Get Connected

 Stephen Browne, owner of Get Connected IOM, gained support through the Micro Business Grant Scheme. The scheme has been designed to give start-ups and early stage small businesses the necessary training, financial support and mentoring to get their business off the ground.        

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY, WHEN DID YOU SET UP AND WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS OFFER? 

I setup in December 2020, starting out I focused the business more on tech guidance for the elderly alongside TV installations. But as time progressed the TV side of the work became far more prominent and has now grown into offering full Media Wall Installations working alongside other skilled professionals and also growing our list of commercial clients.

HOW HAS THE MICRO BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME HELPED YOUR BUSINESS?

The course was great especially in the beginning giving you a key insight into bookkeeping, time management and marketing. It was also very beneficial to listen to talks from business owners and hearing their journeys which took a lot of pressure off the unknown. 

HOW DID YOU FIND THE EXPERIENCE OF RECEIVING SUPPORT? 

The training was great especially from Tracy Underwood, she helped me a lot to make good decisions along the way. It felt like a fair process that made sense, at least to me, as to the requirements for the funding to be given.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS - WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO? 

The things I love most about the business are seeing where it has gone, from where it was. I believe it is now established on the Island and that makes me very proud. I have a perfectionist attitude towards work carried out but most importantly service. I love leaving a job satisfied it couldn’t have been done to a higher standard and that the customer in return was happy.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE ISLE OF MAN AS THE DESTINATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

Being a trade style business and having lived here just about all my life it was the only place I wanted to operate this particular business from. 

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO? HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?

Outside of work Skateboarding is my main passion, along with playing Music in a band. I have always tried to help endorse the Manx skate scene and have a few projects in the pipeline which keep me highly motivated away from work. 

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE SUPPORT SCHEMES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR ENTERPRISE? 

I heard about the scheme through a friend who had completed the course himself and spoke very highly of it. 

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE SUPPORT SCHEME TO OTHER BUSINESSES AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR GOING THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

I would highly recommend the course for first time business owners.

My advice would be to use the time spent on the course to learn and soak up as much as you can. You are given the benefit of asking as many stupid questions as you like so you might as well get them out of the way at the start of your journey!

Another thing I would add though, is don’t setup your business under the assumption that you need this funding for your business to succeed. Try to grow your business from nothing and if you meet the requirements for the funding it will only further boost the hard work you will have inevitably put in up to that point.
 

The Micro Business Grant Scheme has been designed for new start-ups or businesses trading for less than 18 months, with a turnover between £15,000 and £100,000. The scheme is also suitable for individuals looking to take their first steps into self-employment. Matched funding up to £6,000 is available. Find out more about the Scheme here.