René Carayol, entrepreneur and BBC’s Pay Off Your Mortgage In Two Years presenter, shares his though

René Carayol, entrepreneur and BBC’s Pay Off Your Mortgage In Two Years presenter, shares his thoughts on the business potential in the South East. The interview with Business Link took place for Global Entrepreneurship Week

René Carayol, a notable entrepreneur, BBC presenter and bestselling author speaks about his experiences of business and how starting and running a successful business is possible for anyone with the right preparation, support and belief.

René Carayol said, "Some of the best local businesses I’ve come across, have come from the unlikeliest places. People who have no heritage or background in running businesses. People who perhaps aren’t in the most fortunate positions, people who perhaps...... you’d think the last thing they’re going to do is go and start a business – well think again.

"If you’re really up for it, you’ve got a good idea, your determined to succeed, then start talking to people about your idea, your business opportunity. You don’t need to be wealthy, you don’t need to have all the cash in place, you don’t have to have all the expertise in place, you’ve got the germ, you’ve got that idea and you are committed, go and see Business Link – you’ll be stunned by what you can achieve."

Gareth Sears from Business Link said, "René has a passion for enterprise and encourages aspiring business owners to seek help. Business Link can support entrepreneurs through each step of starting a business, offering advice and assistance to change ideas into actions."

Business Link supports those who wish to become self-employed and gives people access to the information, advice and assistance they need to start and grow a business. Business Link’s services are available through calling 0845 600 9 006 or visiting www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast

Business Link also provides intensive support and coaching in enterprise to people in circumstances where they face barriers to enterprise and require extra support to start in business.

For more information about starting your own business with help from Business Link visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast/startingup or call 0845 600 9 006.



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Media contact:

Katie Mason

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Email: katie@ambmarketing.co.uk



Notes to Editors



Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) took place from 16 – 22 November 2009, and is a worldwide movement of business people, encouraging innovation, imagination and creativity. During GEW, thousands of events are run in the UK and across the world encouraging people to start their own businesses.



Department for Business Innovation and Skills figures published in October 2009 reveal that there were extra 30,000 businesses in the South East, a 4% increase on the previous year. http://stats.bis.gov.uk/ed/sme



About Business Link

Business Link’s information and advice services are available through the website www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast or by phoning 0845 600 9 006.



Business Link is the government funded national business information, advice and support service, delivered in the South East by the six Business Link Providers. In the South East the service is funded by SEEDA.



Business Link helps businesses and entrepreneurs to establish new enterprises and maintain and grow established companies by helping them to locate and benefit from the broadest range of public, private and voluntary business support services.



Business Link offers specific help to individuals who are unemployed, currently only working a few hours week or in a situation that makes it harder for them to get involved in enterprise or to access Business Link support. These two services help people to start a business and offers free, advice, coaching and intensive support from having and idea to when the individual starts trading. Once the business has been established the business owner is encouraged to take advantage of the extensive information, advice and support provided by Business Link’s core service.



SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, is the Government-funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development of the South East of England – the driving force of the UK’s economy. Through supporting businesses, encouraging innovation, developing skills and engaging with public and private partners, we aim to create a successful, sustainable future for the region.