AFTER years of financial hardship and austerity, green shoots of recovery are starting to appear in the UK’s economy.

And to help those hoping to take advantage by starting up their own firms in Hampshire, an organisation formed by local business owners is looking to help those bidding to become a success in the world of business.

The Solent Business Growth Network (SBGN) is a community interest company set up to support local businesses and provide services and support to those wanting to make their own way.

Founder David Vane said: “Selfemployment or running your own business isn’t considered a viable option by many people but it is going to be one of the ways that we build economic growth in this area.

“There will be many people of all ages who are wondering how they are going to manage and we believe that encouraging an ‘enterprise’ culture can make a big difference.”

In the first of a series of articles, SBGN member and business consultant Simon Whitbread looks at what characteristics make a successful business person...

THERE’S always a lot of discussion over what are the most important characteristics of a successful entrepreneur.

Some say that it is about determination and resolve, being able to overcome the difficulties when they arise; others talk of creativity and initiative, the ability to think up new products and exciting ways to sell them.

While these things are important for me, having a good mixture of selfawareness and self-belief is more important.

Self-awareness is about knowing what you’re good at and, more importantly, what you enjoy.

There’s no point trying to be a bookkeeper if you hate numbers and are no good at spreadsheets. Equally, if you have a real passion for something then it might be worth trying to find a way to turn it into a business.

Second, before you can get anyone else to believe in you, whether an investor or customer, you have to believe in yourself.

I’m not talking about being arrogant but knowing that what you have to offer your customers has value and delivers benefits to them. If you don’t think what you have to sell is good then the chances are no one else will either.

So if you’re thinking about starting a business, do you know enough about yourself ? What your strengths are? What you’re passionate about?

And if you have an idea for a business, is it something that you really believe in and do you believe you can make a success?

If you can answer yes to these then there is a good chance you can develop a successful business.”