Category: news

Downpatrick business owner and motorcycle enthusiast, Chris Howard has turned his passion for motorcycles and motorcycle racing into his very own motorcycle repair business, CHP Motoworks, thanks to the help of the Go For It programme in association with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) programme and the 11 Councils.

Having only launched his business in March this year, Chris opened CHP Motoworks after identifying a gap in the market for a mobile motorcycle repair service and wanted to utilise over 20 years of industry experience.

CHP Motoworks is a motorcycle mechanic business which involves Chris travelling to different locations across Northern Ireland to carry out repairs, services, recovery work and MOT preparation for motorbikes and trikes.

Chris explains: “When I finally found the confidence to turn my passion into my very own business, I felt very nervous but at the same time hopeful and excited for what was to come. I’d say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done!”

Since launching CHP Motoworks earlier this year, Chris highlights it’s the flexibility of running his own business that he enjoys the most.

“Running my own business has been hugely beneficial and means I can enjoy myself a little more. I’m a father of two, so being your own boss means you can fit work around family life.

“The style of my work also means ‘normal’ working hours don’t suit many of my customers, so I can work my schedule around them. Being able to accommodate my customers is something I take pride in, and they really appreciate that.”

Chris launched CHP Motoworks after taking part in the Go For It programme through Newry Mourne and Down District Council.

The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business mentors through Northern Ireland’s wide network of enterprise agencies. It provides expert advice and support to develop a business plan that helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into commercial businesses.

After seeing an advert for the Go For It programme Chris got in touch with his local council and hasn’t looked back since.

Chris continues: “The Go For It programme offered me a range of fantastic support. I was provided with a business advisor and together we created a business plan. We considered all aspects of the business such as financial forecasting, sales strategies and insurance requirements like business insurance and liability insurance.

“We went through areas of the business I never would have thought of. I still use the business plan today and keep it as a guideline which I can refer back to regularly. It keeps me on track and gives me an idea of what I should be doing and when.”

Councillor Valerie Harte, Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said: “I’m delighted that the Go For It programme has enabled Chris to take his business idea and turn it into a viable business.

“It’s imperative that we continue to see people like Chris take the leap into entrepreneurship as this is vital for our local economy. The Go For It programme is an excellent source of support for aspiring entrepreneurs and I encourage anyone with a business idea to contact the Go For It team.”

Joan O’Hara, Business Advisor at Down Business Centre said: “It was fantastic to work alongside an entrepreneur like Chris who had a real passion for the business he wanted to set-up.

“Through the Go For It programme we developed a business plan which focused on areas such as financial planning, sales strategies and marketing while also allowing Chris to set achievable goals and milestones for the future.

“We wish Chris all the best for the future and we’re looking forward to watching CHP Motoworks thrive going forward.”

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business, contact the Go For It programme on: 0800 027 0639 or visit: www.goforitni.com.

A Pomeroy family have scooped up a business opportunity and launched their very own artisan ice cream business – Betty’s Ice Cream – thanks to the help of the Go For It programme in association with Mid Ulster District Council.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) programme and the 11 Councils.

Launched in 2021, Trevor Boyd, alongside his wife and daughter, decided to try something new and opened Betty’s Ice Cream having had time to take stock on their future during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trevor explains: “When we first launched Betty’s Ice Cream, we felt nervous, but we took comfort in the fact that the business was a family affair which made it really exciting.

“We haven’t looked back since launching as there are so many benefits of running your own business. The greatest benefit for me is seeing people enjoy the product we’ve worked hard to create, it’s so satisfying.”

Trevor along with Barbara and Bethany launched Betty’s Ice Cream after taking part in the Go For It programme through Mid Ulster District Council.

He admits that at the beginning it was difficult to juggle the different aspects of setting up, running and developing a business, but the Go For It programme was a fantastic source of support.

“The support provided through the Go For It programme and by my assigned business advisor was invaluable. I initially met with my business advisor with just an idea, and we focussed on putting together a business plan to help turn that idea into a reality.

“The business plan encouraged us as a family to focus on all the different aspects of running a business such as financial planning, marketing, legal requirements, sales strategies and so much more.

“The business plan means we have something tangible, something to look back on and amend as needed. It’s like our blueprint if you like.”

The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business mentors through Northern Ireland’s wide network of enterprise agencies. It provides expert advice and support to develop a business plan that helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into commercial businesses.

Councillor Dominic Molloy, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council commented: “It’s fantastic to witness how the Go For It programme has enabled a family to start their own business together, and it’s wonderful to see it doing so well since opening in 2021.

“It’s encouraging that people are continuing to take a leap of faith and turn their business dream into a reality. It’s entrepreneurship like this that contributes to our thriving local economy and makes Mid Ulster a fantastic hub for start-ups. Mid Ulster is home to the largest business base outside of Belfast, with 98% of our businesses being micro or small.  We are proud of our strong entrepreneurial culture – of which Trevor is a fantastic example.

“I wish Trevor and all his family the very best for the future of Betty’s Ice Cream.”

Jarlath Anderson, Business Advisor at Enterprise NI Dungannon said: “It was a real pleasure to support Trevor through the Go For It programme and the fact that Betty’s Ice Cream is a family affair made it extra special.

“We supported Trevor and his family through the provision of a business plan which focussed on everything from finances to sales strategies and marketing and I’m delighted that Trevor has found such value in this and continues to use it to this day.”

If you have a business idea you’d like to develop or if you are thinking about starting a business, contact the Go For It programme on: 0800 027 0639 or visit: www.goforitni.com.

Leading Communications Agency, ASG & Partners, expands Employer Marketing Division with significant investment and job creation.

 

One of Northern Ireland’s leading communications agencies has announced exciting expansion plans across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for its employer marketing division with the launch of The Formula.

This expansion comes as a result of a significant investment by ASG & Partners and will lead to the creation of five new job roles within the employer marketing division.

Employer marketing has been a specialist division of ASG & Partners for over 30 years, evolving from the traditional design and placement of recruitment advertisements to currently offering a service that encompasses employer branding, research, diversity and inclusion strategies, internal communications and specialist media consultancy.

The Formula was created in response to the current challenges faced by all sectors in both the recruitment and retention of staff.

Managing Director Emma Murray explains: “We are thrilled to announce a significant investment in our Employer marketing division, which will not only create five new job opportunities, but also empower employers across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland with the tools for success in today’s competitive recruitment landscape.

“The launch of The Formula is not only a testament to our unrivalled experience in employer marketing, but also signifies our commitment to driving employer success in the face of challenging recruitment landscapes.

“There are a number of compounding factors – the impact of COVID, Brexit, a fractured economy to name just a few – that have resulted in this challenging time for employers with regard to both attracting and retaining their staff. 

“Based on the latest figures derived from the Quarterly Employment Survey, Northern Ireland is experiencing its eighth consecutive quarterly increase in employee jobs. The market is undoubtedly buoyant and, as a result, attracting and holding on to staff can become much more challenging and competitive.

“A lot of employers simply don’t have the time needed for effective recruitment which regularly results in poor messaging and, unfortunately, unsuccessful campaigns.

The Formula aims to revolutionise employers’ approach to recruitment with a focus on reducing staff turnover, lowering the cost per hire, and optimising every stage of an organisation’s recruitment lifecycle.

Emma continues: “The Formula was borne out of our unrivalled experience within employer marketing and our desire to transform employers often reactive and ineffective approach to recruitment.

“We offer a wide range of bespoke employer marketing products and services that cover employer branding, internal communications, recruitment advertising and research that enable our clients to attract and retain quality talent and build a robust employer brand. A strong brand not only leads to a reduction in staff turnover and in cost per hire but underpins all stages of the recruitment lifecycle and will save recruiters time to focus on other responsibilities.”

“An employer may need help in the design and production of an Induction Toolkit for new team members or they may be keen to activate a purely social media focused campaign for their next round of recruitment. The role of HR in a business has transformed and the ask is now much greater than ever before. An employer may also require assistance with understanding how the company as a whole is viewed by potential candidates, how to reach and engage with the best talent for niche or volume roles, how to approach early careers promotion or even how to conduct and analyse an annual staff survey.

“We pride ourselves on working with our clients to produce the right formula for employer marketing success.”

For further information on the range of services available from The Formula, please contact Emma at hello@wearetheformula.co.uk

Tourism Ireland highlights Belfast and Northern Ireland to leading US travel professionals and journalists~

The spotlight will be on Belfast’s music and culture in New York this summer as the Lyric Theatre’s musical show Good Vibrations kicks off a five-week run today (Tuesday, 20 June) in the Irish Arts Center in New York.

Tourism Ireland hosted a preview event, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Bureau and the Irish Consulate, which was attended by leading travel trade representatives, as well as travel and lifestyle journalists, based in New York. The guests heard about Belfast’s rich musical heritage, its wonderful contribution to music and why American holidaymakers should come and visit.

Guests also had the opportunity to meet some of the cast and writers of Good Vibrations – which is based on the award-winning movie of the same name and tells the story of radical and charismatic punk music fanatic Terri Hooley and his journey to open a record shop, start a music label and keep music in general accessible in Belfast in the early 1970s.

The show is produced by the Lyric Theatre and supported by Tourism Ireland, as part of Tourism Ireland’s programme of activity to highlight Belfast’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music in the United States. Other Tourism Ireland activity to promote Good Vibrations in the United States includes a PR and publicity push, email marketing and activity on social media.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “Tourism Ireland is delighted to support this production of ‘Good Vibrations’ running in New York this summer – celebrating the city’s status as a UNESCO City of Music and reminding our important travel trade and media contacts about the many great reasons for US travellers to visit Belfast and Northern Ireland this year. The United States remains an extremely important market for tourism to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland – and music and culture are important elements of our overall tourism offering and a key message in Tourism Ireland’s promotions.”

Glenn Patterson, Good Vibrations writer; Ruth Moran, Tourism Ireland; Larry Kirwan, Sirius Radio presenter; Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland and Kevin O’Leary, PBS TV Producer, at the Good Vibrations preview show in the Irish Arts Center, New York.

Maren Rudolph, Travel Classics;Larry Kirwan, Sirius Radio presenter; Ruth Moran, Tourism Ireland; Jimmy Fay, Lyric Theatre; Margie Goldsmith, Forbes and Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland, at the Good Vibrations preview show in the Irish Arts Center, New York.

Ruth Moran, Tourism Ireland; Andrew Elliott, Director, Northern Ireland Bureau; Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland and Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland, at the Good Vibrations preview show in the Irish Arts Center, New York.

Ruth Moran, Tourism Ireland; Jimmy Fay, Lyric Theatre; Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland and Andrew Elliott, Director, Northern Ireland Bureau, at the Good Vibrations preview show in the Irish Arts Center, New York.