Digital & IT

Launch of The Business Nation - Bournemouth supporting entrepreneurs during current crisis

Paul Harrison and Steve Witt who have launched The Business Nation - Bournemouth.

By Staff Reporter [email protected]

Published: March 29, 2020 | Updated: 29th March 2020

Entrepreneurs Steve Witt and Paul Harrison, bosses of Bournemouth-based travel company Not Just Travel, have launched The Business Nation – Bournemouth.

The online community hub is open to all company owners and entrepreneurs spanning all professions.

The aim to educate, support and unite through a daily programme of relevant interviews, podcasts, webinars and inspiring and insightful content.

Content will be curated by specialists from across all business disciplines, from marketing and finance, public relations and sales.

In addition, motivational speakers and coaches will also contribute with relevant sessions.

It comes at a time when the whole business community is suffering as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Steve said: “In Dorset alone there are more than 56,000 registered companies, with Poole and Bournemouth accounting for the lion’s share of new businesses.

“I can guarantee that virtually every single one of these businesses is hurting right now.

“The owners of these companies and the freelancers out there are dealing with issues they never envisaged having to face.

“Many are scared that their businesses are going to fold.

“It’s a very unsettling time for everyone.

“This is why we set up The Business Nation: to unite us; to create a platform on which we can support each other, share information and pool our knowledge.”

Initially devised as a training platform to support the 450+ Not Just Travel homeworkers, all of whom are company franchisees, it soon became apparent that the resources should be shared to benefit the entire business industry.

“At a time when business owners need support more than ever before, it seemed wrong to keep it to ourselves,” said Steve.

“We can’t help the nation in the same way that the NHS staff are (and they are doing an amazing job), but we can help business owners and entrepreneurs – so that’s what we decided to do.

“We’re all in this crisis together, and it’s important that we get through it together.”

Steve stressed the platform belonged to the entire business community within Bournemouth – and beyond via localised platforms.

He said: “This is not a money-making idea or a promotion for Not Just Travel or The Travel Franchise.

“It’s simply a platform on which entrepreneurs can unite to help them ride this COVID-19 crisis, but also strengthen the community beyond this period.

“This is an opportunity to create some good out of what is a very unsettling time for us all.

“It’s not a community for rants and moans and negativity – it’s for the good of the local business community, to make us stronger, more educated, to share our knowledge and come together.

“If we can come out of this not only better educated, more confident entrepreneurs and mentally stronger then it’s a source of good.

“Yet, beyond COVIDd-19, we hope The Business Nation will remain a strong, supportive, inspirational platform from which local communities across the country will benefit.”

To become part of community, search for The Business Nation – Bournemouth on Facebook to request free membership or click the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.business.nation.in.bournemouth/

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