Dartford residents are to gain free support from an award-winning organisation, to help them to turn their passions, talents or hobbies into a small business.
From 12th February anyone from across the borough will be able to attend the Rebel Business School, online via Zoom thanks to the support of Dartford Borough Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The ten-day course shows people how it is possible to start and grow a business without getting into debt nor needing to write a lengthy business plan. It covers topics such as finding customers on social media, dealing with tax, and selling.
It is free for anyone to attend and is aimed at everyone, from those who are in a full-time career through to those in long-term unemployment.
It’s unsurprising that some people are turning to self-employment as a response to the request to return to inflexible office based working conditions, expensive childcare costs, low pay and the rising cost of living.
People are looking for alternatives and finding the option of setting up a business and gaining control over their own destiny extremely attractive.
This was certainly the case for Emma Cann who joined Rebel Business School during the pandemic. She was seeking practical advice and inspiration to start her own coaching business and was being put off by talk of business plans and start-up loans.
She comments, “I used to think I wasn't the kind of person who could run their own business. I didn't think I had what it takes. But Rebel helped me to see that I could approach it in a low-risk way, on my terms and learn as I go. It was great to share ideas with other people on the course and actually start to put things into action.
I use the principles I learned from Rebel in everything I do, and it has helped me to shape a business around my strengths and skills, which means I get to do what I love and get paid for it!”
Speaking about Rebel’s ten-day course, Council Leader Jeremy Kite commented, “I’m delighted that we’re bringing Rebel Business School to Dartford via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we have some incredible entrepreneurs and small businesses in the borough that will only benefit from the support that Rebel are offering, and hopefully they can encourage some residents to take that first step into business and follow their dreams too.”
The Rebel Business School helps people from all walks of life start and grow their business and specialises in helping people with limited budgets. In 2021, the organisation won the Queen’s Award for Promoting Opportunity.
Dartford’s freelancers and small business owners can sign-up for the free programme via the Rebel website.