Launchpad Southend

In Person: Master Your Finances
2026-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Patch Chelmsford, Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6QR
Finance made simple for Essex SMEs – boost profitability with practical tools, automation and expert support.

Running your own business means wearing a lot of hats, but finance doesn’t have to be the one that keeps you up at night!
Join us in Chelmsford for a practical workshop designed specifically for SME owners who want to take control of their finances, improve profitability and make smarter decisions with confidence.
This interactive session takes a two-part approach:
🔹 Part 1: Finance Fundamentals Made Simple
Tony Brown, has over 30 years experience in finance and will be breaking down the essentials every business owner needs to understand. He will share how to stay on top of your finances through things like forecasting and cash flow management.
🔹 Part 2: Smarter Finance with Automation
Kelsey Brown, founder of the first in-person AI automation school, will delve into how modern tools and automation can save you time, reduce errors and give you better financial visibility. We’ll show you practical ways to streamline your processes and free up time to focus on growing your business.
This isn’t theory, you’ll walk away with practical advice you can apply immediately to your business.
Delivered in partnership with Metro Bank and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), this workshop also gives you access to a wider support network.
After the session, stay for informal networking, where you can:

Ask those burning finance questions
Connect with fellow SME owners
Learn about the support, tools and resources available to help your business thrive

Whether you’re just getting to grips with your numbers or looking to modernise your financial processes, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.
Spaces are limited so reserve your place today.
Parking:
The nearest car parks for Patch can be found on Parkopedia here. Please allow enough time to park and walk across to the venue.

Online: Master Your Finances
2026-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Finance made simple for Essex SMEs – boost profitability with practical tools, automation and expert support.

Running your own business means wearing a lot of hats, but finance doesn’t have to be the one that keeps you up at night!
Join us in Chelmsford for a practical workshop designed specifically for SME owners who want to take control of their finances, improve profitability and make smarter decisions with confidence.
This interactive session takes a two-part approach:
🔹 Part 1: Finance Fundamentals Made Simple
Tony Brown, has over 30 years experience in finance and will be breaking down the essentials every business owner needs to understand. He will share how to stay on top of your finances through things like forecasting and cash flow management.
🔹 Part 2: Smarter Finance with Automation
Kelsey Brown, founder of the first in-person AI automation school, will delve into how modern tools and automation can save you time, reduce errors and give you better financial visibility. We’ll show you practical ways to streamline your processes and free up time to focus on growing your business.
This isn’t theory, you’ll walk away with practical advice you can apply immediately to your business.
Delivered in partnership with Metro Bank and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), this workshop also gives you access to a wider support network.
After the session, stay for informal networking, where you can:

Ask those burning finance questions
Connect with fellow SME owners
Learn about the support, tools and resources available to help your business thrive

Whether you’re just getting to grips with your numbers or looking to modernise your financial processes, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward.
Spaces are limited so reserve your place today.

Pricing for Profit (Without Losing Customers)
2026-06-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: your pricing isn’t just a number. It’s a signal. It tells customers what to think about you before they’ve even tried you. Join Small Business Britain, Lloyds Bank Academy and Catherine Erdly for Pricing for Profit (Without Losing Customers) – a session that digs into the psychology and practicality of pricing for small businesses. Because the goal isn’t just to charge more. It’s to charge right – in a way that builds trust, communicates value, and quietly makes your business more attractive, not less.
You will learn:
– How to price confidently and profitably
– Ways to communicate value to customers
– Common pricing mistakes to avoid
About Catherine: Small Business Britain are really excited to be partnering with the Lloyds Bank Academy on this comprehensive programme of webinars focused on offering support & expertise to small businesses during these difficult times.
These workshops range from financial management, branding for business growth, productivity hacks & stress management. The Lloyds Bank Academy is a free learning resource helping to upskill businesses on a variety of topics. From using social media to attract customers to staying safe from fraud, these lessons can help improve your business – and they’re completely free!

What to do When Cash Gets Tight
2026-06-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
When cash gets tight, most small business owners do one of two things: panic or ignore it. Neither helps. Join Small Business Britain, Lloyds Bank Academy and Claire Rulton for What to Do When Cash Gets Tight – a practical, no-nonsense session on one of the most stressful realities of running a small business. Cash flow is not just a finance issue. It affects confidence, decision-making and day-to-day operations. The good news is that with the right actions, taken in the right order, you can steady the ship more quickly than you might think. Come away with a clearer head, practical ideas and a plan you can put into action straight away.
You will learn:
– How to manage cash flow during challenging periods
– Practical ways to reduce financial pressure
– Steps to build greater business resilience
About Claire Claire Rulton is Director of Addison Accounts & Training Ltd and works closely with small business owners to help them understand their finances, improve cash flow and build stronger businesses. Known for her practical, no-nonsense approach, Claire makes financial information feel accessible and useful, giving business owners the confidence to take control of their numbers and plan ahead. Small Business Britain are really excited to be partnering with the Lloyds Bank Academy on this comprehensive programme of webinars focused on offering support & expertise to small businesses during these difficult times.
These workshops range from financial management, branding for business growth, productivity hacks & stress management. The Lloyds Bank Academy is a free learning resource helping to upskill businesses on a variety of topics. From using social media to attract customers to staying safe from fraud, these lessons can help improve your business – and they’re completely free!

Using Canva to Create Content
2026-06-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Learn how to design eye-catching graphics that elevate your brand and engage your audience without needing a design degree or expensive software, with this beginners guide to using Canva!
Struggling to create professional-looking visuals for your business? Many small business owners find themselves overwhelmed by design tools or rely on costly designers for every project. Introducing Canva – your key to success (and less stress!)
In this workshop we’ll be looking at the potential for our business by using Canva – and you’ll learn how to navigate the platform, design with purpose and ease, and maintain brand consistency to captivate your customers and build marketing materials that help you to reach your business goals. By the end, you’ll have the confidence and skills to produce high-quality visuals that resonate with your audience, put your best foot forward, and unlock new possibilities for your marketing!
What You’ll Learn:

Getting Started with Canva: Understand how to sign up, set up your account, and navigate the platform’s interface.

Creating a Brand Kit: Learn how to establish a cohesive brand identity by setting up your brand kit, including logos, colours, and fonts.

Designing Graphics: Discover how to create various graphics, from social media posts to posters, using Canva’s templates and tools.

Resizing Designs: Master the art of resizing your designs to fit different platforms and purposes, ensuring consistency across all your materials.

Practical Application: Participate in a live session where you’ll see how easy it is to create a graphic for a business campaign, and get the guidance from an expert on how to use the platform for your own business.

Mastering Your Website Performance
2026-06-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Website Performance is a practical webinar focused on how to assess, diagnose, and improve how well a website performs — from both a technical and SEO perspective.

Join us and our members dotcraft Ltd for this informative session, where they’ll walk you through;

proven ways to surface performance issues (speed, Core Web Vitals, crawlability, indexing, and on-page efficiency)
share a clear framework for prioritising fixes
highlight quick wins that can deliver immediate impact.

You’ll leave with top tips, actionable next steps, and a checklist of improvements to boost user experience, search visibility, and conversions.
Date: Thursday 25 June 10.00am – 11.00am
Virtual: Zoom Platform
Cost to attend: Free for Members and Non-Members £25.00 + VAT

Employment Rights Act In-Depth Implementation Workshop
2026-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Birketts Law LLP, Brierly Place, New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0AP
From Legislation to Implementation
The upcoming changes to the Employment Rights Act will significantly reshape employer obligations and increase organisational risk.
Once you understand what is changing, the next question becomes practical:
What do we need to do, and when?
Join us, alongside leading employment law specialists from Birketts LLP, for an in-depth, action-focused workshop designed to help businesses move from awareness to implementation.
This interactive session will go beyond overview and focus on the practical steps required to protect your business and ensure compliance.
What This Workshop Will Cover:
• Identifying your highest areas of risk under the new framework
• Reviewing contracts, policies and probationary processes
• Strengthening dismissal and disciplinary procedures
• Managing changes to terms and conditions lawfully
• Preparing for increased tribunal exposure
• Updating sick pay, zero-hours and parental policies
• Ensuring compliance with working time and holiday record-keeping
• Implementing effective sexual harassment prevention measures
Why Attend?
These reforms reduce flexibility and significantly increase employer exposure.
This workshop is designed to help you:
• Translate legal change into practical action
• Prioritise immediate steps and longer-term adjustments
• Reduce the risk of costly tribunal claims
• Strengthen governance and documentation
• Protect operational flexibility where possible
You will leave with greater clarity, practical guidance and a structured plan to prepare your business.
Date: Thursday 9 July 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: Birketts LLP. Brierly Place, New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0AP
Cost to attend: Free for Members and Non-Members £45.00 + VAT
Businesses that act decisively will be best placed to manage risk, maintain control and operate confidently under the new regime.
Secure your place and take the next step from understanding to implementation.

Business Start-Up Course
2026-07-13 10:00 - 2026-07-14 15:00 | Online
Free 2-day course! Turn your idea into reality with tools, knowledge & confidence. Perfect for aspiring & early-stage entrepreneurs.

Got a business idea you’re ready to explore, or a new business you want to grow with more confidence? 🚀
This free 2-day online course from Ambitious Essex is designed specifically for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners who want practical support, expert guidance, and a chance to connect with others on a similar journey.
Led by an experienced business professional, the course will help you turn your ideas into something more structured, sustainable and ready for growth.
Across the two days, you’ll learn how to:
✅ Develop and test your business ideas
✅ Understand your customers and target market
✅ Build a practical and realistic business plan
✅ Explore finance and funding opportunities
✅ Create strong foundations for long-term success
But this isn’t just about learning theory.
There’ll be plenty of opportunities to network, share ideas, and work collaboratively with other people who are at a similar stage in their business journey. Whether you’re looking for feedback, motivation, new connections or simply reassurance that others are figuring it out too, this course is designed to be supportive, interactive and genuinely useful.
Perfect if you’re:
✨ Thinking about starting a business
✨ Recently self-employed or newly launched
✨ Looking for more structure, clarity, and confidence in your next steps
