Going it alone in the business world can be a time-consuming, costly and daunting experience, but one local entrepreneur has proven that with the right support and advice, running your own business can be a financially viable and successful endeavour.

Matthew Smith, 37, arrived in Bristol in 1999 with ambition and the bare bones of a business plan.  Four years on, and with the help of the Bristol and Avon Enterprise Agency (BRAVE) and the Bristol Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF), Matthew is an established freelance photographer and runs his own business, Matthew Smith Photography.

"It has been a lot of hard work," said Matthew.  "I arrived in Bristol with the qualifications and experience, but not the business knowledge or funding to pursue self-employment.  After an extended period out of work, I was introduced to BEDF through the government's New Deal scheme, and was able to set about starting my own business."

The BEDF provided Matthew with £5,000 funding, which enabled him to set up his own company.

"Photography is an expensive business, and without the finances to invest in new photographic equipment I would never have been able to get started.  The BEDF was my only option as my age and financial situation excluded me from virtually every other funding route," commented Matthew.

"The BEDF introduced me to BRAVE, who helped me to write a business plan, and in addition to offering training in essential areas such as business taxation, employment law and new business law, encouraged me to apply for the New Entrepreneurial Scholarship, which I received in the autumn of 2002."

Matthew is now a national ambassador for the NES, and travels around the country with the Foundation encouraging others to set up new businesses, and offering support, guidance and training to those who already have.

Matthew concluded: "The BEDF and BRAVE gave me the opportunity to get my own business off the ground, and have been on hand over the past two years to offer me invaluable practical advice and support and help me move my business forward.  The service that they provided for me was fantastic - if it wasn't for the BEDF and BRAVE, Matthew Smith Photography wouldn't be here today."

Matthew Smith Photography specialises in reportage, portraiture, PR, design and music photography, and is based in St. Werburghs, Bristol.  For further information, please contact Matthew Smith on 07779 134984 or email matt@msp-uk.org.