The UK is a nation of entrepreneurs, with a record-breaking 657, 790 new businesses created in 2016. Aspiring business owners hoping to follow suit are invited to the NEC, Birmingham, this autumn to take advantage of a wealth of expert advice.

The National Franchise Exhibition, co-located with the Growing Your Own Business conference, returns on 13 & 14 October to provide entrepreneurs with a chance to explore an extensive range of business opportunities and to gather advice and inspiration.

Michelle Niziol, a highly successful entrepreneur in the property sector, will motivate event visitors to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions with her keynote presentation, From going first to coming first: how I became a successful entrepreneur, at 1pm on Friday 13 October.

Starting out her career as a qualified mortgage adviser in 2005, it didn't take long before Michelle's entrepreneurial spirit led her to found her own business, IMS Independent Mortgage Solutions, which she launched in 2008.

Michelle's keen eye for business allowed her to identify further opportunity in the property market, so a few years later she pursued industry qualifications and opened her own estate agency and lettings business.

In her latest astute business move, Michelle now provides clients with a completely bespoke property service specialising in property buying for investment portfolios, adding yet another arm to the overall IMS Property Group business.

In 2016, Michelle fulfilled a more personal ambition: to appear on the BBC's The Apprentice, gaining her invaluable experience and a further avenue from which to pursue business.

In her keynote presentation, Michelle will offer her audience a candid appraisal of the reality of being 'your own boss', highlighting the challenges and the many rewards, and she'll share key lessons on how to grow a fruitful business.

Michelle comments: I firmly believe that there is no more rewarding way to earn a living than by running your own business. It's not, however, always an easy path to follow to become a successful entrepreneur. I've learned so much building my businesses, and I look forward to guiding other entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

Visitors to The National Franchise Exhibition will have further opportunity to access expertise and advice thanks to a programme of over 60 free seminars and workshops covering all aspects of starting up and growing a successful business.

For those considering investing in a franchise, an expansive selection of brands offering low-cost to high-investment opportunities will be represented at the exhibition. Sponsors of the event, the global number one franchise, Anytime Fitness, will join McDonald's, Colourfence and art-K, opening the doors to business ownership for every entrepreneur, whatever their career and lifestyle goals.

Thanks to an exclusive partnership with the British Franchise Association (bfa) every one of the exhibiting brands has been assessed as operating a viable business format franchise.

The variety of business opportunities on offer, combined with a goldmine of advice for achieving business success from industry professionals makes The National Franchise Exhibition an essential event for anyone at any stage of their franchising journey.

For more information on all aspects of the event and to book free tickets please visit FranchiseInfo.co.uk

1. https://centreforentrepreneurs.org/cfe-releases/2016-breaks-business-formation-records/?mc_cid=cd53b7970a&mc_eid=0804ec0dee
2. Source: www.franchiseinfo.co.uk/news/694/anytime-fitness-named-top-global-franchise-2016

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