An entrepreneur from St Neot has spoken about the held and advice she received from the Growth Hub when kickstarting her new venture.

Business experts have reported seeing a surge in enquiries from budding entrepreneurs in Cornwall looking for advice on ‘kickstarting’ a new venture in 2023.

One such person is registered nurse Kirsty Higgins from St Neot. Her business, Kernow Vitality offers people regular vitamin B12 injections.

The mother-of-four needed help and advice about setting up and running her own business.

“I didn’t have a clue – I just wasn’t confident about that side of things at all,” says Kirsty.

Since contacting Growth Hub, Kirsty has been on a fast-track business course to learn about marketing and finance. She has also had regular follow-up calls to make sure she’s on the right track.

“They were so helpful – and didn’t laugh in my face! That was my biggest fear – that they would think this was a silly idea.

“I’m really grateful to Growth Hub for giving me the confidence to get this far. I would certainly recommend them to anyone who has a business idea and wants to take the next step.” 

Enquiries received by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub hit unusually high levels between Christmas and new year and into January.

Bosses at Growth Hub say reviews booked with their team of ‘connectors’ in the last three months of 2022 increased by more than 10 percent compared to previous years.

People are being offered free business reviews with Growth Hub, an organisation part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council.

Latest figures show more than 600 existing, start-up and pre-start-up businesses, with a combined turnover of £31.4-million, claimed reviews with Growth Hub last year.

Stu Anderson, operations director at Growth Hub said: “January has provided a real boost for many people – over the last year we’ve seen a significant increase in people contacting us for guidance and support to help their business work smarter, develop and grow.

“What’s interesting is the growth of start-ups in the health and wellbeing sector,” adds Stu, “It seems the ‘new year, new you’ mantra is a real catalyst for start-ups wanting to provide a new service or products to help improve physical or mental wellbeing in 2023.”

Established in 2016, Growth Hub has directly supported more than 3,000 businesses in Cornwall and has taken more than 5,000 business enquiries.

For more information visit www.ciosgrowthhub.com