Whether you’ve a side hustle idea, want to turn a hobby into income or you’re ready to go into full-time self-employment, this is for you!

What are Flying Start Workshops?

Whether you’ve a side hustle idea, want to turn a hobby into an income or you’re ready to go into full-time self-employment, Flying Start is here to help you take that first step – with confidence.

Brought to you by the North East BIC, Flying Start is a monthly series of FREE live workshops, designed for people in Sunderland who are curious about becoming their own boss.

We cover all the business basics in a supportive environment where you’ll meet others on the same journey and start building your business know-how and self-belief you need to make your ideas happen.

Workshop four: How to secure your first customers

Finding your first customers is often one of the biggest worries when starting out – but it doesn’t have to be.

In this practical session, we’ll help you understand who your ideal customers are, where to find them, and how to reach them – even on a tight budget. You’ll also gain a clearer picture of your competitors and how to stand out from the crowd.

This fourth workshop in the Flying Start series breaks down the fundamentals of marketing, market research, and branding to give you the tools to confidently start attracting the right people to your business.

Whether you’re planning to sell a product or offer a service, we’ll help you take the guesswork out of getting started.

What you’ll learn

By the end of the workshop, you’ll know:

Profile your target customers – what they want, where they are, and how they behave

Understand the basics of market research – and why it matters

Make the most of low cost and no-cost marketing tools

Identify your unique selling point (USP) and build a compelling elevator pitch

Develop your marketing strategy, brand identity and values

Use AI to assist – and know where your own judgement needs to come in

No jargon. No pressure. Just honest advice, friendly support, and everything you need to get things off to a successful start.

Who it’s for

This event is perfect for:

People living in the Sunderland Local Authority Area

Those with a business idea or curiosity about self-employment

Anyone who hasn’t registered as self-employed with HMRC

Learners who like to get answers to questions there and then

You’ll be supported throughout by one of our experienced and friendly business advisers, who’ve all run their own businesses and know the reality of self-employment.

Ongoing Support

After learning the business basics from the Flying Start workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to book a free one-to-one session with a business adviser to dive deeper into your business idea and build a plan that suits your goals and circumstances. This is your gateway to everything else the BIC offers to help businesses get off the ground and grow.

You’ll also unlock free access to 44 Smarta online learning modules to explore topics including digital marketing, intellectual property, health and safety, and more. Dip in and out at your own pace to go deeper into topics that interest you most.

Can’t make the date?

It’s a rolling programme – start at the beginning and follow the full series, or pick up missed sessions next month. If you prefer to learn in your own time online, Smarta’s eLearning might be what you’re looking for. Get in touch and we’ll help you find the format that fits.

Description supplied by the event organiser.