Entrepreneurs pop up at the market

Wednesday 18 May 2016

More than a dozen local entrepreneurs are setting up shop in the Central Market today.

The fifteen budding businessmen and women will be testing out their new business ideas and products at the one day Back to Work Pop-up Market.

The event has been organised to coincide with Jersey Business’ Enterprise Week 2016 which runs until Friday and all the businesses taking part have been working with specialist self-employment advisors within the Social Security Department's Back to Work team to get their big ideas off the ground.

They include a musician, two beauticians, a cake maker, two dog walkers, a landscape gardener, a cycle shop owner, a designer, a clothing supplier, a mindfulness and arts physiotherapy practitioner, a company specialising in miniature woodwork collectables, a supplier of ceramic tiles and someone selling gifts for party bags.

Social Security Assistant Minister Graham Truscott said: “We are very grateful to the Central Market for its help and support setting up this exciting event.  All of these energetic entrepreneurs have solid business cases and are passionate and dedicated; and, hopefully, the support provided by our experienced Back to Work team will give these start-up businesses the best possible chance to survive and grow.

“It is very important that we, as a community, support new business ventures – as these people will hopefully be the employers of tomorrow; so we are very excited to see what the Jersey public thinks of these business ideas.”

The self-employment advisors in the Back to Work team support nearly 80 people who have a solid, thorough and viable business plan, and show that they have the energy, enthusiasm and commitment to manage working for themselves.

Many have had business development training that includes help with marketing and social media, cash flow and pricing, and business planning, all designed to help them maximise their business ideas and make sure their enterprises are profitable and sustainable.  

You can find out more about Back to Work here.