New Year is a natural reset point and often the moment people finally say, “this is the year I do something different”. Whether you are thinking about starting a business, testing a side hustle or reshaping an existing idea, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.

The Go Succeed Start team hosts this in person evening masterclass, “New Year, New You: Idea Generation Masterclass”, on Tuesday 13 January from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.

This practical session is designed for people who are serious about exploring self-employment but do not yet have a clear business idea. Together we will help you turn your skills, interests and experience into business opportunities that fit your life and goals.

You do not need a business plan, a perfect idea or any previous experience. Whether you are at the “no idea yet” stage or you already have a few half-formed ideas in your head, this masterclass will help you generate options, narrow your focus and you will leave with a number of ideas you can realistically develop in 2026.

By the end of the evening, you will have:

• A shortlist of potential business ideas
• One idea chosen to explore in more detail
• A simple outline of what it could look like and who it could serve
• Clear next steps to keep your momentum going after the session

What to expect

In this interactive session you will:

• Meet like-minded people who are at the early idea stage of starting a business
• Learn simple ways to spot problems and opportunities in your day-to-day life and local community
• Explore how your existing skills, hobbies and work experience could be turned into products or services
• Gain a clearer understanding of self-employment and the practical steps involved in getting started
• Hear about current trends, fresh ideas and real case studies from local businesses
• Receive practical guidance from business advisers who help individuals start and grow businesses every day
• Shape one promising idea into a simple outline you can test after the session
• Identify a small set of realistic actions you can take in the weeks after the masterclass

Throughout the session we will share practical tips, guided exercises and real-world examples to help you think creatively and confidently about what business you could start in the year ahead. You will leave with more than inspiration. You will leave with clarity, ideas on paper and a first step you can take.

This session is for you if:

• You have always said “one day I will start a business” but have not yet made a start
• You have lots of ideas in your head and want help to narrow them down
• You want to explore self-employment but do not know what type of business to start

About the presenter

For over 30 years North City Business Centre has championed enterprise in North Belfast, with their team of in-house advisers helping start-ups and small businesses to launch, grow and create local jobs.

This masterclass will be delivered by Chris Bate, Business Adviser at North City Business Centre. Chris works with aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs across Belfast, helping them turn ideas into actionable plans and connect with the right support at the right time.

This Go Succeed workshop is open to all individuals in the early stages of their business, located in the Belfast City Council area and neighbouring Council areas.

Date and Location:

Event Date & Time: Tuesday 13 January| 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: North City Business Centre

Our chosen venue is fully accessible, ensuring that everyone can join us for an inclusive experience, with on site parking available.

Registration instructions: This event is free for individuals. Please note, your email confirmation and eTicket will come from noreply@glistrr.com, please add this to your list of trusted accounts to prevent information landing in your junk folder.

Please note as this is an in-person event, the registration numbers for this are restricted. Whilst Go Succeed operates across NI, this event is being hosted by Belfast City Council therefore should the event reach capacity and a waiting list is created, priority access will be given to Businesses based in that area.

This workshop is brought to you as part of Go Succeed NI. Go Succeed represents a significant investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses, funded by the UK Government.