The Start-Up Studio - Free Business Support for Lichfield Founders
A fully funded programme of workshops, mentoring, and ongoing support for anyone starting a business in Lichfield and the surrounding area.
The Start-Up Studio is delivered by Clare Harford on behalf of Staffordshire County Council. Join a free monthly workshop, access individual mentoring, and connect with a community of founders - all at no cost, all built around the practical realities of starting a business.
Thinking about starting - but not sure where to begin?
If any of these feel familiar, you're not alone - and not knowing where to start is completely normal.
You have an idea but you're not sure if it's actually viable - or how to find out
You don't know where to officially start - registration, tax, insurance, all of it feels overwhelming
You're worried about getting the money side wrong before you've even begun
You've been thinking about it for months but haven't taken the first step
You want to do it properly - but you're not sure what properly even looks like yet
None of this means you're not ready. It means you haven't had the right support yet. That's exactly what The Start-Up Studio is here for.
You know exactly what your business is, who it's for, and how to make it work
You understand your numbers - what it costs to start, what you need to earn, and how to price it
You have a 90-day action plan you built yourself, with support, in the room
You know how to find your first customers - and you have a plan to reach them
You leave knowing what to do next - not just inspired, but actually ready to act
Every participant leaves with a personalised plan - not just notes from a workshop.
What you leave with after the programme
What the programme covers
Every workshop follows the same five-part structure - designed to take you from idea to action plan in a single session.
Get clear on what your business actually is - the right structure, what registration involves, and what you need to be legally protected from day one.
Understand your numbers - what it costs to start, what you need to earn, and how to price your product or service so the business actually works.
Define exactly what you're offering, who it's for, and how to deliver it consistently - so your offer is clear to you and to potential customers.
Identify your ideal customers, understand how to reach them, and build a simple, realistic marketing approach for where you are right now.
Pull everything together into a personalised action plan you complete in the room - practical, structured, and yours to take away and act on.
Join early-stage founders and entrepreneurs, build your network, and take the next step with support.
Book your Free PlaceIs this right for you?
This is for you if:
This probably isn't for you if:
Everything included. All free.
Start with the workshop. Use mentoring for individual questions. Stay connected through Business Club. Fully funded by Staffordshire County Council - no cost to eligible participants.
Monthly Workshop
The core of the programme. A free, practical session held regularly in Lichfield, facilitated by Clare Harford. Covers all five programme sections and ends with your completed 90-day plan.
FreeBook your Free Place
1-to-1 Mentoring
For individual questions and focused support. Book a free 30-minute drop-in on workshop day, or a follow-up session within four weeks of attending. Tailored to your specific situation.
FreeFind out more
Business Club
Stay connected between workshops. Clare Harford's weekly live accountability session is free for all programme participants - peer support, live Q&A, and community with founders across the programme.
Free for participantsFind out moreQuestions about eligibility?
Get in touch →How to get the most from the programme
The Start-Up Studio is designed to be used consistently. The founders who make the most progress aren't the ones who do the most in a single session - they're the ones who keep showing up.
Start here. Every workshop is a complete, standalone session - you don't need to have attended before. Turn up, work through the content, and leave with your 90-day plan in hand.
Got a specific question or challenge? Book a free 30-minute drop-in on workshop day or a follow-up session within four weeks. Individual support, focused entirely on your situation.
Between workshops, Business Club keeps you moving. A weekly live session with Clare Harford and fellow founders - peer accountability, live Q&A, and the support that keeps you consistent.
Small consistent actions over time are what build sustainable businesses. Every workshop, every 1-to-1, every Business Club session compounds. Keep showing up.
From the people who've been in the room
The impact Clare has made for business owners - in their own words.
"No fluff, just real accountability. It's transformed how I run my business."
Lajina Leal
Lajina Masala
"It's helped me clear my head, focus, and grow - not just in business but as a leader."
Phil Leigh
Leigh Accountancy
"The supportive push I didn't know I needed."
Cathy Francis
Stratford Family Mediation
"The group gave me the confidence to grow my business and balance it all."
Oleander Mudvidzwa
Opal Cleaning Services
"No fluff, just real accountability. It's transformed how I run my business."
Lajina Leal
Lajina Masala
"It's helped me clear my head, focus, and grow - not just in business but as a leader."
Phil Leigh
Leigh Accountancy
"The supportive push I didn't know I needed."
Cathy Francis
Stratford Family Mediation
"The group gave me the confidence to grow my business and balance it all."
Oleander Mudvidzwa
Opal Cleaning Services
"No fluff, just real accountability. It's transformed how I run my business."
Lajina Leal
Lajina Masala
"It's helped me clear my head, focus, and grow - not just in business but as a leader."
Phil Leigh
Leigh Accountancy
"The supportive push I didn't know I needed."
Cathy Francis
Stratford Family Mediation
"The group gave me the confidence to grow my business and balance it all."
Oleander Mudvidzwa
Opal Cleaning Services
Free resources for start-ups
Practical guides, plain-English advice, and honest takes on what it actually takes to start a business - all free, no email required.
Competitor Research for New UK Founders: A Practical Guide
Learn how to identify your real competitors, spot market gaps, and make confident pricing and positioning decisions with this structured guide.
How to Price Your Services as a UK Founder
Stop undercharging. This practical guide walks UK service founders through cost-plus, value-based, and market-rate pricing - with a formula you can use today.
How Much Does SEO Cost for a Small Business in the UK?
UK SEO pricing ranges from a few hundred to several thousand pounds a month. Here is what different budgets actually buy you - and what might fit your goals.
Starting a business? You don't have to do it alone.
The Start-Up Studio is here for anyone in Lichfield and the surrounding area who's thinking about starting a business - or who has recently started trading. Free workshops, free mentoring, and a free community, all backed by Staffordshire County Council. If you have a question or you're ready to join, get in touch below.
— Clare Harford, Lead Facilitator
Get in touch
Tell us a little about you and we'll come back to you.
