Janine GriffithsEast Leeds entrepreneurs that need a little extra help in getting their business off the ground have been offered a unique opportunity to turn their ideas into reality.
Trust Leeds is hosting a free 12-week online programme called Be Your Own Boss (sometimes known as BYOB), designed specifically for budding entrepreneurs that are looking for a fresh start.
If like many people in East Leeds, self employment feels out of reach then this course can help break down those barriers.
Perhaps you have an idea but no clear plan. You might be juggling part time hours that do not stretch far enough. On the other hand, you might be unemployed or might simply need the confidence to believe that being successful in your chosen venture is possible. This course is built with those realities in mind.
No previous experience is required to join. A polished business plan is not expected. What matters is having an idea and the willingness to develop it.
Inside the 12 week programme
Sessions take place online every Wednesday for 2.5 hours, with an optional one hour check-in via Zoom. Each week blends straightforward business guidance with supportive group discussions, giving participants the chance to test ideas, ask questions and learn from others in a similar position. A practical workbook helps break everything down into manageable steps.
By the end of the programme, participants will have:
- A basic business plan tailored to their idea
- Membership of a supportive virtual Self Reliant Group
- Access to a monthly Coffee Club offering ongoing advice
- Connections with peer networks across Leeds and the wider UK
- Eligibility to apply for a small loan from Trust Leeds
Confidence and real world impact
But the impact goes beyond paperwork and planning. The programme focuses on building confidence and tackling self doubt, two of the biggest hurdles for anyone considering self employment after a period out of work or in low paid, insecure roles.
Kelly Walker, founder of Kelly’s Kitchen, completed the programme in September 2025 and credits it with helping her move forward with catering events and pop up stalls.
“It really helped me believe in myself more… and the fact that it’s free is incredible, because so many people don’t have access to opportunities like this,” she said.
Those who take part in Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) by Trust Leeds often find that the biggest shift is not just in their business idea, but in how they see themselves. For people who have been out of work, stuck in low paid roles or unsure where to start, rebuilding confidence can be just as important as learning about pricing or marketing. The programme creates space for that change to happen.
Liza Kellet, founder of Trust Leeds started the BYOB programme around six years ago and said that she designed the programme to help people increase their confidence and take the steps towards setting up their own enterprises.
She explained: “It’s about the small steps and having the confidence and courage and the courage to take those next steps. That’s what the value of Be Your Own Boss is – it helps people build the confidence, courage and knowledge they need to move towards self employment.”
As part of the programme, participants are encouraged to test ideas, talk through challenges and consider different ways of moving forward without feeling judged or rushed.
By the end of the 12 weeks, people leave with more than notes in a workbook. They have a clearer sense of whether their idea is viable, what steps need to come next and how to approach them. The aim is steady progress rather than grand promises.
Previous participants said that being in a group of people facing similar pressures can make a real difference and overcome isolation.
One participant in the BYOB Programme 9 said: “It doesn’t matter what generation you’re from; there is a loneliness epidemic. Having this small community we are fostering together is a wonderful thing.”
Another participant joined BYOB 2 said that the sessions helped to improve her mental health after suffering from back problems and undergoing multiple surgeries.
She added: “I had always dreamed of running my own business that would fit around my family and my health needs, and the Glitter Fairies gave me a chance to try something new. I learned so much.
“For the first time in a long time, I felt like more than just a woman with a bad back. I wasn’t useless. I was capable, creative, and building something I loved.
“I joined BYOB Cohort 2, and it was incredible. The sessions covered everything from bookkeeping and tax to social media and marketing. My business began to grow and so did my confidence.”
The optional weekly Coffee Club offers a simple but valuable space to check in, ask questions and stay accountable. For many, that ongoing connection helps maintain momentum during the early stages of trading.
Support does not stop when the course ends. Those who attend the course are added to the BYOB network in Leeds that connects them with likeminded entrepreneurs and provides ongoing support long after the support ends.
Trust Leeds also has a micro finance programme that offers small business loans to those that complete the programme.
For East Leeds residents who feel stuck between unstable work and uncertain prospects, Be Your Own Boss ultimately offers structured guidance, peer support and practical tools to test whether self employment could be a viable path.
Places are limited and booking is required.
If you are interested in taking the first step to running your own business, then you can join this supportive, practical programme today by clicking the link below.
Find out more and reserve your spot here:
Be Your Own Boss 11 on Eventbrite
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