THE recession should not be a time when ambitions to start your own business are shelved. Business Link in the East of England is keen to listen to graduates who still harbour thoughts of starting up on their own. Even with unemployment now at over two mi

THE recession should not be a time when ambitions to start your own business are shelved.

Business Link in the East of England is keen to listen to graduates who still harbour thoughts of starting up on their own.

Even with unemployment now at over two million and university graduates facing their toughest time ever at finding a job, Business Link say there are still opportunities out there.

One man who has bucked the trend is Magic Heng and his business partner Lisa Atkin who have turned their company Home2Garden, selling unique wind sculptures from their base in Chorleywood.

An adviser from Business Link encouraged the partners to re-evaluate profitability across different sales channels which led to a re-focus away from trade distributors and sales agents. Sales growth has picked up and profitability is healthy.

Pat Smith, chief executive for Business Link in the East of England, said: "Even in these tough economic times, start-up businesses, including those conceived by graduates, have every chance of success.

"Business Link can provide guidance each step of the way from planning, market research and strategy to financing and sourcing suppliers. We can help channel competencies and develop skills and this year's graduates should take advantage of the wealth of free support available to help them find their vocation."

Herts-based graduates wanting to find out more about starting their own business should register now at www.bookevents.org for forthcoming free Business Link workshops, with the next one being on Wednesday, September 2, at the Quality Hotel, St Albans.