Are you one of the many who ask 'Why is no one backing my start up business?'

Perhaps the one biggest thing which many businesses say to themselves time and time again in total and utter disbelief is “Why is no one backing my start-up business” and the cruel reality is because no one really cares, they’ve heard it all before.

Perhaps the above is too much of a harsh statement but the sentiment is exactly the same – no one cares!

In high street finance when we say no one really cares, perhaps some do but their hands are tied, but a majority of the time it’s because they’re not prepared to take a risk – and why should they as many who go this route aren’t even prepared to fund or part-fund themselves?

Often small business startups will say that they think and know that their business will be a roaring success, the ‘think’ and ‘know’ part is actually two separate things and what they’re really saying is that they think it will be a success.

Unless you’re in the know unless you’ve done your research and unless you’re really lucky, no one knows if, when or how their business will be a roaring success.

Of course for new business start-ups as well as for existing businesses there are ways for them to have access to finance in the West Midlands region but unfortunately not many know about how or where to go to be able to access the finance.

In regards to network meetings and collaborations when we say no one really cares a majority don’t, don’t be fooled by the endless meetings, the one to one’s - all that may be going on there is the gleaning of your knowledge and experience.

A business is a business for one reason which is to provide products and services which may result in the creation of jobs but the overlying reason and whole point of a business is to survive and make money.

All businesses should adopt this attitude but alas many forget or are not hardened to the fact that in business you only should rely on yourselves, you don’t have to be liked although it may help, you don’t need masses of people around you although this may help – we know this sounds too easy and it's often hard but all you just need is the belief that your good at what you do and that your business will be a success.

As already mentioned perhaps a harsh statement and everything and everyone is being lumped in the same pot, but the fact is that 90-95% of what’s in the pot relates to what’s being said.

We like any small business have trials and tribulations, and likes others we have heard the rumour mill and underlining currents of people saying that “have you seen what they’re doing now” “that will never work” “why don’t you get a proper job” “what a joke”.

All this can go towards knocking you down, taking the wind out of your sails so much so that you simply give up. Or it can have the reverse effect of giving you strength, giving you, even more, get up and go to proves others wrong…..a word of warning advice on this one is to forget about them and only prove what you need to prove and to who you need to prove it to which is you…! You cannot afford and haven’t got time to get sidetracked going down pointless and needless avenues for personal gratification.

If people, businesses and banks don’t want to help forget them and move on…….! There’s plenty more fish in the sea, it all boils down to where you cast your nets…!

We realise that local businesses need business advice in the West Midlands, perhaps more so now with the imminent disbandment of Business Link in November 2011. No one at this point knows what going to take its place, but one thing is for sure whatever it is it will be on a national basis and not on a local basis like it is presently.

A point to remember, business advice is exactly what it is, don’t think that it will suddenly make your business work, whilst it might initially the common denominator in it working - is you, it’s you who has to put the effort in, it’s you who has to invest time and money and it’s you who has to choose or not as the case to listen to what you’ve been told.

Also being able to gain access to finance in the West Midlands when achieved may not be the answer to your prayers as with business advice it all comes down to and relies on you.

Connect to yourself before connecting to others, once you understand and believe in what you’re about then it should be easy for others to do the same.