Starting Up Saturdays

How has your business has changed since attending the Starting Up Saturday? 

"Since attending Starting Up Saturday I am trying to prioritise spending time working on my business and not just in it! When I attended the bootcamp I had been running my two little businesses alongside each other for 18 months and I wanted to spend some time really thinking about how I could develop both, while merging them together and progressing / moving forward. The bootcamp highlighted, for me, how valuable time spent setting goals, discussing your ideas with others and mapping out your path can be, and is one of the most important factors in being a small business owner. So since attending I have much clearer short and long term goals to aim for and focus on."

In retrospect, what you think the most beneficial part of the bootcamp was and why?

"For me, the most beneficial aspect of the day was spending time with other like minded people who were equally as excited about my ideas as me. Every business idea on the day was completely different and from multiple sectors but somehow we all found ways that our businesses connected and ways that we could give advice or support one another on our journeys. I think as a small business owner that’s super important and I came away with a new excitement for my business and fresh ideas to action."

How has your business has changed since attending the Starting Up Saturday? 
"When I attended the Starting Up Saturday bootcamp, I had a rough idea of what I thought my business could be (and what I hoped it might be) but literally nothing more than that. It's actually pretty much 12 months to the day since the bootcamp and I now have a Guernsey registered company, a website, a brand, a social media presence (which I need to work on!), some hugely appreciated and valued initial clients, some great prospective clients/enquiries and a load more ideas! SeaScape is still very much in it's infancy but it is on its way!"

In retrospect, what you think the most beneficial part of the bootcamp was and why?
"The bootcamp was just a fantastic way to start getting into the mindset of creating a business and it really helped highlight the various - and numerous - considerations to bear in mind. It was wonderful to meet other people all with their own "bright idea" and to be able to discuss everything in a relaxed and open forum with plenty of encouragement and insight from Jenny and Lucy." 

How has your business has changed since attending the Starting Up Saturday? 
"I was pretty set on what I wanted to do before I attended the Startup Saturday event.  Attending the event gave me a significant amount of guidance on how to take the next steps of creating a successful business and they also reinforced what these steps were.  Having access to Jenny and the team at the Greenhouse for a whole day was brilliant and they supported the growth of my business idea and model."

In retrospect, what you think the most beneficial part of the bootcamp was and why?
"For me the more valuable part was clarifying my thoughts on what exactly 'being a small business' is. Creating and solidifying the Vision of the business to ensure there are constant targets and growth for the business. Which now, in reflection I have hit (and some) much quicker than anticipated. Additionally, the value proposition was beyond useful, and pricing the services that we offer accurately was guided but the knowledge gained on the Startup Saturday.

If you are thinking of starting a business or have recently started your business I would certainly recommend attending a Startup Saturday, the knowledge you gain is really beneficial, additionally it may clarify some things you already know. It will give you peace of mind and certainty that you are doing everything in line with the prospects to be successful."

How has your business has changed since attending the Starting Up Saturday? 

"I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do and which direction I wanted my business to evolve before I attended the Starting Up Saturday.  I wasn’t sure on the how, but I guess when we set big goals the 'how' isn't important.  By attending the bootcamp, it helped me believe my dream is achievable and there are things that I can work on right now to make the first steps towards my big goal.  All the brainstorming exercises helped me to change my perception of how I see my goal, myself and the path that takes me there.  Nothing is more powerful than being able to talk about our goals openly in front of other creative individuals, freely express our ideas and in turn, receive lots of encouragement and support.  I find it amazing what Digital Greenhouse created for startup businesses and their effort of putting together Starting Up Saturdays is fantastic!  I am forever grateful that I was able to attend such an amazing event."

In retrospect, what you think the most beneficial part of the bootcamp was and why?

"For me definitely the Business Model Canvas as it gave me the structure that I needed to see my dream not only as a dream but an achievable goal.  It helped me to eliminate the chaotic ideas I had around my goal and made me do the first steps right after the bootcamp.  It helped me to think about what I can do, where I am and what I have.  Reaching out to people who we don’t know is not always the easiest thing to do, but somehow I found courage to do it after my Starting Up Saturday.  They also introduced me to people to make some connections regarding my goal. 

So if you are thinking of attending one of the Starting Up Saturday events because you have a business idea that you really want to turn into your everyday reality, I can only say GO FOR IT!  What you can gain is truly amazing and definitely life changing." 

How has your business has changed since attending the Starting Up Saturday? 
"We've managed to build a proof of concept, as well as flesh out our systems, to create a product and early stage website."

"We made some decisive actions when it came to moving forward with our business."

In retrospect, what you think the most beneficial part of the bootcamp was and why?
"Identifying Business Vision and business contact/networking."

How has your business has changed since attending the Starting Up Saturday? 

"I wasn’t really sure where I wanted to take my business and which areas of photography to focus on, and the Starting Up Saturday bootcamp really helped me to think about this and also provided me with very useful marketing tools and strategies, some of which I have used already."

In retrospect, what you think the most beneficial part of the bootcamp was and why?

"Identifying my business vision was really helpful because I hadn’t looked at things in this way before, due to having very limited business experience. Pitching techniques will no doubt be useful at some point in the near future, especially because I have limited confidence around this. Connecting with other new business owners was insightful, and being given the opportunity to speak with various local contacts (for example at telephony and media/marketing companies) gave me an idea of the local support if needed. Being provided with useful marketing tools and techniques was invaluable."