Thinking of starting your own business? This free Portsmouth workshop may help

Portsmouth's entrepreneurs of the future are being offered places on the acclaimed workshop to turn their hobbies and dreams into a business.

The hugely popular, two-week long PopUp Business School, run in partnership with Southern Housing Group and Portsmouth City Council, is coming to the city from September 21 to October 2, 2020.

The live, online business course is aimed at everyone, from those with no cash and no business experience to fledgling start-ups that need guidance to keep on track.

PopUp’s events are led by successful entrepreneurs and professionals and can be very sought after, with events regularly attracting hundreds of aspiring business owners.

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At a similar event held last year, over a quarter of attendees started a new business and gained their first sale within five days.

Simon Paine, PopUp Business School co-founder and CEO, said: ‘There’s nothing better than meeting someone with no business experience and guiding them through their first sale - it can transform lives.

‘You don’t need money, experience or a university degree to start a business. You just need an idea, some passion and a bit of help.

‘Many of those attending will leave with a business and a first sale. Those who don’t, will still take away business skills, practical advice and confidence. We like to say: “this is the best business course money can’t buy”.’

Simon founded the PopUp Business School in 2011 with Alan Donegan. Its mission is to change the way entrepreneurship is taught across the world. It has educated more than 7,000 people in seven different countries through free events and helped launch 967 businesses in 2019 alone.

Its work has been backed by organisations including Google, Henley Business School and the Department for Work and Pensions.

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The school boasts of offering opportunities to every member of society and welcomes applications from across the board.

The Portsmouth PopUp Business School is available free of charge to participants through sponsorship and funding from Southern Housing Group and Portsmouth City Council.

Councillor Darren Sanders, Portsmouth’s cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness, added: ‘Sponsoring a PopUp Business School course is just one of the many ways that Portsmouth Council is supporting its residents through these tough economic times. We hope as many people as possible will sign up to this brilliant opportunity.’

While the event is being marketed to those living in Portsmouth, anyone is welcome to attend. To book a free place via the PopUp Business School website, at: bit.ly/PopUpPortsmouth

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