Have you ever had an idea for a business but thought there were too many challenges and barriers to getting started? Whether it's access to funding or more importantly, access to good quality business advice and mentoring, Or maybe you've been in business for a year or two and you’re facing some headwinds- the economy is challenging, getting access to capital is harder than ever, and finding reliable sources of high-quality impartial advice is difficult. Or it could even be that you’re currently working for a company and think that you could do things a bit better than the way things are done, but it’s too big a leap to take. - you’ve got bills to pay and a family to support, and starting on your own without the finances or guidance - it just seems too risky. If so, this may be the conversation you’ve been waiting for, and I think you’ll want to get to know this week’s guest, Richard Bearman, managing director at the British Business Bank with a focus on start-ups and early-stage businesses. I must confess that although I was aware of the British Bank, I wasn't clear on the full range of services and support they offer to British entrepreneurs. - from start-up through scale-up and beyond, they provide a complete suite of services both directly and in partnership with other organisations. I really enjoyed my conversation with Richard, and in particular, some of the inspiring stories he shared about founders who have benefitted from the services provided by the bank and who’ve gone on to achieve remarkable things in business, regardless of the headwinds they’ve faced. What comes through from the conversion is that Richard really cares; he wants to help, he wants to make a difference and he wants to encourage entrepreneurship across the UK. I think Britain is a very entrepreneurial nation, and there are so many people with an idea bubbling inside of them that if only they could find a way to get started, it could change their lives. If that's you or someone you know, I encourage you to check out the positive things that the British Business Bank is doing, starting with the vast resources they provide free of charge on their website, and I've posted a link in the show note for you to take a look. Apparently, it was Mark Twain who said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” Sometimes we need a spark of inspiration, something to compel us to action. I really think you’ll enjoy this inspired conversation - ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr Richard Bearman. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bearman-48291118/ https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/our-people/richard-bearman/ https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl/episodes/player This podcast is produced by GR Media Sponsored by Capital Asset Management