SME Advice Clinic 19th September 2006, 6.00 – 8.00

Minutes

The 2nd of our SME Advice Clinics has been another success! We have received positive feedback from everyone that we have spoken to about the Clinics and we have a larger number of additional SMEs who will be attending future Clinics. Lee Lucas introduced the College and the services that we offer and highlighted the work of LCBT as the ‘voice of the industry’. All of the SMEs who attended had previously engaged with LCBT through the Business Support Unit
Debra Robson Lawrence from Specialist Makeup Services was our first speaker. She has refined to perfection the art and skill of Semi-Permanent Make-up. Debra has carried out over 10,000 treatments spanning 10 years and has received accolades from the top of the beauty industry. From her Harley Street clinic, Debra and her team of highly skilled Aesthetic Beauty consultants offer the world's most advanced range of treatments. Debra discussed the development of the Semi-Permanent Make up Industry and how she has perfected the “FAME” technique. The pioneering FAME® technique has taken Semi-Permanent Make-up application to a new level whilst improving the image and setting new standards for the industry. It is interesting to note how the Industry has changed from quite an obvious and dated “tattoo” effect to a much more subtle technique which has incorporated a number of different procedures such as eyebrow simulation and areola reconstruction. The aim is now for a natural look. Debra also discussed the training opportunities that she offers at her Clinic. A number of the attendees were interested in training in this field.
Connie Sprague from Business Link was our second Speaker. She introduced the Services of Business Link and the help that they can provide the SMEs who attended tonight. Business Link for London are a small business support and advice service for London, providing free, impartial and comprehensive advice to businesses to help them start up and grow. They work with businesses to diagnose any issues and match their requirements with the best private or public sector solution in the marketplace, at both a local and pan-London level. Last year they helped over 90,000 businesses and entrepreneurs, while achieving a 90% customer satisfaction rating. Brochures were distributed to the attendees to provide them with more information about the services. Connie introduced Nadine and Elena from Business Link. They are account managers and offer one to one advice for SMEs. All attendees of the Clinic passed on their details to Nadine and Elena to arrange for Business Link to visit their Salons and go through a Business Health Check with them. This service is provided free of charge. 

All of the attendees provided very positive feedback for the event. They all expressed an interest in continuously engaging with the BSU and for us to keep them updated with any upcoming events.