Business mentors

[Ali]

My wife is developing the farm business and has had success in a limited scale so far with what she is doing. She is working on beef and lamb sales from farm direct to the consumer.
Business gateway types things seem useless and offer little help.
Looking for any help and pointers that she could contact to discuss
Any suggestions.

 

[llamedos]

I would have suggested the Gateway as a start https://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/funding_and_support/rural_development_funding
But you say they are of little help, so unsure what to suggest other than finding the right person within the organisation to speak to, sometimes this does make a difference.

 

[Farmer Dod]

My wife is developing the farm business and has had success in a limited scale so far with what she is doing. She is working on beef and lamb sales from farm direct to the consumer.
Business gateway types things seem useless and offer little help.
Looking for any help and pointers that she could contact to discuss
Any suggestions.

Ali- spent a lot of holidays/ breaks in Cumbria and was amazed at number of farm shops etc down there and farmers who were marketing own meat. Might be worth googling and trying to contact some of them or even nipping down and visiting some yourself. Farmers are usually pretty willing to have a blether and as you're not exactly in their area may be worth a punt!

 

[Ali]

Thanks for the comments.
Wrt Local enterprise they have t been overly keen.
@Chae will pass on the rural leadership for her. See what she thinks.
We have looked on the Internet and travelled around looking at bits and pieces.
On one of the previous threads that I can't find now, a farm food business based in sw UK was offering advice to someone up in Scotland/north England
Anyone remember the post or was I just dreaming

 

[llamedos]

Thanks for the comments.
Wrt Local enterprise they have t been overly keen.
@Chae will pass on the rural leadership for her. See what she thinks.
We have looked on the Internet and travelled around looking at bits and pieces.
On one of the previous threads that I can't find now, a farm food business based in sw UK was offering advice to someone up in Scotland/north England
Anyone remember the post or was I just dreaming

Was it a thread where @Old Boar was passing on some of her wisdom from years of trading?

 

[Ali]

There was that one that was very useful but it was one from a few months previous.

 

[Tonka]

http://www.foodanddrink.scot/
How about contacting this body? I've worked alongside these local type of food groups and they work hard to help you to grow your business. As ever, you will only get something +ve out of it, if you put something into it. They are reliant on give and take - and not just take!

 

[Ali]

Thanks Tonka,
She is very keen, just our experience of the local enterprise company is that they have different priorities.
But I will pass that on and am sure it will be followed up

 

[Old Boar]

It may have been me, both times. I do tend to waffle on a bit! But, I have been there, worn out the T shirt. Do feel free to PM me if you would like any advice.
In the meantime have you contacted http://www.foodanddrink.scot/about-us/our-role.aspx

 

[Goatherderess]

I have a Dorset mentor from a scheme backed by the County Council, brilliant to have an experienced business woman looking at the business. We have about 4 meetings a year at a cost of £100 total,1st yr was RDPE funded. http://www.dormen.org.uk

 

[Ali]

Thanks for all your suggestions and advice. Have passed them on.