Mum's the word for guide venture (From Gazette & Herald)

Mum's the word for guide venture

A MUM has made her business dream come true with the launch of a new 'Parents Guide' for Scarborough and the surrounding area.

Carey Bilton, 27, of Cayton, Scarborough, had the idea for a guide listing local facilities and child-friendly things to do following the birth of her daughter Amelia.

Carey contacted North Yorkshire Moors and Coast Business Advice Agency (NYMAC), a partner organisation of Business Link York and North Yorkshire, for help first.

She then went on a Fit for Business four-day course before developing her idea with advice and support from NYMAC business adviser Angela Langton under the Bright Sparks Programme for young entrepreneurs, funded by Yorkshire Forward.

Now, less than a year later, the 68-page guide is going on sale throughout the district from Saturday, January 22.

Carey, a former Pindar Secondary School pupil, is now working on plans for expansion. She said: "The idea sprang from spending lots of time with other parents. Clearly there was a market for a guide for parents.

"It developed into a comprehensive guide for parents of children aged 0-11, suitable for visitors, residents and families moving into the area, with information about child friendly places to eat out, visitor attractions within easy travel, public services and things to do for free, such as where to go to feed the ducks or have a picnic.

"The help from NYMAC has been excellent and I am now considering taking on some helpers and making the guide an annual publication with separate editions for Whitby and Ryedale and possibly other towns and cities, too."

NYMAC business adviser Angela said: "By bringing together expertise from Business Link York and North Yorkshire, the borough council and the Chamber of Commerce, we were able to give Carey a complete package of advice to help her turn her business idea into reality. For example, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce helped with patent information and Business Link's e-business adviser helped Carey to obtain the right kind of support to develop her web page for the guide.

"But the idea and nine months of hard work writing the guide and winning co-operation from local businesses has all been Carey's own 'baby' and we are all delighted to see the guide successfully appear."

The guide costs £2.95. For details of stockists telephone Carey Bilton on (01723) 581086.

Parent Guide Publications will make a donation of 30p from each copy sold to Scarborough Hospital's special care baby unit, maternity and children's ward.

The Bright Sparks scheme provides information and advice for young people starting a business. If you have a business idea you want to develop, contact NYMAC at Scarborough Business Centre on (01723) 377847.

Updated: 12:12 Wednesday, January 19, 2005