Maybe you are in your final year and thinking of what’s next? Or perhaps you’ve started selling your products or services on a small scale and figure this could be worth exploring some more… You might want to consider applying to Starter for 6 – there are still a few days left to apply!

If you have an innovative creative business idea – a product or service that you reckon other people would/do buy; and need some support to get your idea off the ground, then this could be for you.

The programme run by Cultural Enterprise Office, Starter for 6, offers 4 group workshops, support and the potential of a grant investment of up to £10,000. Although this isn’t just a Dundee specific initiative (it’s open to anyone of any age across Scotland), the workshops take place in Dundee so we thought it was worth a mention.

We can’t offer any specific advice on applying, but it’s well worth looking at the criteria before applying – they are looking for innovative ideas; for example this could be a completely new product; or an interesting new business model. One tip is not to be put off by the word ‘entrepreneur’ – just think of it as it really is – making a living from your creativity!

The funding is of course a draw to many people, however, individuals who have been on the programme have said they actually benefited far more from the great network of like-minded people at the sessions and gain a lot of confidence in business skills, which are done in a very creative, practical way.

‘Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that’ Norman Vincent Peale

There are too many interesting new businesses supported by S46 to mention here, but you can read more of them here.
‘All you need to have a business is a customer and if you don’t have a customer then you don’t have a business, you have a hobby’ Dean Brown

Remember the application deadline is: 31st January 2012 [midnight]
Find out more: www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/starterfor6

If you don’t think that Starter for 6 is for you, but are setting up as a freelancer/practitioner/business – then you can still visit CEO for free one-to-one business advice or go along to one of their useful events: www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk

And as a final over and out, we love this simple, useful and honest blog post advice from Kate at Vanilla Ink: Do as I say, not as I do.