Eight sessions in detail

The first session is an orientation. Participants map where they currently are: what stage their idea or business is at, what they already know, and what they are uncertain about. This shapes the group's shared understanding and gives the facilitator a clear picture of where to focus. No prior business knowledge is assumed or required.

What a business plan is actually for. This session focuses on the elements that are genuinely useful rather than the full formal structure that most early-stage businesses do not need. Participants look at how to describe their offer, who it is for, and what it costs to deliver.

Thinking clearly about who your customers are. This session covers how to describe the people who buy from you, why they buy, and what matters to them. The aim is to help participants move from vague ideas about their audience to something more specific and useful for decision-making.

Pricing is one of the most practically difficult areas for people starting out. This session covers different ways to think about what to charge, what to factor into a price, and the common mistakes that leave people undercharging. It is not a formula but a framework for thinking more clearly. The session also covers how to communicate about price with customers.

This session focuses on why keeping personal and business money separate matters and how to start doing it. Mixing the two creates confusion about whether the business is actually generating a surplus. The session covers practical approaches to setting up a cleaner financial structure, without getting into accounting or tax territory.

Basic financial literacy for people running a business. This session covers income and costs in plain terms, what the difference between them means, and how to read the numbers you generate without needing to be an accountant. The focus is on understanding, not on preparing financial documents. Participants are encouraged to bring real numbers if they feel comfortable doing so.

An overview of what kinds of programmes and support structures exist for self-employed people and small businesses. This includes awareness of public schemes, available information resources, and how to find out what you might be eligible for. The session provides orientation, not advice on specific applications.

The final session reviews what the group has covered and gives each participant space to think about what they want to do next. This is not a formal presentation. It is a structured reflection on where you started and where you are now, and a practical look at what needs attention in the period ahead.