Budding entrepreneurs are being offered free advice on getting their business plans up and running as the PopUp Business School returns to Kent.

Taking place between February 15-19, the online course is aimed at everyone from those with an idea but no cash or business experience, to those fledgling start-ups in need of help to keep on track.

The events are led by successful entrepreneurs and professionals and include advice from those who have overcome the ups and downs of business life.

Simon Paine, PopUp Business School co-founder and CEO, says he wants to help Kent bounce back after a year dominated by a string of lockdowns due to the on-going health crisis.

He explained: “We know Kent has been hit hard over the past year, with businesses closed, trouble at the ports and on the motorways and people being ill, or worse.

“But we believe things will get better and want to help people focus on the next chapter of their lives, where they are in control and doing something they love.”

And he urges those looking to launch their own business not to let Covid-19 derail their plans.

He adds: "Now’s actually the best time to be starting up. Because, if you can make it work now, you’ll be perfectly placed when the world starts to open up again."

Normally the events pull in 200 people - now they'll all be online.

He adds: “There are advantages with online events, the main one being that there’s no limit to the number of people who can attend. In some ways, the online events are also more accessible, because you don’t have to travel to us.

“Working online means people are actually better placed to start taking steps forward. For instance, we show people how to launch websites for free. Now, people are doing that during the course and sending us the links - it’s really inspiring.”

The Kent PopUp Business School is available free of charge to participants, through sponsorship and funding from the cross border business support agency Interreg and the Increase Valorisation Sociale programme, which helps housing association tenants into business.

To book a free place on the course, click here.

Business School is the best business advice that money can't buy - all of its events are free.

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