Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, today hosted a free business support exhibition and networking event in partnership with the Solent LEP and Gosport Borough Council.
The Gosport Enterprise Fair, which concluded Gosport Enterprise Week, offered provide practical guidance and funding advice to local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. A ‘Starting and Growing a Business’ Q&A session, chaired by Caroline Dinenage, provided audience members with the opportunity to ask successful local entrepreneurs about their professional journeys and experiences.
An exciting line-up of speakers spoke about various stages of their business owning journey and share their stories and tips for success for starting and growing a business.
Neil Hallsworth who founded Explorer Coffees Ltd in 2017 following 10 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps spoke about his journey from the Army to Business Owner. Mike Shepherd who started Marine Advertising Agency shared his story over the last 10 years and Freya Derrick who set up Hopscotch Day Nurseries spoke about starting up with her first nursery in Gosport in 2005 and opening her fifth next year.
Following on from the speeches and Q&A session, there was an opportunity for networking with representatives from key business support organisations, including Solent Growth Hub, StartUp Disruptors and Enterprise First.
Commenting, Caroline said:
‘It was fantastic to welcome local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to this event, which provided them with ample opportunity to hear about the support they need to grow their business or realise their ambitions of becoming an entrepreneur. By bringing businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and business support organisations together, the Enterprise Fair helps to unlock and develop the wealth of business talent we have locally’