Hampshire based accountants have launched an online membership for small businesses after spotting a gap in the market for professional advice that doesn’t break the bank.
Green Zebra Business Solutions Ltd is owned by husband-and-wife team Wayne and Cathy Vass who became increasingly frustrated that small businesses struggle to get fast, clear, one-to-one advice at an affordable price.
This compounded with the fact that over the last year there’s been a surge in online business coaches who are exploiting small businesses and charging thousands of pounds for business support and that’s how The Business Zone was created.
Cathy Vass, director of Green Zebra Solutions says “I worked in corporate for most of my 25-year career which meant I could go to my colleagues in marketing, sales, PR, HR or finance and ask for help. I could rely on them and their specialist knowledge to get the job done. We had teams of people to help us.
“But when you have your own business, who do you turn to when you have questions like ‘should I hire or outsource; what’s the best route to market; how do I market my business and increase sales’. You have to either hire an expert, outsource or learn those skills pretty quickly. It can be a shock to the system. It’s hard to know what to do and where to go.
“On top of that, we’ve heard horror stories from clients charged thousands of pounds for courses, programmes and masterminds to help grow their business which actually leaves them in debt and no further on.
“That’s why we created The Business Zone. It’s an online business community which provides affordable support to help with the day to day running of your business right through to business strategy and growing the business.”
The membership is already gaining traction with businesses from a range of sectors across the UK signed up.
Micaela Karina, director of That Counts and member of the Business Zone says “The Business Zone is the emergency hotline I didn’t even know I needed for my business. Case in point – when I urgently needed a contract template to complete a deal – I got sent one in minutes. When I needed someone to help me with a hiring decision – I had a call a few hours later. Having a place where I can get instant feedback, cheering, advice & resources is the ultimate business support on speed dial.”
