Showcase success story speaks at this year’s event

AN ASPIRING businesswoman who attended events during last year’s Enterprise Week will be back to advise other potential entrepreneurs this week after launching her photographic venture.
Julie Dennison, who set up a business after advice from last year's Enterprise Week SUS-140313-150626001Julie Dennison, who set up a business after advice from last year's Enterprise Week SUS-140313-150626001
Julie Dennison, who set up a business after advice from last year's Enterprise Week SUS-140313-150626001

Julie Dennison, 44, based in New Broadway, Tarring, set up The Web Shot Company shortly after last year’s events, having been inspired by the various workshops she attended.

And she is urging those in a similar position to take advantage of the ongoing support offered by organisations such as Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce – the main organiser of Enterprise Week and the Business Showcase.

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“The networking and peer to peer mentoring the chamber has offered has been great,” said Julie.

“Last year’s Enterprise Week was perfect timing as I went to most of the events and got lots of advice, and also met Tina from the chamber, who told me about further support.”

Julie had been a photographer all her life but saw a gap in the market for businesses which wanted high-resolution shots to go on their websites.

She launched the business and now concentrates 
solely on the corporate market.

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Julie said: “I looked at my client base and more customers were asking me to do decent shots for their websites.

“I thought there was a market for that sort of thing, and decided to specialise in it.”

In addition to website shots, Julie has become just one of two in Worthing – and part of a select group – to become a ‘Google trusted photographer’.

This accolade allows her to take pictures of the inside of companies for Google’s new project – Google Business View.

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Just like Street View, where users can see visual pictures of streets, instead of a basic map, participating firms can show-off their premises.

Julie said: “It’s a great marketing tool for businesses, especially places like wedding venues, so the customer can go online and take a virtual tour around the venues.

“I applied to Google at the start and didn’t hear anything, but I tried again six months later and got accepted.

“They give you training and then you become a trusted photographer and get to take pictures on their behalf.”

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Julie will speak about her experiences as a new business owner at Thursday’s Business Showcase, at Worthing Town Hall.

But as she is ‘learning all the time’, she will also be using the event as another source of useful advice.

She said: “My advice for those in a similar position to me would be to follow up all the opportunities and make the most of it, not just throughout Enterprise Week but afterwards.

“Don’t go away and forget about it, persevere and find out more about the support which is out there.”

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