A Derby City man is successfully running his own business thanks to the help of the Derbyshire Enterprise Agency.

Clive Keble had a career history in planning, economic development and environment work spanning three decades, when he took the opportunity to become self employed and set up his own business, Clive Keble Consulting Ltd, to offer expert advice to clients on town planning, funding bids, plans for investment in forestry and leisure facilities and economic development.

At the initial stages of making the decision to go self employed, he knew he needed to explore his business idea further and gain more confidence to go it alone. He decided to approach the DEA after seeing an advert in the local paper.

“I am very pleased with the support I have received,” said Clive, “I already had the germ of a business idea and wanted to move that idea on to the next stage, so I went to several of the Enterprise Explorer workshops.

“These introduced me to issues such as business planning and encouraged me to think through my idea to make sure I had a viable proposition that would sell and make money.

“One of the workshops also guided me through marketing myself on the Internet, explaining how to plan a successful website, how to use email and the benefit of using social networks.

“The courses gave me greater confidence to set up as self employed and I was also able to network with like-minded people and meet potential clients,” added Clive.

Scott Knowles Deputy Chief Executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, said, “Clive’s experience is an excellent example of what DEA can do – help individuals living in Derbyshire to take the first steps to being their own boss.

“We put together a comprehensive programme of support and training that included confidential advice from a professional business adviser and personal and business development workshops that aimed to give individuals the help to develop a business idea and grow in personal skills to take that idea forward to become a sustainable business."

For more about Clive’s business see www.ckebleconsult.co.uk.