It's not long until we announce the successful shortlisted businesses for our Kick Start grants (end of Aug). The shortlisted applicants will then face our Dragons' Den.
We've carefully chosen three highly experienced dragons that our applicants will need to pitch their business to on the 15 and 16 September.
Our first dragon is Sally Wood, Finance Director, Sally Wood Consultancy Limited (find out more about Sally here) and we are now equally delighted to introduce you to the second dragon on our panel - Ruth Roan, owner of Building Business Consultancy.
Ruth set up Northamptonshire based Building Business Consultancy in 2006. They specialise in entrepreneurship and business growth working with business owners to create successful businesses of the future. Building Business also works with many public sector organisations delivering business focused programmes across the East Midlands. Ruth's passion is enterprise, believing that anyone can run their own business if they have the skills, knowledge and support but more importantly the belief that they can be successful.
Why did you agree to be a Dragon?
"I'm passionate about supporting local businesses, especially start-ups. I was a Dragon for BIPC Northamptonshire’s Reset. Restart grants in 2021 and loved hearing from the diverse and varied businesses that applied. I have worked with the BIPC for many years and we share values and a desire to help start-ups in Northamptonshire. I love watching business owners take their first steps in business and then seeing how their businesses evolve and grow."
What will you be looking for?
"Business owners who are passionate and can translate and convey that to others. I love hearing about the person behind the business so I can understand what their motivation is. I’ll also need to be convinced that the applicant has thoroughly researched their market and customers."
For more information on Ruth's business please visit Building Business Consultancy's website here.
You can follow Ruth on LinkedIn here.
Good luck to everyone who has applied for the grant!