So, How Does It Work?
There are Four Steps to the programme:
Step One: have an initial meet with a My Business Advisor to discuss your ideas. They will help you identify key issues to focus on and will fully explain how the programme operates.

Step Two: to explore your ideas further, join the programme! With support designed to flex around your individual needs, past experiences and current stage of development, you will get ongoing 1-2-1 support from your My Business Advisor and access to business training sessions to help you develop your idea into a solid proposition.

Step Three: the programme is very much customer focussed – without customers you don't have a business! So when you are ready to start selling your products or services to real customers, you would start Test Trading.

Test Trading enables you to promote your business and generate sales whilst still receiving your benefits. It’s a great way to feel what running a business is really about and to see if people will actually buy from you. If they do, it’s a great buzz too!

Full details will be explained by your My Business Advisor who will continue to monitor and support you throughout.

Step Four: once you have the confidence to start trading for real, you would sign off benefits and the programme. Your My Business Advisor will still be there for you if you need any support or advice – in fact we very much encouraged you to keep in contact.

So, no matter how big or small your idea, the My Business Programme offers the right support to turn your ambition into a real business adventure!

What If I Discover Self-Employment Is Not For Me?
By working through your ideas, you may find that now is not the right time to go it alone or it may put you off altogether. In which case no problem, we will then help you focus on looking for a suitable job instead, whether in a related area to your business idea or not.

So Who Is My Business For?
Well, if you've read up to this point then most probably YOU!

Even if you just want to talk through an idea, consider what’s involved in being self-employed or want to find out more about the programme, then talk to a My Business Advisor in confidence and without any obligation of taking it further. They may well be the first person to take your ideas seriously and who knows, it could be your first step to starting a whole new career.

Currently the My Business Programme is only available for Flexible New Deal participants based across the South Yorkshire & Derbyshire region. To arrange an initial meeting, ask your Flexible New Deal advisor to call us now and we'll organise a convenient appointment for you.