Carlow County Enterprise Board is currently recruiting for its second Fresh Start Programme which will begin in September 2010. Fresh Start is a unique programme for people whom are currently unemployed or have just started a business and require ongoing support and assistance. It is designed to help individuals who are considering starting their own business to obtain and/or develop the necessary skills and knowledge to assess the marketing and financial viability of their business idea/project.

This programme also looks at the entrepreneurial skills and tools necessary for any successful start up. Individuals looking to start their own business will receive advice on the “dos” and “don’ts” of a successful start up, as well as looking at the core elements of a business plan.

Each Fresh Start participant receives office space, one-to-one mentoring, training and assistance in developing their business. Kieran Comerford, Assistant CEO of Carlow County Enterprise Board and co-ordinator of the Fresh Start Programme, said “Fresh Start participants gain the experiences of a team of business experts. Fresh Start aims to put in place an environment where people can change. Change is something which sometimes people fear and starting a business can be a lonely road. Fresh Start aims to give the participants the benefit of a guide through the early days of starting a business.”

Beginning in June 2010, the first Fresh Start programme had 16 participants from various backgrounds. One of the participants is David Mc Namara who has since formed Green Pine Energy, Carlow’s newest Energy Consultancy Business. Green Pine Energy provides a competitive and effective service in BER from both a commercial and domestic point of view, insulation and air pressure testing, as well as various consultancy assignments.

Mc Namara said “To own my own business has so far been a great challenge, but the independence of working for yourself and the rewards which can be achieved are never ending.” David believes while researching the establishment of Green Pine Energy that the most important part of the business in his sector is keeping up to date with developments within the Energy sector. This allows him to provide domestic and commercial property owners the best advice to reduce their energy costs and advise them on what upgrades or changes that can be done to their properties to reduce their energy costs.

It has been recognized that energy costs are a significant burden on any house or Enterprise. Green Pine Energy offers a service where they will carry out energy audits and prepare a detailed report to show where energy efficiency can be improved and in turn reduce their costs.

Mc Namara says “This work is very rewarding as I will be dealing personally with all the individuals on a one-to-one basis and helping them in their business.” To find out more about Green Pine Energy log onto www.greenpineenergy.ie.

When speaking about the Fresh Start Programme Mc Namara said, “The Fresh Start programme has focused me more on what I am doing and how to get to where I want to be by helping me to identify the different areas of my business that I can develop and has made me more focused on my target client. Also, dealing with the Enterprise Board I have seen at first hand the support structures which are in place which are essential to any start up business.”

Also on the programme is Matthew Potts. Also on the programme is Matthew Potts. Potts has formed a business called Black Gold Environmental Consulting which specializes in Brownfield site regeneration including the investigation and design of remediation packages to mitigate potential risks posed by historic contamination.  In addition he can provide advice to the insurance sector on the remediation of domestic heating oil spills.  When speaking about his desire to work for himself Potts said, “It’s not easy setting out for yourself in this climate, but it is an incredibly fulfilling challenge which enables you to be in some control of your own destiny. It also allows you the freedom to make your own decisions, whilst watching your business grow and taking pride in the company with the high quality of service provide.” He adds “the fresh start programme has given me a broader insight into the process of setting up your own business including the legal implications of setting the business up correctly, health  andhealth and safety and first aid workshops. It has provided some focus on the marketing side of the business and how to sell yourself with the “elevator pitch” when networking opportunities have arisen. The use of outside speakers from industry has been excellent in providing guidance on the pitfalls of getting your own business started.” Further information on the services Potts can provide  can be found on www.bgenviron.com
The first Fresh Start Programme commenced in June 2010 and was kindly funded by Carlow County Enterprise Board ,Carlow County Development Partnership, Department of Social & Family Affairs & Carlow/Kilkenny Skillnet.

For further information on Fresh Start, contact Carlow CEB on 059/9130880 or via e-mail on enterprise@carlow-ceb.com