Anyone who wants to start a company in Emmen, but sees doing business as a big leap in the dark, doesn’t have to get their hands dirty. During a new ‘flying start’ process, a maximum of 12 new entrepreneurs will receive active guidance for six months, including a budget of 750 euros. Dènis Assen of Growing Emmen explains why.
Hello Dènis, we all want to make a flying start. Please explain what you are going to do.
“Starting entrepreneurs in the municipality of Emmen can register until May 1 for a trajectory, in which they receive active guidance from a coach for six months. Just call a trusted person with expertise with whom they can spar. To eventually be able to stand on my own two feet.”
You don’t do that alone at Growing Emmen?
“Together with UWV, NHL Stenden, Menso, the municipality of Emmen and IBDO, the entrepreneurial program from the province. We are sitting next to each other in one building in Emmen and we all do something for starting entrepreneurs, but that is fragmented. When we put on the table what we can offer starters together, it turned out to fit together like a puzzle. That is how the idea for this project was born.”
And that didn’t exist yet?
“No, strangely enough we have not thought of this before. At the beginning of this year, Liesbeth Omvlee of Menso and myself came up with the idea. As far as I know, we are the first in Drenthe to do it this way.”
How do you gauge what exactly a starter is looking for?
,,After registration, we hold an intake interview with each participant, in which we want to scan development and growth, such as negotiation and sales skills, on the one hand, and network opportunities on the other. Who you want to get in touch with in order to win over as a customer.”
And starters need that?
“Recently we talked to a group and it emerged that people need a process with active guidance. But also with customization; every starter has his own questions about entrepreneurship. They don’t want to hear things they already know. That is why we are working with six parties on this; to do what people are waiting for.”
A good coach also seems to me to be a matter of customization?
,,Beats. We have an entrepreneurial sounding board, consisting of people who have sold their company or are retired and would like to volunteer to coach starters. Suppose someone specifically wants to work on a network in a certain sector, then we link a suitable coach to that person.”
There are 12 spots available. Do you expect these to be filled quickly?
,,Yes, within an hour, I estimate. The first twelve registrations we receive will participate. Anyone who falls out of the boat can register again in November. We want to start the process twice a year. For those who are seriously considering starting a business.”
How much does participation cost?
Each participant pays a personal contribution of 180 euros, excluding VAT. Those who earn less than 130 percent of the social minimum will be reimbursed that amount. In addition, each participant receives a starter budget of 750 euros. With that money, people can purchase knowledge and advice according to their own needs.”
How do you pay for that budget?
“That money is covered from the budget of the six participating parties. No subsidy money.”
Do participants also keep a diary?
,,Participants meet monthly, where they discuss how they are doing and set new goals for the coming month. In this way they help each other to make steps. We keep track of everything. What questions there are and all. To be able to do even better next time.”
Will the fastest start eventually be rewarded?
Nice suggestion, I hadn’t thought about it! Knowing that a competitive element gives one a positive stimulus and the other may be paralyzed by it. The dynamics have to be right.”
When can a starting entrepreneur really call himself ‘flying’?
Compare it to a bird’s nest. The moment a bird steps over the edge and flies away. An entrepreneur who can now do everything himself and independently. And of course also laid an egg.”
You can sign up for the route via the website of Growing Emmen .