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City business service is celebrating 200th client [Herald, The (Plymouth, England)](Herald, The (Plymouth, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A BUSINESS advice service is celebrating after helping its 200th organisation get off the ground. Outset Plymouth's milestone client was web design company wedesignfor.com Since launching in 2010, Outset Plymouth has worked with almost 2,100 local people, helping them to explore the possibility of starting their own businesses, which have contributed around 250 additional jobs for the local economy. Website designer Matt Fryer, the man behind wedesignfor.com, attended the Introduction to Enterprise and Business Start Up courses run by Outset Plymouth. After leaving Devonport High School for Boys, Matt studied computing at Plymouth City College and went on to study BSc IT Management for Business at the University of Exeter. He then developed his practical knowledge through work experience, including a placement at SAS, one of the world's largest privately owned software companies. Matt approached Outset Plymouth in July 2013, already armed with a business model for his web design company. Matt said: "Although there are some great opportunities out there for anyone with business, IT or design skills, I've always wanted to start my own company. "This is mainly because I want to be involved in every part of the business and put my own ideas into practice." wedesignfor.com offers website design services to small businesses in the South West and throughout the UK. Matt continued: "Outset's support has been vital in making this happen. "For example, my adviser Neil Jeffery guided me through accounting processes and, with his deep understanding of my industry, helped me formulate my business plan. "The courses were also a great place to meet like-minded people and get feedback on my ideas. "I will continue to have one-to-one meetings with my adviser; the team at Outset has been very approachable and easy to get hold of at any time." Outset Plymouth is delivered by YTKO Group and works closely with Enterprise Coaching from Working Links as part of Plymouth's Urban Enterprise programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Plymouth City Council. Bev Hurley CBE, Chief Executive of YTKO Group, said: "We are thrilled that our service in Plymouth has helped so many local people to realise their dreams and achieve their goals. "We look forward to working with the local community in 2014 to encourage more people to explore self-employment and make a positive impact to the economy as well as their own lives." Outset Plymouth's fully-funded courses encourage clients to consider their skills and aspirations and place these into the context of running a business. Having developed a feasible business idea, a more advanced course nurtures clients' skills in marketing, sales and finance, helping them to prepare their business for launch. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |