By james art Starting a business can be daunting, but in Durham there is a wide range of support to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful ventures. Durham Startups offers comprehensive support through its Solution Advisors. These advisors provide personalized guidance to help people take their ideas from concept to commercialization, focusing on building entrepreneurial skills and confidence.
Profile of Josh Newton, Solutions Advisor
Josh Newton is a seasoned business advisor and entrepreneur with extensive experience spanning various industries. Having personally navigated the challenges of running his own ventures – including a pastry business, cocktail bar and catering business – Josh has experienced both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. “My passion is helping entrepreneurs deal with the challenges of starting and growing their business. By providing personalized support, we empower them to make their vision a reality,” he shares, reflecting on his current role as a Solutions Advisor at Durham Startups.
In his role, Josh provides one-on-one support to people looking to start or grow their business, guiding them through key challenges including market research, identifying their target audience, building the entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive and guiding them to a set from available support. His approach is holistic, drawing on his personal experience to offer practical advice that resonates with aspiring business owners. “Seeing a business owner go from struggling to thriving just by implementing the right strategies is incredibly rewarding. It’s all about making a real, lasting impact on their journey,” he adds.
His combination of hands-on experience and consulting expertise makes him a trusted partner for start-ups navigating the early stages of business in County Durham.
Case study: Tailoring services to the right audience
One of the businesses Josh worked with was a hairdresser who initially struggled to grow their client base despite offering high quality services. Through their sessions, Josh helped her realize that her challenge wasn’t the quality of her work, but rather that she hadn’t clearly identified or targeted the right audience. Together, they analyzed her current customer base and researched what type of customers she wanted to attract.
Josh encouraged her to refine her marketing efforts by focusing on the specific clientele that fit her style and services, such as clients seeking premium treatments and those interested in a modern, fashionable look. This process not only clarified her direction, but also gave her the confidence to narrow her focus and target clients that aligned with her vision for the business.
“The key was to help her understand that not every customer is the right customer for your business. Once she embraced the idea of focusing on a specific audience, she felt more confident and in control,” Josh said.
With renewed confidence and a more strategic approach to marketing, the hairdresser began to attract her ideal clients, resulting in greater satisfaction on both sides. By tailoring her services and promotions to the right audience, she saw a noticeable improvement in customer retention and business growth.
Key areas of support include:
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Business Diagnostics: Solutions Advisors work closely with entrepreneurs to identify gaps in their business knowledge, whether it’s marketing, finance or general entrepreneurial skills. By conducting an initial diagnosis, they adapt support to individual needs.
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Specialist workshops: Business owners have access to a wide range of specialist interventions, including workshops on marketing, finance, green business practices, social enterprise and retail strategies. These workshops provide targeted advice to address specific challenges entrepreneurs may face.
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Ongoing Personalized Support: Unlike previous programs, the support available through Durham’s corporate initiatives is perpetual, allowing business owners to access guidance as needed rather than being limited by time constraints. This flexible approach ensures that startups can grow at their own pace, with expert help available at every stage.
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Access to rapid growth programs: For businesses that show potential for rapid growth, specialized programs such as the Durham City Incubator are available to help them scale. This allows businesses with high growth potential to connect with resources and programs that can accelerate their development.
Entrepreneurs in Durham benefit from a close-knit community of support designed to ensure they have the tools and confidence to succeed. From one-to-one sessions to specialist advice and workshops, the resources available are tailored to help businesses at every stage of their journey, whether they’re just starting out or looking to grow.
Get started today: Your business journey starts here
Are you ready to take the first step on your business journey? Whether you have a fully formed business idea or are just starting to explore your entrepreneurial potential, Durham Startups is here to help you succeed. By providing access to a wealth of resources, expert advice and a supportive community, we ensure you have everything you need to make your vision a reality.
Don’t let your business idea remain just a dream – make it a reality with Durham Startups.
Contact us today on 0191 6251221 and we’ll put you in touch with one of our Startup Solutions Advisors. Let’s work together to build a successful and sustainable business in County Durham.