Weston-super-Mare people dreaming of becoming their own boss received wise advice at a free workshop.

A second Bossit event was held to help people living in the Bournville, Coronation, Oldmixon, Potteries and town centre areas get into business.

The workshop allowed people to explore how their skills and interests can be used to create a business, while entrepreneurs shared their success stories and offered advice on getting into business for the first time.

The campaign is being funded by the NatWest Skills and Opportunities Fund and organised by North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA), Skills4Work and Westonworks.

MORE: First Bossit business event takes place for aspiring Weston entrepreneurs.

Around 30 people attended the event, with some testing the viability of their business ideas and others gaining confidence and support.

Talks were given by business owners from Weston and the surrounding areas, including from Clare Morris, who runs Coco’s Canteen, in Regent Street and The Waterpark beach front café.

She spoke about facing down large national chains and how to beat such competition.

Claire said: “There are times when you are working seven days a week and wonder if your business will ever be profitable, but have to draw on your determination to get through.”

Among the audience members was Sam Walsh, a self-taught artist who is about to start selling her animal art in retail outlets.

She said: “This has been a real boost to my confidence and I am now meeting with an NSEA business advisor for a one-to-one chat.

“Sharing business ambitions and ideas with others around the table was a great experience and I now have a friendly group of contacts to network with.”

Lucy Sparks, who attended the event to explore ideas for her horticultural-based business, said: “This event has given me the push I needed to look at taking my idea to the next stage”

Angela Hicks, chief executive of NSEA, said: “There is a huge amount of free support and advice available to help start-up businesses and we are all excited to be helping new ventures take their first steps to success.”

For more information about Bossit, call NSEA on 01934 418118 or visit www.facebook.com/BossItwsm