After my initial disappointment that the news from Best of Bury was NOT the start up, grant based funding I was so keen to identify, I was very intrigued by the notion of a training course that could help shape and futureproof 20 new start up businesses. I was ecstatic that my facepainting business Dollypops was selected as one of the lucky twenty to form the first @cademy.
Since starting the bi-monthly sessions earlier in the year I have experienced an enormous amount of positive personal and professional growth and development directly as a result of the course.
One of the primary and possibly hitherto unexpected gains has been the immediate, organic network building within the group and extending to friends, family and close contacts of the group members.
I think it’s safe to say that every business in the group has gained a referral at least and at most some have totally changed how they’re working , where they’re working, set up new partnerships and joined new external networking groups.
Some of my happiest times and lightbulb moments this year have been in the @cademy sessions, learning and working within a sympathetic yet motivated group of people in the same position as I am.
The sessions are very well written and delivered with confidence and bucketloads of experience. Debi & Phil make an excellent team and manage the group and the learning experience with a touch of comedy when appropriate,but without straying from the core aims and realities of managing our own businesses.
Having lived through my Dad’s entrepreneurial business start up in the 90’s plus my own current experience I can say that the @cademy is definitely one of the best initiatives that Bury Council has been involved in – a great example of partnership work and thank goodness some people aren’t scared to try new ways of achieving sustainable new businesses in the borough. Alexandra