Would-be entrepreneurs can take part in a major event in Swindon this Saturday to get expert advice to help them start their own business.
StartUp 2016 is staged by fast-growth small business network Enterprise Nation and is one of a series of satellite gatherings across the country. It coincides with a national event in Canary Wharf, London.
The Swindon event, which is free to attend, will give advice on how to get a business started and include live streaming from the national event along with workshops from local advisers. 
Attendees will get the chance to take part in practical workshops, get feedback on their business plan, discuss financial management and apply for a start-up loan.
Enterprise Nation’s West Country champion Alison Edgar said: “Every minute a business is started in Britain. Becoming your own boss can be satisfying and rewarding on so many levels. Last year more than half a million new companies were registered.
“This event is aimed at helping those in Swindon with dreams of starting up to pick up practical advice, link up with like-minded individuals, get inspiration to help them give their new business the very best start.”
The keynote speaker will be award-winning Swindon-based entrepreneur, top 500 international PR and business development expert Sara Tye, pictured.
Her talk, titled Always #aheadofthecurve, aims to inspire and educate entrepreneurs setting out on their professional journey.
Sara will reflect on challenges and accomplishments from her esteemed career, discuss business growth and share tips for sustained success.
She said: “This is an unmissable event for anyone looking to establish a new business this year.
“I’m delighted to have this chance to meet and speak with entrepreneurs in Swindon. The start-up stage of a business is exciting, challenging and often daunting, so I look forward to sharing the experiences that have helped make my businesses the successes they are today.”
Sara is the founder and managing director of Swindon-based redheadPR, which has clients spanning the gardening, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, food and drink, travel, property and business services sectors.
She is also managing director of Birmingham-based creative agency Gingernut Creative, a motivational speaker, writer, coach, mentor and trainer. As CEO of luxury cycling and skiing company Etape Suisse, Sara is leading the business to the next stage of its development following its successful first year.
Among the entrepreneurs streaming live from London will be King of Shaves founder Will King and Rita Clifton, former managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi.
StartUp 2016 is a collaboration between Enterprise Nation and a set of high-profile sponsors which will play an active role on the day. These are HSBC, domain name firm 123 Reg, internet technology business Verisign, cloud-based accounting software company Xero and small business insurance provider Direct Line for Business. Leading UK professional services firm KPMG is also a headline sponsor of the event.
StartUp 2016 Swindon takes place at Arclite House, Century Rd, Peatmoor. While the event is free to attend, tickets are limited to 200. To secure a place, register here.
