Kickstart Your Venture: A Workshop
A place to go with the idea that just won’t go away
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)
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.
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.
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
Next Public Event:
Saturday 24th April 2010, 10am – 4.30pm, Cambridge
Book your place at the bottom of this page.
Can’t make the next scheduled date? Register your interest in a future date here
Who is this workshop for?
SOMETHING is brewing in you yet time keeps ticking away without any sign of action. All the while, your community is missing out and you’re left with frustration, knowing your gifts and talents are being wasted and you’re not fulfilling your potential to make the difference you want to make.
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 Clark, Cambridge
You have a desire to bring about positive change in the world and have a sneaky suspicion that you hold a solution.
Currently, your ideas are vague. When you try to explain your ideas to others, you realise you don’t know what you’re talking about.
You can’t take yourself seriously as an ‘entrepreneur’ or ‘pioneer’. You’re plagued by internal voices which say “you’re not cut out for this”, “you’ll never get this off the ground” and “who would want what you have to offer, anyway?”
You don’t really know what’s next. Should you draw up a plan? Approach a bank or funders? Think up a project name?
You crave support and encouragement. You want to feel that others believe you can do it – and you want to know what that ‘it’ is!
If this sounds like you, then this workshop has been designed for you.
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
This was a well organised and positive workshop – I felt like we all came away so much better informed and enthusiastic. I now have confidence in my ability to start a business and will start a plan for my business idea. I am looking forward to being more in control of my destiny
- M. A. Sawford
Here is your opportunity to explore the What, How and Why of turning your idea into reality.
In this workshop, discover:
I’ve learnt that it is possible to follow your dreams and to see obstacles not as a block but as a challenge to overcome. I’ve also learnt that other people have the same worries and uncertainties as yourself. As a result of this workshop, I’ll take positive steps to make the venture happen. I feel very positive – I’m sure I could do it.
- Alison Pearce, Cambridge
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
I now feel positive, confident and less isolated. It was excellent – thank you.
- M. Chaudry, Cambridge
Book Your Place:
Saturday 24th April 2010, 10am – 4.30pm
Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane, Cambridge
(by kind permission of the Society of Friends)£40
Click on this ‘Buy Now’ button to pay through your PayPal account.
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If you would rather pay by bank transfer or by cheque, then click here to reserve your place and select your payment option.
If the workshop place is a gift for someone else, please mention this in the ‘Comments’ section.
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
I was feeling held back by fear and also felt generally stuck. I now feel like I WANT to move forward. I have a new workshop idea and I’m surprised by how easy the next steps are if I dedicate them time.
Well done Corrina, you’re as good as I thought you’d be.
- Suzie Webb, Cambridge, Mum on maternity leave
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.