Alpana Delaney, entrepreneur and owner of ‘Bollywood on the Isle’, has been shortlisted for the Young Achiever’ category of the Isle of Man Newspapers Award for Excellence. At the age of 24 Alpana decided to start her own business. Since launching in March 2010 and joining the Small Business Start Up Scheme, her business has gone from strength to strength. ‘Bollywood on the Isle’ has helped a variety of charities raise funds in excess of ?10,000 and has also provided dance workshops for school children. Alpana has supplied services to various private companies and contributed to the Commonwealth Games send off celebrations. In total, ‘Bollywood on the Isle’ has provided the “Bollywood Experience” to over 1,000 people! Alpana had a lot to say about her experience of the Small Business Start Up Scheme: ‘I think the scheme is an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneur to get a good understanding of the basics of running a business. The professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge of my business advisor, Andrew Simpson, who was provided to me through the scheme, has helped me make the business successful and run it smoothly. The scheme overall has given invaluable support to my business.’ The story doesn’t end there, another Small Business Start Up Scheme client, Victoria Kissack, has also achieved success! Victoria identified a large gap in the children’s entertainment market on the Island and began her business ‘Imagination Station’ to fill this gap and serve as a creative outlet for her artistic talents. On completing the Small Business Start Up Scheme in April this year, Victoria went on to be recommended for the Best Business Guide 2012 and a finalist in the Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards - North West and Isle of Man Region - Young Achiever award. Victoria is delighted to be nominated for the Best Business Guide as it comes as a direct result of clients, who have seen Imagination Station at public, private and corporate events, making the effort to recommend the business. Victoria also lists completing the Small Business Start Up Scheme as one of her main achievements. She said: ‘Completing the Small Business Start Up Scheme, being awarded a grant and continued advisory support was a key achievement for me. The scheme has been an invaluable source of information and support as well as providing opportunities to network with other small business owners, a great tool in helping to promote Imagination Station. ‘I feel that the small business start up scheme has given me the confidence to grow my business and networking links, as well as helping me to be realistic about future goals and projects. I’m now looking forward to the Awards Ceremony for the Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards, I already feel like a winner just being a finalist.’ John Shimmin MHK, Minister for the Department of Economic Development, said: ‘I would like to congratulate Alpana and Victoria on their success and thank them for their valuable contribution to the Isle of Man’s economy. The Small Business Start Up Scheme is a superb initiative and is an effective way of assisting small businesses to achieve growth. I would recommend anyone wishing to set up a business to check if they qualify for the scheme.’ ‘Alex Downie OBE, MLC, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development, said: ‘Our Government is committed to supporting growing businesses and we are pleased to be able to provide support to help them to achieve their ambitions. ‘I too would like to congratulate Alpana and Victoria and all those involved in making the Small Business Scheme a great success.’ Bollywood on the Isle can be found at www.bollywoodisle.com and information on Imagination Station on the website www.imagination-station.co.uk or Facebook page www.facebook.com/ImaginationStationbyTorie. Information on the Small Business Start Up Scheme can be found online at www.gov.im/ded/training/SBSU or sbsus@gov.im or www.facebook.com/SBSUS alternatively you can contact the scheme administrator on 682396. Ends