‘A good time to start a business’

THE worst of times could prove to be the best of times for would-be entrepreneurs.

The current recession could, believes a Cornish-based mentoring organisation, persuade more people to launch their own businesses

Many successful business gurus say that a recession is the best start-up time as there are more opportunities and niche markets to be sought.

One person who should know is Peter de Snoo, from Perranwell, near Truro, founder of the Mentors’ Den, which has 15 mentors across Cornwall and has so far helped more than 70 businesses to get started.

“Not only the public but also the private sector will be affected by the recession as major capital projects are scrapped by the Government,” he said.

For some years Mr de Snoo was a mentor with the Prince’s Trust and has been a trustee of charities involved with people who have learning and other disabilities.

After resigning from the Prince’s Trust in 2008, he started his own mentoring service.

In Cornwall 15 per cent of the workforce is self-employed and that figure is expected to increase in the next few years.

“Unfortunately, the failure rate is high but analysis has shown that business plans have not been executed effectively and advice on how to start a business has either not been sought or has not been available,” said Mr De Snoo.

Mentors’ Den offers each client a dedicated mentor, not just for weeks but in some cases for years, he said.

It is a free service and covers all aspects of running a business, from marketing to sales, financial controls and personnel.

Dartmoor Prison is in discussion with the Mentors’ Den and it is planned to have a partnership agreement, offering business mentoring to prisoners to assist them to start a business on their release.

This is in the hope it will reduce reoffending, which currently runs at a high level.

Such is the demand for its service, that Mentors’ Den is looking for more mentors willing to offer their knowledge and experience.

● Anyone interested in the Mentors’ Den’s services or in becoming a mentor, is asked to contact Mr de Snoo on 01872 862832, by e-mail to swmentors@aol.com or at www.mentorsden.co.uk