November 2013
Local purchasing
As I begin to research suppliers I have a lot of conflicting agendas. Do I look for social enterprises, co-ops and business models I admire? Or do I think local and buy from north east companies where possible? Or do I do what all the advice tells me and minimise costs by buying from the cheapest, even if that means buying my kit from Ghengis Kahn Cycles or Beelzebub Kayaks? Having weighed up the pros and cons I have decided to settle on local suppliers as my primary selection tool, where possible buying from co-ops and small enterprise.
Free support I have been accessing
Today I made my first appointment with North Tyneside Business Factory. This is run by the local authority and it aims to support enterprise in the local area. One thing I have noticed in the last few weeks is how much free support there is for people, especially under 30s, who are looking to start a new business. Off the top of my head, the places I know I can go for support and advice locally are:
Welcome to the blog!
Welcome to my new blog. I am trying to chronicle my experience of setting up a new business in Cullercoats, about 10 miles east of Newcastle. For a bit of background, Cullercoats was one a sleepy seaside village, then it became a tourist mecca. But like most of the UK seaside, it began to fall on hard times in the 1970s. I have lived in Cullercoats since 2011 and can see so much potential for new businesses in our village. The revival of the British seaside resort has started to bring more visitors in recent years, this summer you could barely move for the day trippers at the coast.