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BG Futures Provide Carrington Communications with the “Perfect Stepping Stone” to Success
In January 2018 digital PR agency Carrington Communications began their journey as a tenant of the BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre. After a highly successful year, and with expansion and new premises on the horizon, Carrington’s Founder, Rob Tomkinson, shares his start-up story and explains how the support of the BG Futures team has helped the company reach its goals. Since graduating from university Rob has always worked in PR. After moving to Lincolnshire he observed a gap in the market for an energised digital PR agency, thus sparking the inspiration for launching Carrington Communications: “No one in Lincolnshire was doing digital PR, even though the city, and region, was growing fast and there was a big need for it. I decided to build an agency that would be known for the quality of its work and the impact it had on its customers, above anything else.” Although Rob’s PR expertise had been refined over the years, owning his own business proved challenging in its own way, he used the examples of others’ success to try to determine his own: “I looked at other business owners around me who I respected - what sets them apart, in my view, is being brave enough to take the bold decisions - that’s what I’ve tried, and keep trying, to do; if the figures stack up, then we can make it work.” However, Rob is not one to become too comfortable in terms of measuring success: “I hope I never think I’ve become a successful ‘entrepreneur’ - there’s a danger and complacency in that which I want to avoid at all costs!” When asked about top tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, Rob placed significant importance on getting the “‘boring’ backroom bits right from the start”, building new relationships with other business people who share your values, and finally: “Delegate! That’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way a couple of times. I thought I was holding on to my early clients out of loyalty to give them the best service, but in reality they got a better service once I brought in the team here in to work alongside me.” Alongside these lessons, finding the right environment to thrive in has also been key for Carrington and in BG Futures they feel they found the perfect place for any start-up: “It’s been so good for us. Even though it was exciting when we took on our first office, it was pretty daunting too. The team at BG Futures gave us everything we needed. It’s a perfect stepping stone for new businesses looking for their first office. The location’s great, the offices are peaceful, the internet’s good and the on-site coffee shops are perfect for client or team meetings. Working around other start-ups has been really beneficial, as have the workshops that they run here - we even hosted our own for other tenants on doing PR on a budget. We’re pleased to be growing but sad to be leaving too - I’d recommend BG Futures to anyone.” Becky Goodman, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures, expressed her team’s pride at being a part of Carrington’s growth: “It is great to see how Rob has developed Carrington from a one person business in a small unit, to one with a team expanding to one of our largest units within just 18 months, and although we will miss the team being with us within BG Futures, it is great that we have been able to give them the initial support and foundations upon which they will continue to build their business. And as with any of the businesses that start their journey with us in BG Futures, they never really leave us, just relocate” If you have got a vision for your own business but aren’t sure where to begin then the BG Futures team are the perfect place to start. With facilities and expert support available in their incubation centre, they’ll be able to get you on the road to success. Visit our website or contact them today to see how you can start your own adventure. -
Bringing ideas to life with BG Futures and the Prince's Trust
Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager for the BG Futures team at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), shares how the partnership between BG Futures and the Prince’s Trust has helped Business student Daniel to bring his ideas to life. -
Entrepreneurial Enterprises and Start-up Advice on the Agenda at BG Futures Business Open Morning
BG Futures, the Business and Enterprise Centre at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), opened its doors to the University’s students for a morning of start-up advice, business support and networking. -
BG Futures Aim to Help Students Find Their Entrepreneurial Excellence in Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week (#GEW2019), the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship, began on the 18th of November and to celebrate BG Futures, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise team at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), are running a series of events to encourage the University’s future business leaders. With sessions on global business, ‘enterprising attitudes’, how to begin self-employment and accountancy advice the team hope to provide budding entrepreneurs with the skills they need to begin their businesses. And the drive to foster entrepreneurial successes at BGU is not limited purely to Global Entrepreneurship Week as Sarah Moseley, the team’s newly appointed Enterprise Development Manager, explains: “When universities foster a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship, it equips students with the skills for a rewarding, self-determined professional and personal life With a career history working with SMEs I hope to bring to life, in a sustainable manner, our student’s enterprising ideas It is no coincidence that we have launched our Graduate Attributes excellence award in GEW and all the activities that we are offering students as part of GEW will count towards the award.” To find out more about the Graduate Attributes Excellence award or advice on how to start your entrepreneurial journey you drop into BG Futures, email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk or call them on 01522 583900. -
Be Your Own Boss: BG Futures Join the Prince's Trust to Support Young Entrepreneurs
BG Futures, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise department at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) have teamed up with the Prince’s Trust to offer young entrepreneurs a route into self-employment. Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures and John Holliday, Prince’s Trust Executive first met in February to explore ways they could partner to support those students who were interested in setting up their own business as Sarah explains: “The Enterprise agenda at BGU already provides opportunities for students to gain knowledge, skills, work-readiness and personal development. Widening the student experience is crucial for us and the Prince’s Trusts strategy to transform young people’s lives aligns perfectly with that of BGU” The Prince’s Trust has responded to the current constraints coronavirus has imposed on face to face delivery, by offering a monthly 2-day webinar which details all the different aspects of setting up and running your own business. The subjects covered include marketing, selling, branding, finding and keeping customers, business finance, taxation, legal structure and competitor analysis. This is followed by 1-2-1 support with John on how to write a business plan and securing either grant or loan funding to cover your start-up costs. Once you launch, two years of ongoing support is provided by one of the Prince’s Trust’s experienced business mentors. Future dates earmarked for the webinars include June 22/23, July 20/21 and August 24/25. Sergiu and George, on the BA (Hons) Business (Team Entrepreneurship) and Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, Training and Skills (PGDE) courses respectively, are two of the BGU students to have taken part in the webinars so far. They shared their excitement for what their participation could offer them: “I found the course very helpful as it gave me access to the Princes Trusts vast range of resources such as business plan templates, their network and a personal 1 to 1 mentor to overlook my development and make sure I’m on the right tracks with possible funding and grants opportunities” Sergiu “I am interested in starting a business in the future and found the sessions really useful and motivational” George Speaking following their feedback Sarah said: “With many plans on hold and University students having to adapt to new ways of learning and development I am delighted that Sergiu and George felt able to take some time to focus on their future” To find out more about the work of the Enterprise Team at BG Futures contact sarah.moseley@bishopg.ac.uk Tel: 01522 563817 For further details of The Prince’s Trust programme contact John Holliday on 07766 778341. -
Looking for facilities to support or start your business? Then the BG Futures Centre is the perfect place for you
As the world begins to come out of restrictions brought in to combat COVID-19, many businesses and entrepreneurs are having to navigate new waters to get themselves up and running. For any professionals unsure what next steps to take, the BG Futures team are ready to help, with a range of positive services and facilities. Hear below from Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures, about how they could support you. -
Volunteering Fair Offers Opportunities to Boost Skills and Support Others
Students and staff at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) were encouraged to expand their horizons and boost their employability whilst helping those around them at the BG Futures Volunteering Fair last week. -
Charity Coffee Morning a Resounding Success
The team behind the BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently participated in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event. The event brought staff, students and BG Futures businesses together to bake cakes, drink coffee and, most importantly, raise funds for Macmillan. With everyone’s support £240 was raised in total, going a small way to helping everyone living with cancer to live life as fully as they can. Becky Goodman, Enterprise Development Manager was delighted to see the university community come together in support of the charity: “It was great to see so many staff, students and BG Futures tenants come together to raise funds for such a great cause” The BG Futures team would like to extend their thanks to all that supported their event and invite them to join BG Futures at their next event on the 13th of December where they will be raising funds for ‘Save the Children’ by encouraging everyone to donate £2 to wear their favourite Christmas jumper. You can find more information on all the fundraising activities being carried out by members of the BGU community on our news page. For more information on all these events and how you can get involved contact the BG Futures team at enterprise@bishopg.ac.uk. -
Budding Educators Begin Their Professional Journeys at BGU’s Teaching Careers Fair
Around 300 final year teaching trainees began forging their future careers this week by attending the BG Futures Teaching Careers Fair. -
New partnership aims to inspire young entrepreneurs across Lincolnshire
Following two years of successfully providing a free platform to creative talents in the city, BG Futures are set to tour the Lincoln Teenage Market, hoping to inspire and support young entrepreneurs from across the wider county.
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