News
14 November 2005
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
“I can do what I want, when I want. I‘m a busy mum to my 10 month old
daughter and yet I run my own business. This way I can follow my
dream of bringing up my family and developing my career on my own
terms”.
Inspiring words from Sally Tyler, founder of local outdoor clothing company
Sin-Kit and new mum.
It has been a busy year for Sally as both her daughter and her business
approach their birthday. Sin-Kit has been going from strength to strength
since Sally took her idea and made it work for her, with the support of the
University of Plymouth’s Entrepreneurship Workshop Programme, as she
explains: “These workshops covered such a broad spectrum of topics
and gave me a thoroughly good grounding on all aspects of business.
The sessions that really hit home for me were the parts on actually
setting up your own business such as whether or not to become a
limited company, information on tax breaks and supply chains, and
issues surrounding intellectual property such as how to protect your
ideas and branding – all so very important!”
The university’s workshop programme is not just aimed at those dreaming of
being their own boss and reaping the financial benefits, but it has also proved
ideal for those wanting to “think outside the box” or thinking of taking their
hobbies to the next level – just like Lisa-Marie Brooks and her partner Stuart
Jacques, both full time University of Plymouth employees, who have also set
up Cornish motorcycle racing team, TFR Racing. Lisa-Marie explains; “We
are different to most companies in that we are non-trading, but we face
many of the same issues as a traditional business. In our case, in order
to survive we have to attract commercial sponsorship. Through the
programme I learned to develop my skills to develop the TFR racing
brand and promote it to local businesses as well as generate media
interest in covering our progress and successes.”
Entrepreneurship is fast becoming the “buzz word” of the modern business
world and plays a crucial role in the local economy. The University of
Plymouth is passionate about supporting its staff, students and the wider
community to realise their entrepreneurial potential. To date more than 300
individuals have found inspiration, support and advice for their business ideas
through this programme, which for a number of local business owners and
employees has included gaining a better understanding of general business
management and a more innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the
workplace.
Dr Susan Boulton, IP & Entrepreneurship Manager at the University of
Plymouth explains: “Our entrepreneurship workshops, which run in the
evenings from now until March 06, cover everything from marketing and
protecting your idea, setting up and planning your business, getting
your head around finance issues and employment law to the inspiration
of actually making it happen! What better opportunity to set up a
business in practice, in a safe environment, with private sector mentor
support?”
Sally Tyler of Sin-Kit says she would recommend the course to anyone, “Go
for it! Definitely do this programme – you couldn’t get a better
grounding in all aspects of setting up your own business.”
ENDS
Lisa-Marie Brooks, Sally Tyler and Dr Susan Boulton are all available for
interview.
Photographs are also attached for publication.
To find out more about the Entrepreneurship Programme at the University of
Plymouth, go to www.plymouth.ac.uk/entrepreneur where there is further
information about the university’s activities during National Enterprise Week
14 – 19 November.
For more information on the companies featured here, see www.sin-kit.com
and www.TFRracing.com
For media enquiries, contact Karen Mason PR Officer on 01752 233788