Discover how to make your start-up a success at your local library

• Start-up Day returns to the British Library Business & IP Centre national network next Tuesday (19 November), full of inspiring talks and practical sessions
• BIPC Norfolk, based at the Millennium Library, will be hosting a free afternoon of talks, networking and a live screening from the British Library's Inspiring Entrepreneurs event featuring TV Dragon Sara Davies MBE. Go to more details about the Start-Up Day 2024 afternoon.
• This event forms part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, celebrated at BIPCs in 19 city libraries across England 

Starting a business can offer people both personal fulfilment and financial rewards, but with around one in five businesses failing in their first year in the UK, support and skill-sharing for prospective founders has never been more vital.  

On Tuesday 19 November, the British Library's Business & IP Centres (BIPC) at libraries across the country, including Norfolk, will be taking part in Start-up Day, with activities, networking sessions and streamed talks. 

Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships at Norfolk County Council, said: "Libraries are accessible, inclusive spaces with a mission to connect people with information. By basing Business & IP Centres in libraries, we can open up the path to entrepreneurship for anyone with a business idea, regardless of their background. 

"Start-up Day is an annual highlight in the BIPC calendar and gives people the chance to find out more about starting a business in a trusted, welcoming environment." 

At the Millennium Library in Norwich, the afternoon will start with an introduction to BIPC Norfolk and how the centre can offer help with getting your business off the ground, as well as ongoing support for small businesses. Guest Speaker Carol Robinson, founder of jewellery business One Of A Kind Club, will talk about her decision to change her career completely and set up her own business. 

Tony Southgate, founder of marketing agency Ginger Pickle, will then explain the psychology behind purchasing to help you understand how get more leads or sales for your business. 

At 3pm, there will be time for networking with refreshments and the chance to meet some of the BIPC's partners - including Birketts, Federation of Small Businesses, FUSE Norwich, Larking Gowen and MENTA Business - and find out how they can support your business. 

After networking, Arthur Warring from Pitch Gym will lead an interactive session giving tips for creating an effective pitch you can easily adapt to pitch to anyone you want to work with, or for, your business. 

The day culminates with a live screening of the British Library's Inspiring Entrepreneurs event with renowned business mogul and TV Dragon, Sara Davies MBE, Founder and Creative Director of Crafter's Companion. Sara founded her business from her university bedroom and forged her way through the world of business. 

Isabel Oswell BEM, Director of Business Audiences at the British Library, said: 'We are thrilled to be hosting Start-up Day at Business & IP Centres at libraries across the country, as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Events at BIPCs will offer an amazing opportunity for entrepreneurs at different stages of developing their business to meet other founders and join events and workshops, leaving attendees feeling inspired to launch or develop their business idea.' 

You are welcome to attend for the whole afternoon at the Millennium Library or come along to the sessions that most interest you. 

Find out more about BIPC Norfolk's Start-up Day event and the other events they run for start-ups and small business at bipcnorfolk.eventbrite.com.