West Devon Business Information Point assists many people start and successfully develop their business each year.

To be successful the following areas need to be addressed:

• Personal aims and abilities - why do you want to do this; is it realistic?
• Market research - will you have enough customers?
• Marketing - what is the best way to promote your products and services?
• Finance - do you have the required working capital and are there any grants or loans available?
• What business structure should you have?
• VAT, Tax and National Insurance issues
• Trading regulations and data protection
• Employing staff
• Training requirements for both you and your staff

West Devon Business Information Points' services for start up businesses include assistance in preparing business plans, applying for loans and obtaining the necessary information to start and run a business successfully.

We also run a series of Business Link workshops, "Is it for me?" Awareness Session for people planning to start a business; Sales and Marketing, Finance and Accounts, and Planning and Regulations for businesses within their first year of trading.

In addition to this we are also delivering a series of Barclays Lets Talk Starting in Business workshops in Tavistock, Okehampton and East Devon for people that are seriously considering starting their own business.