Kickstart Your Venture: A Workshop
A place to go with the idea that just won’t go away
You’ve got an amazing idea for a project or business – but at the moment, that’s all it is: an idea.
You feel stuck with it. Another day passes and you’re just sitting on it, not doing anything about it.
You’ve spent a lot of time running the idea over in your mind. You’ve even mentioned it to a few people close to you, but it still feels vague and fuzzy. There’s very little, if any, action being taken to move it forward and it feels that your gifts and talents are being wasted.
Frustrating?
Well, the truth is that even the sharpest mind can only take a basic idea so far. Without new perspectives, new information and some thorough support, these ideas tend to stagnate and gather dust – and you never get the satisfaction of seeing any impact.
What you really need is space and time dedicated to your idea, where you get to delve deep into what you want to create, and why it’s important. You need to be able to identify the internal sabotage and external obstacles which are a natural part of the course, and decide how you want to deal with those. And you need to be given lots of new perspectives, insights, contacts and support from others.
This workshop guides you through the very earliest stages of turning an idea into reality. You’ll meet other people in the same position as you, with similar dreams and blocks. You’ll get the inspiration and motivation you need and will leave feeling clear about the next steps needed to turn the idea into a financially viable, thoroughly enjoyable venture.
With this kickstart, you won’t be able to wait to get started.
Next Public Event:
There are no further dates booked at the moment but please click below to register your interest:
Register your interest in a future date here
Want more information? Read on…
Before this workshop, my idea was feeling flimsy and only in my head. I found the income question difficult and working full-time meant I was finding it hard to find time to strike up contacts, never mind actually getting the venture off the ground.
I’m now feeling inspired and motivated. The questions you asked really steered the group in the right direction; you could literally see the empowerment. I have real ideas from others that have made the dream a reality. I need constant inspiration to keep this idea going so it’s great to be in contact with others who are also following their passion, or at least trying to. It was also refreshing to find that I have ideas for others that could help their venture.
I have now started to contact people I know who can help me. Being accountable is very important for me, so thank you for building that in. The positive repercussions of the workshop just keep on coming.
- Emma Da Costa, Cambridge
Is It For You?
This workshop is now running for its fourth time and we’ve seen a couple of key reasons why people book:
1) You’re coming to the end of a professional training – you’re a new coach, yoga teacher, osteopath, raw food teacher, reflexology practitioner etc and you’re wondering where on earth you start with building your business.
2) You’ve got an unusual idea for a project; it’s unique and so needs some unique attention and ‘fleshing out’. Some past examples: creativity classes, a local history blog, cob-building in the community, carbon conversation classes, a community dance centre.
I came to this workshop just after completing my three year acupuncture training. While I had a lot of practical and theoretical knowledge, I wasn’t sure where to start with the business side. I wanted to get my idea moving from theory to practice.
I was surprised at how fruitful the workshop was and how many interesting people I met. I now feel I’m able to ask others for their input as I realise that people are happy to give it.
Corrina led the day well – there was a focus, a plan, but she was flexible enough to allow for some improvisation. I left the workshop feeling positive and happy, like anything is possible.
- Gemma, Cambridge, Emerald Acupuncture
These workshops are attended by both men and women and people have travelled in from around Cambridge and also from London. Our venue is easily accessible from both the train and coach station.
Thanks again for the workshop. I get afraid of attending new events and meeting new people so confronting that fear was a success in itself.
It was very thought provoking indeed – I was surprised at the extent to which it expanded my idea. I could actually have left at lunch time and been satisfied! I’m now a lot further down the development process and feel a lot more confident about it being a viable idea.
I felt reluctant to leave, I don’t ever want to go back to where I was before today.
- Ben Marsh, South East London, Archive & Technical Assistant at the British Board of Film Classification
Click here to listen to a 12-minute audio interview about this workshop (recorded at 209 Radio on 105 FM, Drive Time 11th Jan 2010) NB This workshop IS open to men so don’t be deterred by me mentioning in this interview that my work is primarily with women!
The Day Itself
Our doors open at 9.45am with a chance to register and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and meet a few of the other participants before we start at 10am.
The morning:
Phase 1 – The Idea
A chance to delve into what you’re passionate about and what that would look like in terms of the vision of you doing/achieving this. You’ll be connecting with the ‘juice’ of the idea and tapping into the energy and excitement around it. It is also a chance to hone in and get more specific about what you actually want to create.
Phase 2 – The Need
This section brings the idea down ‘to land’ by exploring who would benefit from this idea. Who is your market, what are their needs, and what would they get from engaging with your work? How do you communicate what you’re offering to them?
Phase 3 – The Obstacles
We explore what I like to call ‘The Great Voices of Doubt and Fear’. You’ll be able to unearth these, explore them and find ways in which to incorporate these obstacles as part of the journey, rather than letting them stop you on your path.
We then break for lunch; we’re right in the centre of Cambridge so there are lots of options if you want to go and explore. You can continue your conversations with other participants; by this point, there is already often a strong bond built up.
Before this workshop, I had a lot of ideas floating around in my brain but I needed help with getting them out.
This workshop was a fantastic experience – it was exactly as advertised and exactly what I wanted. I particularly loved the way you got us all to gel so well and to use our ‘communal brain’. I got just as much from helping others as I did from being helped.
I’ve been introduced to new ways of problem solving and think I may have made some new friends, as well as getting loads of brilliant help and motivation. I have more energy for the next step and I’m very clear on what it should be.
Thanks again for all the energy and expertise you put in – you’re a total star. -
Joy Haughton, Cambridge, Trainee Osteopath
The afternoon
Phase 4 – Viable & Sustainable
In this section, you’ll be looking at case studies of others who’ve turned their ideas into reality. We’ll look at, for example, a social enterprise, a business, and a ‘side-line’ venture. There are key factors which have made those ventures viable and sustainable – both energetically and financially – which will throw insight onto what would be applicable to your venture. This is also the time for group brainstorming to think creatively about possible income streams for you/this venture.
Phase 5 – Action & Support
Finally, you’ll be thinking forward into what actions are next for you. You’ll leave with a tangible next step and we’ll build accountability in here, if you wish it, so that there is the sense of continuation beyond the workshop.
You receive a workbook which we use on the day and which also serves as a post-workshop reminder of our activities and your insights.
The day went far too quickly. Good venue, brilliant group dynamics and we all seemed to face similar issues.
I now have more focus and will be identifying a project rather than waiting for it to happen. It felt very sustainable. The process was revealing, nurturing and inspiring and I know I can make the stuff that came up work.
Far more engaging than any Business Link/start-up event that I have been to.
- Linda Royles, London, Cob In The Community
Register Your Interest
There are no further dates booked at the moment but please click below to register your interest:
Fascinating -Thank you!
I felt invigorated by this workshop. I was surprised by how many people were interested in what I’m planning to do; I now believe the need is out there and I’ve come away inspired and encouraged. I also realised I can put aside logistical worries for the moment and first get clear on the market needs.
It was a lovely group of people that you’ve gathered around you.
- Annie Wigman, London
Cancellation Policy (Refund/Credit Transfer)
1) With more than four weeks notice = full refund
2) Between four weeks and 48 hours notice = either (a) transfer of your credit to a future workshop or coaching session, or (b) transfer of your place to another participant
3) There is no refund with less than 48 hours notice, except in special circumstances.