Awkward Moment-The business adviser

I went to see a business adviser!!

I know, great right!? Not really. First my appointment was in Islington and I live all the way in South London and I took the overground which took an hour. Then when I got out the station it was 3:52pm I had less than 10 mins to make it to my appointment on time and to my surprise adviser’s office was more than 10 mins away. So I started jogging with my heavy Wellington boots, rain jacket and brolly.

This is the scene in the movie where you think “she’s going to trip!!!!” and No! Not yet. At least not physically.

So I get to the advisers office, my appointment was 4pm it is now 4 mins past four. It’s already starting to feel slightly awkward as it would if you were late. The receptionist is very pleasant, I sign-in and she directs me to the lift and says” 3rd floor and wait for your adviser”

Pre-meeting – on the train

I was a little excited and thought I’ put a lot of questions together for him to answer. Even a little hand-written presentation of my business venture. I had a lot of things to say I.e.

• Will I get a business mentor?

• How can I raise money to get new equipment?

• I need someone to assist me with my blog design

• I’d like to have a film-crew

• How can I get someone to help me proofread

• I just need support please help me “MR Business adviser”

Well there’s more but I don’t want to bore you with the details.

By the lift -

Third floor, I look out and nobody!? No adviser! So I wait a few second before I start wondering around like a curious 5-year-old in a sweet factory. Then I hear;

” Are you here to see the adviser?

Yes!

Please follow me”

So I follow this tall long-legged, blonde lady, who walks like she’s on the catwalk. I was very close to asking her if she was actually.  When we get to the adviser’s office she asks me to sign in again and gives me a badge, then wait some more. The Business-adviser comes in shakes my hand, then escorts me into another room.

Okay guys this is my moment and I’m ready to blow him away! But Before I start, he has to tell me all the legalities and the things he can do for me and then he starts -

“Here at Business support we help start-up business who have already been registered or been running for a while. So please tell me about yourself.”

So you don’t help Pre-start then!?”

“No but we have a program called DWP that we can put you on to help you. But since you’ve come from all the way from South London let me make your journey worthwhile by answering some of your questions”

Awkward silence………….

“Uhm I don’t know if you might be able to help me as I  am in the early stages of my business but I will tell you my background.” So I tell him all about me with this disappointing feeling in my stomach that he wont help me.

Awkward Mathy time to go!!

Then he asks me about my research. How much had been done and being a business adviser he talks me through all the potential no,nos, and by this time I feel so awkward I feel I must have a banner on my face spelling those letters. It almost felt like my execution.

When I left to, keep my spirit up I had to think; “what information did I hear today that might be useful to me”

• Contact Arts Council for funding

• Try advertising for volunteers through gumtree

• Research other storytelling companies thoroughly

It’s not the business adviser’s fault if they can’t help pre-starts like me. I’m not the right candidate for them that’s all. The good news is I’m seeing another Business adviser who’s an existing friend and old colleague this experience should be more encouraging. So wish me the best.

See you later!!