Rob Dodd, of Quantum Cabling, one of many businesses that the Guernsey Enterprise Agency has given advice to. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0872034)
THE spirit of the entrepreneur is alive and well in Guernsey, according to those in the know.
Tina James, of the Guernsey Enterprise Agency, which offers impartial advice to people with an idea or plans for a new businesses, said the organisation had never been as busy as it had been since June of this year. And on the back of the success of the finals night for the 2009 Schroders Bright Ideas Competition, Julian Winser, Schroders chief executive, has revealed that they had nearly 30 ideas for new businesses as entries into the competition. The finals night itself showcased seven of those entries, before surgeon Ranjan Vhadra was named winner with his Tenease device, which treats tennis elbow.
Mr Winser said he was always hearing about and seeing new ideas from the local community.
‘Individuals in Guernsey are encouraged to try and I believe that it is in the blood.’
He picked out two examples he had come across.
‘Fenella Maddison’s blue cheese at the Farmers’ Markets. A worldwide prize winner as a cheesemaker when she is a trained nurse, or Ben Le Prevost, who I also met at the markets, and whom, despite not being in our top three on the night, will have a successful business.’
Mrs James said the GEA believed there were a number of reasons behind the increase in new start-up businesses.
Firstly, the degree of uncertainty in the job market was making people re-evaluate what they were doing and wanting more control over their future, while the credit crunch had also encouraged people to undertake more constructive activities in their spare time, resulting in an upsurge of part-time businesses. This was good news for the economy as well.
‘The first and foremost thing is that if they are a locally-based business then that’s money that is going to stay in the economy. The intellectual property will also be based here, which is another good thing.
‘When people come and see us, we’ll sit them down, evaluate their ideas and set them off on the best track to make sure they do the right things to minimise the risks and to make the most of the opportunity.’
One of those businesses the GEA gave advice to was Quantum Cabling Installations, a cabling company for data and electrical services.
Rob Dodd, who runs the business with Mark Addlesee and Nigel Moulin, said there should be nothing to fear for people looking to go out on their own as long as they have sufficient experience.
‘I would tell people to look into it well before they go ahead and do it.
‘The research side of things is important. But as long as you’ve got experience in what you want to do and you provide people with a good service that they will want to use again in future, you should be fine.’
He said for anyone unsure or needing advice about their plans for going it alone, then the GEA was extremely helpful.
‘We spoke to Peter Walters at the time and he went through the pitfalls of setting up a business. It was good general advice, but they are there for you at any time, so if you need to go back to them for advice you can.’
Mr Winser said it was vital to have entrepreneurs in the local economy.
‘The world changes at a fabulous pace. What is new today may be too old by tomorrow. The Guernsey economy must keep up, periodically take a risk and sometimes consolidate. Every economy needs an entrepreneurial base to both survive and thrive.’stostevin@guernsey-press.com
Article posted on 17th November, 2009 - 2.30pm
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