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Dragon backs regional project

Former Dragon’s Den star Doug Richard has given his backing to a North East initiative to encourage would-be business owners to test out their ideas.

The Enterprise Arcade project has helped 10 fledgling companies take up units at InShops on Bishop Auckland’s Newgate Street thanks to One North East who have injected £100,000 into the initiative.

The traders have been given three months of valuable help and support to nurture their ideas before they decide whether self employment is right for them.

Amongst the unit holders are a ladies fashion outlet, a mobile phone shop, computer repairers, car polish sellers and a home-made jewellery stall.

Californian businessman Doug, who received an honorary Queen’s Award for Enterprise for his work promoting, developing and helping entrepreneurs, is backing the campaign all the way.

He said: “The Enterprise Arcades initiative in Bishop Auckland is a fantastic idea. I wish we all could have an opportunity like this.

“I think a lot more people would have the confidence to try out running their own businesses if there were more initiatives like this. Anything that encourages people to try to be an entrepreneur is a very cool idea in my book.

“The Californian, who has nurtured a number of very successful software ventures, has his own social enterprise ‘School for Start-Ups’ in which he helps budding entrepreneurs realise their potential.

He continued: “The biggest myth is that starting your own business is a risk. Working for a big company does not mean you are on safe ground any more. Look what happened to Northern Rock.

“You do not need to have a commercial head for business to be in business, you need to have a passion for something. Put yourself in the position were you are employed to do your passion.”

Doug had some words of advice for the 10 new unit holders at InShops and told the fledgling entrepreneurs to grab the opportunity with both hands.

He said: “Just because this is a ‘test trade’ doesn’t mean it is not real. Whatever you want your business to be, start doing it today. Whatever customer service you aspire to, start doing it today. And whatever you want to build your business up to be, start doing it today.

“Do not think of this as an education, use it as a real experience and before you know it your business will be flourishing.

“It is vital to use PR and marketing to enhance your business and let people know where you are, what you do and why they should use you.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .