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You are here: Home page -> Friends -> Bromham Millers Arts and Crafts Community – getting businesses off to a flying start!
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Bromham Millers Arts and Crafts Community – getting businesses off to a flying start!
Open Day
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21 February 2009
Could you give yourself a job by turning your hobby or creative skill into an arts and crafts business?
In response to an open invitation from The Bromham Millers and Work House (Norfolk) Ltd, several enthusiastic craft entrepreneurs came to an Open Day at Colmworth on 21 February to find out if they could make their creativity pay. The interest from the Open Day was such that the first Craft Business programme, ‘Arts and Crafts Business Basics’ commencing on 7 March 2009, is now fully booked.
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Participants very much enjoyed the Open Day as it gave them an opportunity to share their ideas, meet like-minded people and talk to experts on how to develop and turn these ideas into a business. Turning a lifelong hobby into a money-earning venture bodes well in the current economic climate.
During the Craft Business programme, business experts will provide guidance on setting up or developing a small arts and crafts business. The work will include marketing, financial and business plans, funding options and how to avoid pitfalls.
The programme will also focus on the golden calculation of whether you have a hobby or a business. Longer-term, participants will receive help on finding premises and employing people.
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“Having attended this morning’s event, and leaving the venue feeling inspired, I haven't stopped buzzing since – in fact I still am so thank you both for that. I have just spent the last couple of hours checking out websites etc that I heard about from various people who also attended ... I am really looking forward to starting the course with you on the 7th, and it almost seems too far away. As they say – 'patience is a virtue' and I just know the wait will be worth it.”
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Other unique features of the programme are an enquiry service to pinpoint useful sources of information, expertise and grants, and a special web forum that will enable everyone involved to exchange ideas and experience.
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Later, a prototype craft business will be featured – a mosaics workshop employing people with learning and autistic disabilities, so that aspiring craft entrepreneurs can benefit from observing the practices and performance of another real-life craft venture.
Although the first programme is booked, anyone interested in taking part in future ones is invited to contact us using the button at the foot of the page. The programmes are free of charge and are supported by EEDA.
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“The details of the programme look very interesting and will help to stimulate business interest and to make the business move forward.”
“Thank you for the lifeline and the opportunity!”
“It has been a great opportunity to create links – thank you.”
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Other Open Day participants appreciated:
“Listening to everyone else about their craft interests and how far they have developed their businesses. Also problems they have encountered and how to help solve these.”
“Meeting others in similar situations. Not intimidating for people (me!) outside comfort zone.”
“The friendly atmosphere and opportunity to network.”
“Meeting other like-minded people who feel exactly the same. The fact that the issues I have with starting my own business were picked up by others. Very positive!”
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The Bromham Millers is a community interest company with plans for Bromham Mill in Bedford featuring a mosaics craft workshop and a craft studio and gallery. Work House is a Norwich-based training and consultancy firm, specialising in employment and enterprise. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is supporting the initiative through the Bedfordshire & Luton Economic Development Partnerships’ Investment in Communities fund.
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