Entrepreneurs Catrin and Simon Macdonnell, the husband-and-wife team behind Clifton’s Papadeli delicatessen and café, will share their experiences of starting up and growing a business at a seminar in Bristol staged by Barclays Bank.
The couple, who launched Papadeli more than 10 years ago, will explain how inspiration, passion and sheer determination can mean the difference between business success and failure.
They will be joined by Fred Cairns Palmer, managing director of Gloucester-based Water Coolers Direct, at the event – part of a nationwide series of Barclays seminars aimed at supporting business growth and helping the economy recover.
All the Ignite Business Growth seminars take place on Wednesday June 20 and will provide businesses with the tools and expertise they need to help them grow and thrive in what remains a difficult trading climate.
The Bristol event takes place at Bristol City FC’s Ashton Gate stadium, between 5pm and 9.30pm.
Aimed at established businesses, the events are designed to help business owners look at product innovation to help increase profits, study overseas growth opportunities to fuel their bottom line, and to discuss the power of fresh marketing ideas.
The seminars follow research showing many small business owners are optimistic and looking towards innovation to help grow their business in 2012. Some 37% say they are looking to grow this year and see innovation as the key driver.
Head of Barclays Business in South West Darren Farnell said: “The current economic climate continues to have an impact on many small businesses in the UK and confidence remains low.
“But it is encouraging to see that there is optimism out there, with many businesses introducing new products and services to help them expand their business. We are committed to helping our business clients to thrive and events like this help business owners to take a step back and consider what options they have available to them.”
The seminars are being run in partnership with Innocent Drinks, Blackberry, Business Link, UKTI, SDI and ACCA.
Darren added: “Last year more than 14,700 business owners attended one of 897 free Barclays Business seminars and we have had interest from many more. We are committed to helping revitalise the UK economy, which is dependent on small businesses having the confidence to invest and grow.”
The Bristol event will be linked via satellite to the flagship seminar in Birmingham where Innocent Drinks co-founder Adam Balon will speak about his journey from start-up in 1998 to managing a company turning over in excess of £100m, including the initial research which prompted the three founders to resign from their City jobs and set up the business and the challenges and opportunities along the way.
All the events will have two-way filming and audio linkup to allow interaction with delegates across the venues.
For more information or to register go to: www.barclays.co.uk/ignitebusinessgrowth
