Business Guide
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have found that many people are emailing us with similar requests, so I have put together a list of FAQs to help answer your emails. I would like to thank everyone who takes the time to write to me with their messages of support, comments and feedback.
1. DO YOU OFFER BUSINESS ADVICE?
We are able to offer tailored advice about your business, our team have designed this site to provide a raft of information on starting and growing your business. If you want to proceed to the next stage, we would be happy to hear from you.
2. DO YOU OFFER A MENTORING SCHEME?
We are currently offering mentoring scheme, this scheme is limited due to time constraints as we want to be able to offer you the best experience.
3. DO YOU OFFER WORK EXPERIENCE?
We do offer work experience from time to time so apply via Contact Us section.
4. I AM A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET STARTED IN BUSINESS?
Firstly, it is worth approaching someone in a similar field to you and asking them for advice. In this way, you’ll gain a mentor who can offer you guidance and vouch for your abilities. As you may know our founder started in business from a young age and is committed to helping others in starting their journey,
If you are aged between 16 and 18 you could join our business academy, this is where you will get the support required to start your journey, and succeed.
5. WILL YOU CONSIDER MY BUSINESS IDEA FOR INVESTMENT?
If you would like to submit your idea to us, please do so using the Contact Us . If your idea generates interest, you will be contacted for more details.
6. DO YOU SIGN CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS?
Due to the high level of pitches that we receive and all of the creative development that our team does in-house, it is impractical for us to sign confidentiality agreements. It’s up to you to weigh up the benefits of submitting your business proposal to the investment team. If you do decide you need to take steps to protect your idea more information can be found on the IPO website here.
7. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PITCHING TIPS?
Dress appropriately: You wouldn’t ask your bank manager for a loan dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and you shouldn’t expect someone to invest in you if you don’t know what is appropriate to wear in a given situation. Dress according to the job you are applying for, or the request you are making.
Be confident. You should have faith in yourself and your idea. Often I look to invest in an individual as much as in their concept – so show what you can do! You get few opportunities to pitch directly to investors, so make the most of them. Even if they choose not to invest in you, it is a great opportunity to get some feedback from experienced business people.
Be honest about your company and your forecasts. There is nothing more embarrassing than seeing a pitcher crumble when their figures are questioned and picked apart by savvy investors. Do not over-estimate your capability, it will not inspire investors with enthusiasm or confidence in you. Some investments that are made fall through because pitchers over-exaggerate about their business potential, and are misleading about their contacts and their progress so far.
Be concise. Make sure that your business plan can be easily understood by those who you are pitching to and do not waffle. Remember, I want hard facts and figures as well as how you are going to make your concept into reality. What you say must inspire investors, without drifting into a fantasy realm.
Our final, and perhaps my most crucial tip of all, is make sure that you research your idea thoroughly! It is amazing how many people try to pitch to me, without having looked into the market sector that they are trying to break into. Sometimes a simple internet search reveals that their idea has been done before, or that their estimation of demand is completely skewed. Look around at your competitors and see how you can offer a better and more competitive service than them.