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Getting started with the right mentor

    Starting your new business can feel lonely; but help is out there.

    Help in finding a mentor is one of the most common queries we get at the Business & IP Centre, but how can you optimise your time with a mentor? How would you make sure you’re asking the right questions? And how do you know who you can trust?

    In this session, advisors from the National Business Support Helpline will outline some of the funded schemes and initiatives which could give you the help you need right now and ensure you’re getting the right mentorship for you.


    This session will help you:

  • determine exactly what knowledge and advice you need from a mentor
  • learn tips and techniques for how to succinctly convey your questions and get the most from your mentor.


We’ll also hear from founder of fashion brand The Cambridge Satchel Company, Julie Deane OBE, about the times she’s sought out help and how as a result, it’s changed the direction of her business.

At the end of this session, following both Julie’s and National Business Support Helpline’s advice, you’ll feel confident in knowing how to use external advisors to move your start-up forward.

Speakers

Paul Kirtley

Business Advisor

Julie Deane CBE

Founder & CEO Cambridge Satchel Company and Entrepreneur in Residence British Library

More Events

BIPC Worcestershire's In conversation with Craig Carr - the thrills and spills of running your own business

Join Angela Podmore from Kinetic Communications as she talks to Craig Carr, founder and owner of Fairburn Heating Solutions, who will share what led him to start-up his business 15 years ago and valuable insights into how both he and the business have developed. Craig will be discussing the strategies he’s adopted along the way and the key ingredients to success in business, to inspire those considering or just starting out on a business venture. We’re going to find out how Craig turns fear of failure into fuel whereby he learns from mistakes and takes his business forward. Craig will share his favourite business books – be prepared for some surprising titles!

How to build an engaging website

London libraries are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses. By partnering with ten London boroughs, we are developing a community of new and existing business owners, which is free to join and open to everyone. Whether you are just setting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or simply have a brilliant idea you want to discuss, we're here to guide you. Since April 2020, we have offered all of our Start-ups in London Libraries' services online, including our core workshops and virtual one-to-ones with our borough Business Champions, many of whom will be hosting sessions during Start-up Day. To find out more about Start-ups in London Libraries and how to join our thriving business community, visit bl.uk/SiLL.

A website is a fundamental part of starting your business. And in this increasingly digital world, your website is more and more your store front, it has to reflect your brand.

This event is for individuals who would like to learn how to build a website for their business using a well-known website builder. You will learn where to start when building a website, how to plan your customer journey and how to fulfil the accessibility requirements. As well as creating a sleekly-functioning website, we will also share tips on how to make it look good.

Afterwards, there will be a discussion and Q&A led by Loretta Awuah (Greenwich Start-ups in London Libraries’ SME Champion) and Mark Berbeck (Lewisham Start-ups in London Libraries’ SME Champion) around other ways to build your business’ online presence, such as social media platforms, SEO, e-mail marketing, influencer marketing etc.

Inspiring Entrepreneurs: She's In CTRL by Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE


This event is taking place at the British Library and will be live streamed.

For those joining us in person, the event will be following by a networking reception with drinks, canapés, where you can meet other attendees, as well as the speakers. There will also be the opportunity to enter a prize draw.

For those joining us online, the panel and talk will run from 18.00 – 20.00.

The tech industry has a leading figure in Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, who is a dynamic advocate for women in STEM and a champion of STEM in education.

This special event shows how her latest book, She’s In CTRL, is a guidebook for women to take back tech and to shine a light on the women in STEM daring to dream. It will empower readers make changes to the way tech can be improved, but how to get into the room where the decisions are made and create our own tech rooms.

Join us for an inspirational evening with innovators within technology speaking on a panel about the important role of women and diversity in STEM sectors. This panel talk is followed by an enlightening fireside chat with Anne-Marie to discuss her new book and share the stories of other pioneers and innovators who have, against the odds, transformed technology.

Also up for discussion will be a range of topics that will help you to:
Understand the reality of starting as a female in the STEM industry and the challenges of getting started
Learn how women in the tech industry are creating their own seat at the table or ‘tech rooms’ and what steps they took to do this
Learn which aspects of STEM are mostly inspiring and recruiting women today
Learn about which innovations our panel have seen arise since the pandemic that were specifically that were created by women and why they think these have arisen
Hear about new trends within the industry that are evolving and the areas that still need more women involved
Understand the growth in interest in tech amongst women globally, including across Africa and Asia
Learn about the future of tech/STEM with the rise of AI, VR and 3D printing

Photo credit Sam and Sam Photography 2022

Santander - The Business of Sustainability


Sustainability is no longer just a requirement for businesses; building a business that is more sustainable for its people, its investors, and our planet presents a huge opportunity.

Rather than treat sustainability as an afterthought or as a boost to brand image, our panellists will discuss how they have infused sustainability into their core businesses model from day one and share the inexpensive methods they used to help you do the same.

The session will be moderated by Lynne Robertson – Enterprise Education Lead and Sustainability Business Partner for Santander Business Banking.

Followed by Santander key note - Susan Davis

Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Disruptors and Influencers


The world is ever-changing and is evolving especially in the UK, culturally, economically and politically. This inspiring event brings a ‘red table’ style discussion with change-makers, to discuss how they are not only shifting the image of women in business, but are also responding to change and breaking barriers against the odds in a post-pandemic world.

Topics of discussion will include:

The reality of starting a business and getting into entrepreneurship as a woman todayThe ways in which women are rising in recovery within a post-pandemic worldThe opportunities our speakers have found to break barriers, especially receiving funding as a woman, visibility in the press and being recognised by key stakeholders.The International Women’s Day 2023 of Embrace Equity, and how we can best embrace and encourage diversity and inclusion in business for colleagues and peers from marginalised communities.
Guests will hear insights into how to emerge from the unique difficulties of the past few years and still have your business remain in good shape even with increased costs and challenges.

Michael Cashman

Speaker Position

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