AS spring approaches individuals across the region are tuning back into their personal aspirations.

Many have a burning ambition to be their own boss and are spending time poring over cashflow forecasts and drawing up business launch plans.

Barclays Bank reveals that more than 12,600 people across the south west started businesses in the first three months of 2007, more than at any other time in the year.

The entrepreneurial bug can bite you whatever your age.

Last year across the south west more than 15,000 businesses were set up by people over the age of 45 - over 5,000 of these firms were established by people over 55, drawing on years of experience.

But, record numbers of young people are also starting their own business. Last year there were some 3,000 companies set up by entrepreneurs under the age of 25 across our region.

Famously, Bill Gates set up Microsoft, Larry Page and Sergey Brin set up Google and Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook when they were under 25.

Whatever your age, find a business that reflects your interests and lifestyle.

Business Link Start Up adviser Christopher Pearson said: "You need to be clear in setting your personal objectives for starting a new venture.

"Tremendous determination and commitment is needed to get a business off the ground and through its crucial early years. To find the motivation to succeed you need to do something that you really enjoy.

"Setting up and running your own business can be an incredibly exciting, fun and challenging experience," said Mr Pearson.

"However, intelligent, careful planning at the outset is vital to the long term success of the business - our new podcast will help people carry this out in a clear, structured way."

The things Mr Pearson believes that people should consider include: l Do you want a people-orientated business - is this your strength, do you enjoy meeting and spending time with people? Are you good at making people like you quickly?

l What about worklife balance? Are you prepared to work long hours in building a business quickly? Or would you rather take a lifestyle approach, with more modest ambitions?

l Are you willing to take risks - for example, could you sleep at night if your house was used as collateral to fund the growth of an ambitious business? Or should you find a safer option?

Events are being held across the county with specialists from the Business Link Start Up team providing support and guidance.

Business Start Up Awareness Sessions are hosted by experienced advisers and special training courses are provided to help people starting a business get to grips with the range of topics and issues that they must understand.

Visit the Business Link website for clear, sound advice, a range of business guides and interactive tools, such as the start up organiser - www.businesslinksw.co.uk.

Ambition to go it alone is realised
AFTER seven years working as a planner in the public and private sector, Charlotte Watkins decided in October 2006 that the time was right to achieve a long-held ambition of going it alone.

Her company, Land and Property Planning Solutions Ltd, of Chippenham, offers advice to property owners and small-scale developers and architects on issues ranging from applications and appeals to matters involving enforcement or listed buildings legislation.

"Planning can often prove to be a minefield for individuals and small businesses - and it is probably becoming even more complicated thanks to more recent changes and additions to regulations," Charlotte explained.

"Professional support can make all the difference. One of my recent clients, for example, was frustrated by the refusal of planners to allow the building of a house in his garden.

"He came to me with the idea of appealing against the decision. I recommended the alternative idea of a different design that added two flats on the side of his existing property - and that succeeded."

Charlotte, pictured, made Business Link her first port of call when she decided to launch LP Planning in 2006. "At the start, a one-to-one interview was invaluable in helping me create a strong business plan and I attended a couple of courses as well.

"I also benefited from networking events - simply handing out your business card can soon generate some very useful contacts."

Charlotte, originally from Birmingham, gained a degree in town and country planning at the University of the West of England in Bristol. She is a chartered town planner and member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

LP Planning specialises in small scale residential, commercial, agricultural and equestrian developments at all stages of the planning process.

The company has developed to a point where it recently moved to new, larger offices on The Causeway, Chippenham.

For more information about LP Planning, call 01249 655733 or click on www.lpplanning.co.uk.