Free business workshops to boost Weymouth’s creative microbusinesses and start-ups

Budding entrepreneurs and small business owners in Weymouth are being offered the chance to kickstart 2026 with a brand-new programme of free, fully-funded business support workshops designed to help them grow and succeed.

Funded by Dorset Council as part of the Weymouth Digital Skills Hub and delivered by Evolve Advisory, the series will run throughout January and February 2026 at Weymouth Library. 

The workshops are aimed at freelancers, sole traders and microbusinesses in the creative industries sector, aiming to provide practical skills, digital know-how and the confidence needed to transform ideas into sustainable business success.

Over four interactive sessions – running on Monday afternoons, participants will learn the essential building blocks of running a business – from turning a creative hobby or passion into a viable enterprise and planning for growth, to improving productivity and building a strong brand presence online. 

Each workshop will be led by experienced industry professionals and designed to be hands-on, collaborative and accessible, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and meet other local entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners in and around Weymouth.

“This series of workshops is all about giving microbusiness owners the confidence and tools to take their next steps,” said Becky Phillips of Evolve Advisory. “Whether it’s pricing for profit, improving productivity, or creating an effective marketing plan, each workshop focuses on practical actions that can make a real difference for these small creative businesses.” 

Hannah Lloyd, Project Manager of the Weymouth Digital Skills Hub at Dorset Council, added: “Small businesses form the backbone of our local economy in Weymouth. By investing in targeted support like this, we’re helping them to build the resilience and skills they need to grow their businesses sustainably and contribute to the wider prosperity of Dorset.” 

The workshops:

• 12 January, 1-3pm Hobby or Business? Pricing and Promotion for Profit
• 19 January, 1-3pm Simple but Effective Business Planning for Microbusinesses
• 26 January, 1-3pm Work Smarter, not Harder:  Productivity Gains for the Sole Trader
• 2 February, 1-3pm Brand Building & Social Media Marketing Essentials  

All four workshops are completely free to attend funded by Dorset Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Business owners can book onto individual or all sessions depending on their interests and needs.

To find out more and book a place, visit www.evolveadvisory.co.uk