Get Started and Grow scheme helps business owner feel ‘more confident’ with free legal advice
The owner of a new marketing agency business in Stone says she is “really impressed” after receiving free legal help from Staffordshire County Council’s Get Started and Grow scheme.
When Kathryn Hyde founded ‘Concept Communications’ in 2020 she knew that having good quality client contracts in place was important. However, while she had some basic contracts drawn up, she knew that they could be improved on to protect her both her clients and business.
In 2023, Kathryn applied for legal advice through SCC’s Get Started and Grow Scheme, which offers professional help for small businesses up to five years old based in Staffordshire.
The scheme enabled Kathryn to benefit from the knowledge of independent legal expert, Suraj Rana.
Kathryn said: “Suraj had some absolutely fantastic insights into a wide variety of contract types, structures and elements that I could have put in place to protect both me and my clients.
“His suggestions extended far beyond my very basic knowledge of contract law, and he was able to give examples of how those with similar businesses to mine operate from a legal point of view. I was really impressed by the breadth and depth of his contract knowledge.”
Having put Suraj’s recommendations in place, Kathryn says she now feels “far more confident” that both her business and her clients are protected properly as they undergo increasingly complex projects and take on higher value contracts.
Kathryn was so appreciative of the support she received through the Get Started and Grow Scheme that she applied to be a part of the scheme herself so that she can help other small businesses like hers with social media and digital marketing support.
Kathryn added: “Thanks to Suraj, my business is in a position to step boldly forwards and, importantly, bring others along with me.”
Deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills at Staffordshire County Council, Philip White, said: “It is fantastic to see small Staffordshire businesses benefiting from expert advice through our Get Started and Grow scheme. What’s even better is seeing Kathryn go on to support the local economy by helping other start-up businesses like hers.
“I encourage other young Staffordshire businesses to apply for the scheme. Amongst other packages, you can get fully funded legal advice for your business from our local experts specialising in contract law.
“Consultants will walk you through the legalities of setting up a business and be able to advise on all things contractual from terms and conditions and non-disclosure agreements to company structure and shareholder agreements.”
Any Staffordshire business up to five years old can get support from the county council’s Get Started and Grow Scheme.
The scheme’s support packages are delivered by leading industry experts and are completely free of charge.
Packages include:
·Website support
·Branding and logo design
·Social Media support
·Accountancy support
·HR advice
·Legal advice
For more information or to apply for the scheme, visit Get Started and Grow - Staffordshire County Council.
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