West Lothian Council

Today is Single Parents Day 2025 – a day dedicated to raising awareness of the support available to help lone parent families overcome challenges and thrive 📢   We have extensive experience of working alongside Access2Employment’s Parental Employment Support team to provide a wide range of self-employment support to single parents living in West Lothian. Self-employment is an excellent option as being your own boss allows parents to work flexibly around the needs of their families.   Recently, our Start Up Adviser Lenna, and Parental Employment Support Adviser Lauren, were delighted to help Fauldhouse resident and single parent Sam Young launch her dream business, The Paw Patrol. This included help with creating a clear business plan, carrying out a financial forecast, and funding towards initial start up costs. With this support, Sam was able to launch her dog walking service with confidence.   If you would like to learn more about the support available for you and your business, please email bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk 📧 #WestLothian #SingleParentDay2025 #SelfEmployment

Today’s the day! ✨ We can’t wait for our ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event, which is taking place today from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at West Lothian College. It’s going to be an exciting event, where we will be sharing: ✔️ The wide range of support available to help new businesses in West Lothian ✔️ Funding opportunities that you could be eligible for ✔️ The importance of building a strong brand (with helpful tips from expert Michelle Brown) ✔️ How to introduce sustainable practices within your new business We will also be hosting an exciting panel with three amazing local business owners: Laura MacMillan MCIOF (Cert), Owner of Tricycle Treats, Nadia McKay, Owner of Nexa IQ Ltd, and Sarah Eaton, Owner of Bonnie Braids by Sarah. They will be telling us about their inspiring business journeys and sharing the lessons that they have learnt along the way.   Don’t worry if you haven’t had a chance to book yet, there’s still time! ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eXFtQt8v We hope to see you there! #WestLothian #StartUp #SelfEmployed

Are you thinking of starting, or have you recently started, a business in West Lothian? 💭 Join us for our ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event to learn how we can help you launch your dream business! During the event, we will be highlighting the wide range of support that is available for new businesses (including funding opportunities), sharing how you can build a strong brand, and giving tips on how you can introduce sustainable working practices. We will also be learning how some local business owners launched their own business in West Lothian, in an exciting panel moderated by Michelle Brown. There will also be time for networking, giving you the opportunity to ask our advisers questions and connect with likeminded local business owners! 📅 Tuesday, the 18th of March ⌚ 5:00pm – 7:00pm  📍 West Lothian College, Livingston Learn more and book your space below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eXFtQt8v #WestLothian #StartUp #Entrepreneur

There’s just 1 week to go until our ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event – have you booked your free space yet?! 🎟️ Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet our friendly advisers, learn from a panel of entrepreneurs, network with likeminded local residents, and most importantly, discover the wide range of support available to help new and aspiring business owners! This is taking place on Tuesday, the 18th of March, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, at West Lothian College in Livingston, and is free to attend for West Lothian residents. We hope to see you there! Book your space below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eXFtQt8v #WestLothian #StartUp #Networking

This is your reminder that when you work with us, you will be allocated a dedicated adviser to support your business 🤝 Your adviser will be able to answer any questions you may have, give constructive advice and recommendations, and share helpful resources tailored to your business. All of this support is delivered on a 1:1 basis and is confidential. To get started and request support for your business, please email bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk 📧 #WestLothian #SelfEmployed #Entrepreneur

Would you like to learn more about the Sources and Types of Funding that your business could be eligible for? 💰 If your answer is yes, join us on Thursday, the 13th of March, for our 'Get Ready for Investment: Sources and Types of Funding' workshop. This will be delivered by the fantastic Martin Aitken & Co Ltd team, and will cover topics including: ✔️ Types & sources of finance - equity finance, debt capital, alternative finance, e.g. crowdfunding, competitions, and grants & economic incentives ✔️ Equity vs Debt - the impact on the business, the balance sheet and the conditions that come attached to the funding ✔️ Valuation – how much do you dilute? ✔️ Due diligence – purpose and preparing for due diligence ✔️ Other considerations, e.g. security, guarantees ✔️ Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed EIS - qualifying conditions and tax reliefs available to the business and the investors ✔️ Why having a ‘Cocktail of Funds’ is likely to be the route most travelled and bringing the cocktail together. This is taking place from 9:30am - 12:30pm at the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian office in Bathgate. This is free to attend for local business women as part of our West Lothian Women in Entrepreneurship project. Book your free space below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eaE3C2ep #WestLothian #Funding #BusinessFunding

Having a strong brand helps you build customer loyalty, stand out from the competition, and win business ✔️ If you would like to learn how to build a brand, or inject more personality into your current brand, don't miss out on our upcoming 'Build a Powerful Brand with Personality' webinar. During the webinar, our host Michelle Brown will be covering topics including: ✔️ Creating a brand strategy ✔️ Analysing your brand identity, tone of voice and language ✔️ Aligning your brand personality with your values ✔️ Honing your brand story ✔️ How to ensure your brand personality is distinctively different and relatable This is taking place on Wednesday, the 26th of February, from 10:00am - 12:00pm. West Lothian businesses, book your free space below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eGkUqmqu #WestLothian #Branding #Marketing

Have you already started your business in West Lothian? 🤔 We can provide you with support to help you improve performance and grow your existing business! If you have been trading for 18 months or less, one of our friendly Start Up Advisers can help you navigate the early stages of running a business. If your business has been trading for longer, our Growth Advisers can help you take it to the next level. To find out more, please email bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk 📧 #WestLothian #StartUp #BusinessGrowth

There are still limited spaces remaining for our 'Improve Your Business Marketing with Artificial Intelligence (AI)' workshop! ⏳ Delivered by Gary Ennis, this is taking place next Tuesday, the 25th of February, from 10:00am - 3:30pm at the SPA (Scottish Procurement Alliance) Hub in Livingston. This exciting workshop is always a hit with attendees, with topics covered during the interactive session including: ✔️ What is Generative Artificial Intelligence? ✔️ Current AI tools and systems to use right now (including ChatGPT and MidJourney) ✔️ Creating the perfect prompts ✔️ Automating digital content for blogs and social media ✔️ Using AI for business strategy and customer profiling ✔️ Expert tips and advice to get the most from ChatGPT This is free to attend for West Lothian businesses. Don't miss out, book your space now! ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e44mj36G #WestLothian #ArtificialIntelligence #AI

Are you struggling to hit your business targets? 🎯 Get in touch to learn more about the wide range of support available to help you achieve your goals! Our support is confidential, impartial and free for West Lothian businesses. To get started, please email bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk today 📧 #WestLothian #Targets #SelfEmployed