Budding entrepreneurs living or working in Taranaki will have the opportunity to attend a free 10 day business course.
The South Taranaki District Council (STDC) has partnered with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to bring Rebel Business School Aotearoa to Taranaki as part of its economic and social development initiatives.
Over the 10 days, Rebel Business School (formerly PopUp Business School) delivers 20 workshops designed to equip participants with the tools they need to start their own business.
Topics include building a website for free, the quickest way to find a customer, and how to start a business with no money.
The course is free to participants who need only to commit to the 10 days of the course.
Running from 9.30am-2.30pm daily, the first seven days will be interactive online sessions with the final three days being held at the Community Centre in Hāwera, including a trade show of the newly created businesses and a graduate celebration.
STDC business development manager Scott Willson is excited to be bringing Rebel Business School to Taranaki.
"This gives anyone in Taranaki the opportunity to start a business and make money doing what they love. Participants get all the support they need to turn their idea into reality and even make their first sales within 10 days. After the course, an excellent alumni programme provides an ongoing support network to help people grow their businesses," he says.
MSD national manager industry partnerships Amanda Nicolle says small businesses are really important to the New Zealand economy.
"Ninety-seven per cent of New Zealand businesses employ up to 20 people and this represents 60 per cent of all jobs in New Zealand. We actively encourage people to make that step of getting on their small business journey and attend the Rebel Business School, Taranaki."
The PopUp Business School was brought to New Zealand from the UK by Kiwi Tony Henderson-Newport in 2017.
"More than 1000 participants have attended our events and formed businesses as diverse as Health & Safety consultants, a drone business, florist, crafts, food and so many more. It's inspiring to see the excitement grow in attendees as their business comes to life," Henderson-Newport says.
While the course is free for participants to attend, Henderson-Newport says it wouldn't have happened without the generous support of its funding partners.
"We are grateful to our partners, STDC and MSD. They recognised what this opportunity means for the community and came on board. We are just so excited to get stuck in."
The course runs from May 24-June 4. For more information and to get involved go to: www.rebelbusinessschool.nz/events.
For more information and to get involved go to: www.rebelbusinessschool.nz/events.