Business Training Centre, Kilmacthomas

If you would like to start your own business in Waterford finding help and resources can sometimes be difficult. The following state agencies provide business support for people starting out in small business and provide the education, learning and training necessary to reach your full potential.

Start Your Own Business In Waterford

Business Training Centre, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford run a course titled Start Your Own Business, this course runs for 2 years and requires an attendance of 2 days per week. Your social welfare entitlements are unaffected while attending this course. Courses commence in September. Applications for first round interviews are accepted up to the middle of June.

This course in made possible under the V.T.O.S. – Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.

To be eligible for this course you must satisfy VTOS criteria but generally the following applies:

• You are 21 years of age or older
• You’ve been unemployed for at least 6 months (in receipt of Social Welfare or signing for credits)
• The 6 month on social welfare period does not apply to those who have received statutory redundancy

OR

• On D.P.M.A. (Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance) OR
  The spouse of a person unemployed for six months OR
  A lone parent

Download Application Form: Start Your Own Business (PDF)

Contact:

Frank McQuillan (VTOS Co-ordinator)
Business Training Centre
Union Road
Kilmacthomas
Co. Waterford

Telephone: 051 294680
Email: frankmcquillan@wd-vec.ie
More info: Start Your Own Business
 

Start Your Own Business In Waterford

Waterford County Enterprise Board

Waterford County Enterprise Board was established in 1993 to fill a need for economic development in the County Waterford area. It’s main objective is to provide supports to facilitate the establishment, development and growth of micro-enterprises in the County. The Board provides financial support in the form of capital and employment assistance. It also provides customised training to improve the entrepreneurial and management development ability of owner-managers of small businesses.

Waterford County Enterprise Board
Dungarvan Enterprise Centre,
Main Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland
Telephone:+353 (0)58 44811
Email: waterfordceb@cablesurf.com
Website: www.enterpriseboard.ie

Looking for some inspiration to start your own business in Waterford?

Here’s are some quotes from some famous entrepreneurs:

“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
- Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Enterprises

“The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.”
- Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese’s

“The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it.”
- Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies

“We were young, but we had good advice and good ideas and lots of enthusiasm.”
- Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation

“Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
-Norman Vincent Peale

“Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.”
- John Maxwell

This article is a guide on how to start your own business in Waterford.

The same steps will apply to any type of business you wish to create.

How To Create A Facebook Page For Your Business – Step 1

• In your web browser go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
  

Choose Which Type Of Page You Will Create ?

• Local business or place
• Company, organisation or institution
• Brand or product
• Artist, band or public figure
• Entertainment
• Cause or community

Fill in your business details (all fields must be completed before your can create a page) and “Agree” to Facebook Pages terms. With all details filled in click on the “Get Started” button.

The next window below (pop-up) will ask you to fill in the anti-spam text box. (copy the text letters in the image to the text box provided)

How To Create A Facebook Page For Your Business – Step 2

Creating a Facebook Account

• I am using the I do not have a Facebook account option.
• Enter your email address (you will be sent an email to this address to verify your account)

Create a Strong Password
As you create your password, remember the following:

• It should not contain your name.
• It should not contain a common dictionary word.
• It should contain one or more numbers.
• It should have both upper and lower case characters.
• It should be over 8 characters long.
• It must be different from your old passwords.

Please enter your own date of birth

Why is this required?
We require your date of birth because we need to ensure that you are old enough to legally maintain this account. This is for security reasons only. Your date of birth will not be displayed anywhere on this account.

• Check the box for the “I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.”

• Click on the “Sign up now!” button.

How To Create A Facebook Page For Your Business – Step 3

• The following info is displayed. Please login to your email account to access the confirmation link to verify your account

• Sample confirmation email you will receive. Click on the link to confirm your registration.

How To Create A Facebook Page For Your Business – Step 4

The Final Result – How To Create A Facebook Page For Your Business

Things To Do:

• Upload an image such as a logo or any image that represents your business
• Post a Status Update (message) this will inform your visitors of your latest news etc. it will appear on your Wall (default page for visitors)
• Add a “Like” box to your website (optional)
• Set up your mobile phone (optional)

Here’s a quick video no How To Create A Facebook Page For Your Business:

This is just a simple example of how to create a Facebook page for your business.

Google Pay Tribute To Les Paul

Google Pay Tribute To Les Paul

Google Pay Tribute To Les Paul

Les Paul was also known as the inventor of multitrack recording. His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many guitarists of the present day.He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s, and they sold millions of records. Slash from Guns N’ Roses would be a good example of the sound of the Gibson Les Paul guitar.

Apparantly if you use the Google Doodle in the U.S.A you can record and play-back your efforts. Google has used the power of HTML5 to create the guitar so you can play with your keyboard (using the letter keys) or just use your mouse. I have tried using it on my iPad but cannot get sound from it.

Twitter Mentions Of Google Pay Tribute To Les Paul:

@dannybloomfield‎  wow that is so cool RT Whoa, this Les Paul tribute is one of the coolest Google Doodle things ever. Very interactive!

@adamhand‎ playable google logo with recorder in memory of les paul. awesome… a great honour the way Google Pay Tribute To Les Paul.

Stabilized & Contrast Adjusted with YouTube Editor

Unstabilized No Contrast Adjusted

A View Of The YouTube Video Editor

I called customer support and explained the problem and was informed that if I call a contact that appears as a Vodafone 087 user but on another network eg. O2, Meteor, 3network etc. I would here a short “Beep” just before the connection was made, basically to let me know I will be charged for the call. Interesting that this little trick is not publicly known nor is it available on their website. Make’s me wonder how many other people on this pay plan are getting screwed for perceived free 087 to 087 network calls…

The support guy did actually list 6 of my contacts who were on different networks but still holding their 087 numbers but if I hadn’t asked I would never have known. To finish up with I asked support if I could access this information on the Vodafone website and was told “NO”

Feel free to download the ZIP here – black, blue and red versions in JPEG and PNG formats.

Best of luck to all at the Irish Blog Awards 2010