Starting a business can be daunting, but in Durham, there is a wide range of support available to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful ventures. Durham Startups, offers comprehensive support through their Solutions Advisors. These advisors provide personalised guidance to help individuals take their ideas from concept to trading, focusing on building entrepreneurial skills and confidence.
Profile of Josh Newton, Solutions Advisor
Josh Newton is an experienced business advisor and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience spanning various industries. Having personally navigated the challenges of running his own ventures—including a cake business, a cocktail bar, and catering—Josh has experienced both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. “My passion lies in helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing their businesses. By providing tailored support, we empower them to turn their vision into reality,” he shares, reflecting on his current role as a Solutions Advisor with Durham Startups.
In his role, Josh provides one-on-one support to individuals looking to start or grow their businesses, guiding them through key challenges, including market research, identifying their target audience, building the entrepreneurial skills necessary to thrive, and directing them to the range of support available. His approach is holistic, drawing on his personal experiences to offer practical advice that resonates with budding business owners. “Seeing a business owner go from struggling to thriving, just by applying the right strategies, is incredibly rewarding. It’s all about making a real, lasting impact on their journey,” he adds.
His blend of practical experience and advisory expertise makes him a trusted partner for startups navigating the early stages of business in County Durham.
Case Study: Tailoring Services to the Right Audience
One of the businesses Josh worked with was a hairdresser who initially struggled to grow her customer base despite offering high-quality services. Through their sessions, Josh helped her realise that her challenge wasn’t the quality of her work, but rather that she hadn’t clearly identified or targeted the right audience. Together, they analysed her current customer base and explored what type of clients she wanted to attract.
Josh encouraged her to refine her marketing efforts by focusing on the specific clientele that suited her style and services, such as clients seeking premium treatments and those interested in modern, fashion-forward looks. This process not only clarified her direction but also gave her the confidence to narrow her focus and target clients who aligned with her vision for the business.
"The key was helping her understand that not every customer is the right customer for your business. Once she embraced the idea of focusing on a specific audience, she felt more confident and in control," said Josh.
With renewed confidence and a more strategic approach to marketing, the hairdresser began attracting her ideal clients, leading to higher satisfaction on both sides. By tailoring her services and promotions to the right audience, she experienced a noticeable improvement in customer retention and business growth.
Key areas of support include:
Business Diagnostics: Solutions Advisors work closely with entrepreneurs to identify gaps in their business knowledge, whether it's marketing, finance, or general entrepreneurial skills. By conducting an initial diagnostic, they tailor support to individual needs.
Specialist Workshops: Business owners can access a wide range of specialist interventions, including workshops on marketing, finance, eco-friendly business practices, social enterprise, and retail strategies. These workshops provide targeted advice to address specific challenges entrepreneurs may face.
Ongoing Personalised Support: Unlike previous programmes, the support available through Durham’s enterprise initiatives is open-ended, allowing business owners to access guidance as needed, rather than being restricted by time limits. This flexible approach ensures that startups can grow at their own pace, with expert help available at each stage.
Access to High-Growth Programmes: For businesses that show the potential for rapid growth, specialised programmes like Durham City Incubator are available to help them scale. This allows businesses with high-growth potential to connect with resources and programmes that can accelerate their development.
Entrepreneurs in Durham benefit from a close-knit community of support, designed to ensure they have the tools and confidence to succeed. From one-on-one sessions to specialist advice and workshops, the resources available are tailored to help businesses at every stage of their journey, whether they are just starting out or looking to grow.
Get Started Today: Your Business Journey Begins Here
Are you ready to take the first step in your business journey? Whether you have a fully-formed business idea or are just beginning to explore your entrepreneurial potential, Durham Startups is here to help you succeed. By providing access to a wealth of resources, expert advice, and a supportive community, we ensure that you have everything you need to turn your vision into a reality.
Don’t let your business idea remain just a dream—make it a reality with Durham Startups.
Contact us today on 0191 6251221 and we’ll connect you with one of our startup solutions advisors. Let’s work together to build a successful and sustainable business in County Durham.
