A FIFE-BASED entrepreneur, who provides low cost, flexible office space to SMEs, is offering free work space and support to 15 budding entrepreneurs as part of a new 20-week start-up programme.
Jerry Alexander, managing director of Liberty Business Centres, who operates three centres in Dalgety Bay and Rosyth, is inviting businesses less than 12 months old to apply for the support, which will include free use of The Liberty Hubspace, a recently launched, flexible co-working space; Wi-Fi; mailing address, and guidance on some of the basic skills needed to succeed in business. Successful applicants will also qualify for Liberty’s free seminars on the likes of finance and marketing.
Alexander said: «I’m convinced that having the right sort of premises when you are starting out, coupled with a collaborative and supportive culture, gives new start ups a greater chance of becoming the larger, more established business success stories of the future. Even having a proper mailing address can make all the difference and give you the kudos you need.
«Yes, there’s a lot of free advice out there for start ups from organisations such as Business Gateway and The Princes Trust; they have very important roles to play and are respected organisations – but it’s the shared learning environment where you are mixing with other new business people all the time, picking up tips and support from your peers which can have a significant effect on business growth and morale.
«Most of the businesses we have here at our three centres have similar challenges and aspirations – they are run by direct business owners that are used to having to make difficult business choices and decisions.»
Alexander, who, before founding Liberty Business Centres started the Interloc Building Solutions firm in 2001 and went on to co-fund Carnegie Building Services in 2006, claims that his own business path has given him personal experience of how difficult it can be to access the right type of collaborative support when starting different enterprises.
He said: «I received lots of free advice but was painfully aware I had nowhere to go to mix with other new starts and foster some running partners. It all depends what type of business you are founding too – I initially approached the Rosyth Enterprise and Business Innovation Centre (REBIC) about renting an office but was refused on the grounds that my business was not innovative enough to be allowed into the building.
«Often if you don’t tick the boxes in say green credentials, or technology or are not under 30, where there is perceived to be a lot of support for the younger entrepreneur, you can find that you are on your own.
«Our research has shown that daily peer support can encourage you to carry on towards your business goals even when you are thinking of calling it a day and returning to a salaried position.
John Anderson, chairman of the Entrepreneurial Exchange, of which Alexander is a member, added: «Jerry has been one of our most inspirational members for several years now, and he has that ability to think ‘joined up’ – it’s the overall picture with him; it’s as much if not more about mentoring as well as providing the financial and practical help through the free office space.
«Overall in our economy at the moment with the shoots of recovery coming through we have to focus on growth and this type of initiative is certainly doing that.»