Division, still in a relationship role, but with a smaller number of clients. Still an advisory role, but more focused on lending and looking at other avenues for funding, including private equity, crowd funding, asset finance, and invoice finance. LinkedIn profile.