Starting a business shouldn’t feel like walking into a maze. We sat down with Business Gateway at STEP in Stirling to unpack a simpler path: begin with one advisor who learns your goals, pinpoints what’s next, and connects you to the exact support you need. From the earliest spark of an idea to the first hires and beyond, we talk through how hands-on guidance, practical workshops, and targeted funding can turn momentum into measurable growth.

You’ll hear how the advisor model creates continuity, saving founders weeks by directing them to the right expert on day one. We dig into Meet the Expert sessions for fast answers on accounting, HR, branding, IT, and legal questions, plus funded and subsidised projects through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that bring specialists into your business to solve real problems. When a company is ready to scale, we explore how warm introductions to Scottish Enterprise open doors to innovation support and capital grants, with account managers focused on growth and productivity.

Because this is Stirling, the support is rooted in the local economy. We discuss sector-themed programmes for tourism and hospitality, community breakfasts that spark partnerships, and collaboration with the BID, Chambers, CodeBase, Techscaler, Supplier Development Programme, and Scottish EDGE. The thread running through it all is objectivity and encouragement: no gatekeeping, no jargon, just clear steps and honest feedback that help you test ideas, refine plans, and execute with confidence.

If you’re ready to move from thinking to doing, tap into your local network. Subscribe for more founder stories and practical playbooks, share this with someone who needs a nudge to start, and leave a review with the one question you want us to tackle next.

Stirling Business Podcast, Studio King Street, BID, CodeBase, Forthvalley Chamber of Commerce, ApartHotel, Giving Back Program, 45 King Street, Lumo Trains.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Studio-King-Street/61581099163683/

Email: enquiries@studiokingstreet.com

Website: https://studiokingstreet.com/

Host: Paul Murray - ApartHotel & Studio King Street

Producer: Iain Johnston - Johnston Media Podcasts

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