16 August 2022

FUTURE FIXERS LAUNCHES ONE-STOP SHOP FOR 'GOOD' BUSINESS ADVICE

A South Lakes training and development company with a mission to support and inspire organisations to get people and planet at the heart of what they do is expanding its offer of support.

Future Fixers CIC, led by Dave Brown and Karen Bentley-Brown with support from South Lakeland District Council, is launching Good Business Drop-in sessions for anybody interested in finding out more about purposeful business start-ups, sustainable business development strategies, personal and staff development, environmental audits, carbon management and green energy options, eco-innovation support, funding questions and more.

Those who want to find out how to ‘green’ their business, as well as how to look after their ‘people’ (staff, customers and themselves), are likely to benefit from these monthly drop-in sessions taking place at Mintworks in Kendal town centre, beginning on Tuesday 6 September at 9am.

Future Fixers CIC was originally set up by Dave Brown and Karen Bentley-Brown as a way to help young entrepreneurs to start purposeful businesses. Now, the organisation has grown into a well-established social enterprise with a team of skilled directors on board and is beginning to spread its wings.

Whilst their popular flagship Purposeful Business Start-up Programme, supported by South Lakeland District Council, is still very much part of what they are all about, Future Fixers also organises a wide variety of networking and training opportunities for businesses in the South Lakes area.

Karen said: "We support those who want to use their businesses as a way to influence positive change and we believe business can be a force for good. We need to work together if we are going to solve the climate crisis and ensure that future generations are able to thrive on a healthy planet, so we aim to connect like-minded people through a variety of events and courses. We’re particularly excited about our new ‘Better Business Drop-ins.’

"There are huge benefits for SMEs to commit to a more sustainable way of working. Reducing your carbon footprint can help you cut costs and save money on utility bills, travel costs, and on materials that are eventually discarded."

The first Better Business Drop-in session will be held in the Mintworks in Highgate, Kendal, on Tuesday September 6 from 9am to 4pm, and then every first Tuesday of the month.

Free advice will be available from a range of specialists, including Karen and Dave, Future Fixers’ directors and people from ‘good business’ support organisations, including Tim Maiden from Green Small Business.

As well as being able to drop in for a chat, people will be able to use the hot-desk facilities free of charge, meet and network with like-minded people, AND enjoy great coffee and (plant-based) cake.

Councillor Dyan Jones, SLDC's Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: "Building businesses which are sustainable and environmentally friendly is not only vitally important to the future of the planet but is increasingly important to consumers, customers and employees.

"I would encourage anybody interested in finding out more to get themselves along to one of these sessions at the Mintworks, which have the added bonus of encouraging networking with like-minded people, free hotdesking and coffee and cake. It could be the first step towards something which will change your life."

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: "Future Fixers has proved to be a great success, providing excellent, practical support to people with a dream of using their passions and interests to start a sustainable business. We are delighted to have been able to support Future Fixers from the beginning and are excited to see the programme expand and develop, with the increasing number of businesses which have been supported by Karen and Dave a testament to its worth."

Meanwhile, the next Future Fixers Purposeful Business Start-up Programme begins on 21 September. If you or anyone you know is interested in setting up a people and planet focused business, further details can be found https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-fixers-purposeful-business-start-up-programme-tickets-375045821147

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