Course Description

Have you an idea for a small business that you want to explore? Are you ready to take the next step, develop your product and present it to potential buyers? This course is aimed at start-up businesses that are about to embark on the next step of their business journey. During this course you will learn how to develop your business story, explore marketing options, and attract PR potential. You will also discuss pricing, packaging and presentation to help ensure your product ticks all the right boxes. Mary Jane Baxter is GCDA’s Communications Lead. She is a former BBC Journalist, published author and magazine columnist. Mary Jane also had her own hat making business, sold her first millinery collection to Harvey Nichols and ran creative workshops at Liberty of London and The Fashion & Textile Museum. Gary Mack is GCDA’s Community Development Lead. Gary is an experienced personnel manager and former Head of Retail Operations for OneDeko Ltd where he was responsible for all areas of store, stock and logistic management. Gary is also a highly skilled communicator and teaches GCDA’s social media and web design courses. PLEASE BE AWARE This course is for people who have a clear idea of a product or service they wish to progress to the next level. Please do not apply if you are not yet at that stage. Contact us at learning@gcda.org.uk if you have any queries. Due to large numbers of people booking onto our courses and not turning up, we are now taking a £10 deposit for each course to help ensure attendance. You are welcome to leave the deposit as a donation, which will be used to support the learning contract. You will be eligible to get the deposit back if you attend every session. Or, if you can’t attend, you must: Email or contact the tutor or admin team on Learning@gcda.org.uk to let them know you can’t make it. Still attend at least 80% of the course. Do not book on if you think you cannot attend 80% of the course. You must give 24 hours notice to be eligible for the refund If you don’t show up and don’t get in touch, you will lose your deposit. If leaving a £10 deposit is a barrier because of financial difficulties, please contact learning@gcda.org.uk to talk to us about this. You must request the return of the deposit within 7 days of the end of the course. If you want to leave the deposit as a donation, we’d be so grateful and it will help support the learning contract.