Delivered by MADS in partnership with The Business Blueprint
Supporting Local Enterprise
Start Up & Grow
We partner with councils to deliver accessible, practical business training for residents — helping people in your community gain the confidence, skills, and tools to start and grow their own businesses.
Our programmes are designed to support individuals at every stage — whether they’re exploring an idea, starting out, or ready to grow an existing business.
Workshops for Councils
Councils can choose the full programme or individual sessions that best suit their residents’ needs. Each topic can be delivered as a full-day workshop or shorter, modular sessions, either in person or online.
-
Business Foundations
Having a professional online presence starts with the basics. In this workshop, residents will learn how to:
• Choose and purchase a domain name that fits
• Set up a professional business email address linked to their domain
• Understand different business structures
• Use these tools to build trust and credibility with customers
• Ceate a simple, practical business plan
👉 Participants leave with clarity, confidence, and a structured action plan to begin their self-employment journey.. -
Branding
Branding is more than a logo — it’s how a business builds trust and recognition. This workshop helps residents:
• Define their values and unique selling points
• Create a consistent look and feel across their marketing
• Learn the basics of design using Canva, a free and easy-to-use tool
• Access ready-made templates for social media posts, business cards, and flyers that they can customise instantly
👉 Participants finish with both the skills to design branded content and the resources to start promoting their business straight away. -
Social Media
Practical training tailored to the platforms that matter most for local businesses. We focus on:
• Choosing the right platforms (TikTok/Instagram for creative businesses, LinkedIn/Facebook for services and community-based businesses)
• Creating engaging content that attracts the right customers
• Understanding analytics and what “success” looks like
• Time-saving tips for scheduling and managing content
👉 Participants leave knowing how to use social media strategically instead of wasting time posting without results. -
Websites & Portfolios
Having an online presence is no longer optional. This workshop shows residents:
• How to build a simple, professional website or portfolio
• Affordable tools and platforms (no coding required)
• What to include to attract enquiries and sales
• Tips for making websites mobile-friendly and easy to navigate👉 Participants walk away with the confidence to create or improve a site that works as a “shop window” for their business.
-
Business Growth
For residents already trading, this workshop supports them in moving from survival to sustainability. We focus on:
• How to increase revenue without burning out
• Exploring new sales channels and opportunities to increase revenue
• Hiring, outsourcing, and scaling strategies
• Building systems that make businesses more efficient👉 Participants leave with a roadmap for sustainable growth and job creation in the local community.
-
How to Use AI
AI is shaping the future of business — and small businesses can benefit too. This workshop covers:
• Using AI for research, admin, and marketing content
• Designing graphics and social posts with AI-powered tools
• How AI can save time and reduce costs for your business
• The importance of ethical use and human creativity👉 Participants gain future-ready digital skills that make them more competitive in the market.
Why Councils Partner With Us
Local councils play a vital role in encouraging enterprise and community growth. By partnering with MADS and The Business Blueprint, councils can offer residents professional, accessible business training that creates real, measurable impact.
Our workshops help residents turn ideas into income, boosting local enterprise and employment by building confidence and capability.
Training is open to all experience levels, and delivery is flexible — we can host sessions in person, online, or blended, as one-off events or full programmes tailored to your local goals.
Every participant receives ongoing support through The Business Blueprint community, ensuring the learning continues well beyond the workshops.
This programme also supports wider community and employment initiatives, working alongside local job centres, housing associations, and enterprise partners to strengthen local economies and create opportunity.
Supporting Local Enterprise & Economic Growth
Strong local economies are built on opportunity — and enterprise is at the heart of that. When residents have the skills and confidence to start or grow a business, they create jobs, keep money circulating locally, and strengthen community resilience.
By investing in enterprise and business training, councils can empower residents to build their own opportunities rather than rely solely on employment markets. It’s a practical way to encourage inclusive growth, reduce economic inequality, and promote self-sufficiency within communities.
Our workshops directly support local economic development strategies by turning ambition into action — helping residents gain the practical knowledge, tools, and mentoring they need to make their businesses thrive.
Every participant will receive
-
In-person or online training. Suited to your communities needs
-
Practical guidelines and worksheets to apply learning step by step
-
Access to The Business Blueprint platform & community
-
1 hour of free 1:1 mentoring with Danielle, to discuss any business goals/concerns
Your Coach
Meet your
course provider
This programme is delivered by Danielle Madden.
The founder of The Business Blueprint, MADS and WebsBYMads
I created The Business Blueprint because I wanted to see freelancers, small business owners, and creatives grow with confidence, not just start, but actually build something sustainable. The Blueprint brings together training, resources, and community support so learning continues long after the workshops end.
Alongside this, I run MADS and WebsbyMADS — my marketing, social media, and web design companies. Working directly with businesses has given me first-hand experience of what it really takes to build visibility, attract clients, and grow in today’s fast-moving digital world.
I built these programmes because I believe people achieve more when they have the right support behind them. And with my background, participants are learning from someone who has done it — and is still doing it.
Together, The Business Blueprint and MADS combine practical coaching, marketing expertise, and a supportive community to make enterprise skills accessible to everyone.
The Business Blueprint community provides expert-led courses, mentoring, and resources.
MADS — helping businesses tell their stories, build their brands, and connect with their audiences.
A creative studio specialising in affordable, accessible websites for entrepreneurs and local businesses.
Interested in partnering with us?
We’ll tailor a programme to fit your community’s needs, budget, and goals — whether it’s one workshop or a complete start-up and growth pathway.
FAQs
-
Both! We can deliver sessions in person at your local venue or online via live interactive webinars — or even a blend of both. This flexibility means we can reach as many residents as possible, including those who prefer to learn from home.
-
Yes — the programme is completely bespoke to each council. You can pick and mix from the workshop topics to suit your community’s needs. Some councils choose a full business development pathway, while others start with one or two sessions to test engagement.
-
Each topic can be delivered as a full-day session for a deep dive, or as shorter, modular sessions that fit around your existing programmes or community events. We’ll work with you to design a schedule that’s realistic and engaging for your audience.
-
They’re designed for residents at all stages — from complete beginners with a business idea, to established local traders ready to grow. The content is practical, jargon-free, and tailored to the experience level of each group.
-
Pricing varies depending on the number of workshops, format, and participant numbers. All programmes are custom-quoted to fit your council’s goals and budget.