Bruce Petty has seen his business idea go from concept to reality thanks to the start-up support he received from Buckinghamshire Business First.

Bruce came into the Buckinghamshire Business First offices at The Clare Charity Centre in Saunderton in need of advice as he tried to form his training solutions business. As a Saunderton resident it was a convenient location, but he had no idea of the level of support that was on his doorstep and about to come his way.

Bruce was introduced to the multitude of support available to entrepreneurs and businesses by the Business Support Team. Firstly there was Buckinghamshire Business First’s own Hub in Saunderton. Complete with meeting rooms and hot desks, Bruce finds it the perfect place for an up-and-coming entrepreneur. “I’m able to hold meetings with clients at the Hub free of charge, which is perfect for me as I work from home, something that isn’t ideal for meetings when you want to look as professional as possible.”

Then there were the networking groups – lots of them, as Bruce explains. “I was recommended a long list of networking events which are on the Buckinghamshire Business First website. I simply went through the entire list attending as many as I could.” For any would-be entrepreneur trying to gain a foothold in business, networking is king. So, did Buckinghamshire Business First’s advice pay off? “Absolutely.” says Bruce, “I made excellent connections at those events and found many good leads that led to work.”

Thanks to this kind of support and Bruce’s entrepreneurial spirit and vision, Invenio Training Limited was born. Invenio Training offers flexible and industry specific training solutions for businesses of all sizes, with a practical approach meeting the needs and objectives of its clients. Bruce signed the business up for free as a member of Buckinghamshire Business First and then, on BBF’s suggestion, also joined the Federation of Small Businesses.

Six months after his first encounter with Buckinghamshire Business First, Bruce’s plans for growth include recruiting his first employee and he wouldn’t hesitate to go back to Buckinghamshire Business First for support. “I’m always made to feel very welcome every time I go to them for support. Everybody is so helpful and friendly.”

What Bruce values most is the ongoing support that Buckinghamshire Business First provides. “It didn’t stop with the start-up support. I receive regular emails with suggestions of support, funding opportunities and potential leads. No matter what issue crops up, I’ll go to Buckinghamshire Business First for advice and it’s always valued advice that comes from a knowledgeable place.”