Key points:
- Structured learning helped turn an idea into a business goal
- Practical teaching made business concepts accessible
- Increased confidence supported progression towards self-employment
Evidence content
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the biggest barrier is not the idea itself, but understanding how to turn that idea into a viable business.
Syreeta De Freitas enrolled on a Level 2 Certificate in Creating a Business Startup while unemployed and preparing to launch her own Reiki practice.
At the start of the course, she wanted to better understand the fundamentals of starting and managing a business, including financial planning, marketing and day-to-day operations.
The course provided a structured introduction to these areas, breaking down unfamiliar terminology and concepts into manageable sections.
“The course is brilliant for anyone planning to start their own business. It breaks down complex business concepts into manageable chunks and provides practical tools you can use straight away.”
While some of the financial language and business planning concepts were initially unfamiliar, Syreeta developed her understanding through additional research and revisiting course notes between sessions.
A key part of the experience was the practical focus of the learning. In particular, the marketing and business planning elements helped her move from having a general idea to developing a clearer and more achievable plan.
She described the course as helping transform “a spark of an idea” into “a concrete achievable goal.”
As her understanding grew, so did her confidence in taking the next steps towards self-employment.
The course gave her a clearer understanding of:
- how to financially plan for a business
- how to market services effectively
- what is required to run a small business sustainably
This combination of:
- accessible teaching
- practical tools
- structured planning
- increased confidence
helped create a realistic pathway towards launching her Reiki practice.
“Even if you’re skilled in your chosen field, understanding the business side is crucial for success, and this course delivers that knowledge effectively.”
This case highlights how adult learning can support enterprise and self-employment by making business skills more accessible. By building confidence alongside practical knowledge, learners are better equipped to take realistic next steps toward starting and sustaining a business.
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
K&C Adult learning Service is an adult community learning provider within the Economy and Learning Team of the Council.
- Maximising access to high quality learning opportunities
- Supporting progression in its widest sense
- Providing learning opportunities that meet health and wellbeing priorities
- Tackling issues affecting residents, families and children in the borough including isolation and digital exclusion
- Promoting social renewal by bringing learners together from different backgrounds, cultures and socio-economic groups
