Starting up:  The good, the good, the bad and the ugly

If you’ve ever wanted to run your own business and didn’t know how, the university’s entrepreneurship network, beepurple, should you be your first port of call. Each year the University of Brighton Alumni Association and beepurple join forces to host a series of events designed to help student and graduate entrepreneurs start their own businesses.

Besides the professional advice on offer, the authenticity of these events is based on the genuine anecdotes of entrepreneurs who have walked in your shoes – Brighton graduates who have taken the plunge, ridden the rollercoaster of self-employment and succeeded – and returned to campus to share their experiences.

One such event happened last week and attracted more than 40 would-be entrepreneurs. Guests heard from alumni entrepreneurs about their trials and tribulations in starting up. Through informal talks and Q&A sessions, attendees learnt first-hand about self-employment journeys as Brighton alumni shared their business and community project anecdotes. They also got some expert advice from Fiona Anderson of Natwest who explained how Entrepreneurial Spark can also support fledgeling businesses.

Top tips from the session included:

Melanie Smith (Graphic Communication FdA 2012), STORY Limited

• Apply for every opportunity: apply for everything.
• Write your idea down – it helps crystallise it.
• People invest in who you are.
• Talk to fellow entrepreneurs.

Maria Fox (Graphic Design BA(Hons) 2011), Maria Allen Boutique

• “I would 100% choose it [running a business], over working for someone else.”
• Always keep your vision in mind.
• Get out and start something – even on a small scale.
• Visualise your success.
• Build a network around you.
• Aim high for your goals and celebrate your achievements.

Kit Man and Abi Jones (Health and Social Care BA(Hons) 2010 and Inclusive Arts Practice MA 2015), Artspace Brighton

• Share your feelings and look after yourselves.
• Run taster days to get people through the door.
• Have a clear vision. Know what you want to do.
• Seek advice – and seek more advice than you think you need.
• Being flexible is key.
• Learn through practical doing. Take risks.
• Communication is key. Think about what you’re saying.
• Bring people on board.
• Feedback is important.
• Document what you’re doing.

Fiona Anderson, Natwest

• Fail fast and fail cheap.
• Just start!

Our next event – Crowdfunding your ideas – is on 7 December in London. All welcome!