Go For It Programme Offers Support To Local Businesses

How would you like a pizza the action?

Local entrepreneurs in Newry Mourne and Down District Council are being urged to make starting a business their New Year’s resolution.

Is 2020 the year to ‘Go For It’ and start your own business?

The new year is the perfect time to set goals for the year ahead and Newry Mourne and Down District Council is urging local budding entrepreneurs to make starting a business their New Year’s resolution with the support of the Go For It Programme.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

If you’ve been dreaming of giving up your nine-to-five job and becoming your own boss, you’ve probably considered a variety of small business ideas. Whether it’s personal training, car-detailing; massage therapy or event planning; make 2020 the year you take the plunge.

Jason and Emmanuel from Texas State Pizza are pictured with business advisor at Down Business Centre, Joan Tummon.

Emmanuel, who’s getting a slice of the action with his new business, credits his success down to his pizza base, created from a recipe formulated by a Texan who works alongside Emmanuel and the temperature of the oven. He said: “People are even eating the crusts’.

The Go For It Programme can help any budding entrepreneursdo more than dream up a good idea – it can help you turn it into reality.  It has mentored over 6,000 aspiring entrepreneurs across all 11 Council areas of Northern Ireland in the past two years through its wide network of enterprise agencies.

It provides expert free advice and support to anyone wishing to start their own business, by taking them through the process of creating a business plan. It covers everything from financial forecasting to marketing and long-term business planning. 

Cllr Charlie Casey, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said: “The New Year is a key time of year when people take stock and set goals for the year ahead, and many begin to really think strongly about pursuing their dream of owning their own business.

“We would encourage anyone in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area who has an idea to make starting a business their New Year’s resolution and take that first step with the support of the Go For It Programme.

“The Go For It Programme offers budding entrepreneurs expert mentoring on the real challenges facing local start-up businesses. It will help candidates create a business plan tailored to their business idea, focusing on important elements such as financial forecasting and accounts, sales and marketing, and how they can potentially access funding.

“This tried and tested business plan provides people with a blue-print for building a successful and sustainable business model, and it gives them the final push they need to finally launch their business.

“So, if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2020, we have a team of experienced business mentors through our network of enterprise agencies that are fully equipped to provide you with the expert advice and support you need to take that plunge and start your own business.”

The Go For It programme is delivered in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area by Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency and Down Business Centre.

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business call 0800 027 0639 or visit: visit: www.goforitni.com

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme.

One of the businesses helped by the Go For It programme, in association with Newry Mourne and Down District Council is Texas State Pizza. County Down man, Emmanuel McMenamin is proving his dough is rising due to popularity of his business venture, Texas State Pizza.