Belfast at her feet!

After moving from her native Wales, Melita Williams spent many hours planning exciting day trips and weekend excursions for her family and friends keen to visit the city.  So good at the task, Melita decided it was something worth doing full-time, and, with the help of Invest Northern Ireland's Go for it programme, opened her own 'Bespoke Belfast' travel company aimed at customers who also want to visit Belfast in style.

"Bespoke Belfast was born out of a passion for our fascinating city and for luxury and excitement. Our local expertise allows us to tailor-make luxury short breaks according to our customers' tastes and interests."

Bespoke Belfast books accommodation, transport, tours, activities and restaurants on behalf of its clients and provides planned itineraries for visitors to the city.

Melita stumbled upon the idea quite by accident and with her mind made up she signed up for Invest NI's Go for it programme to get the plan going.

"There was no way I could have got the company off the ground without the support and mentoring provided by the Go for it programme," the former education specialist said. "I had absolutely no idea how to run a business before taking part and felt fully prepared, confident and ready to get going after it was over."

Melita said the course focused on all the basics of running a business, including book-keeping, employment law and marketing. "Everything was explained in such a simple and practical way, using easy-to-understand examples. From pricing your products to paying your tax, what were once mind-boggling subjects in my head are no more!"

After a hectic few months creating business links with hotels, restaurants, tour operators and activity specialists and building the website, Melita is finally managing to enjoy the positive aspects of running her own business.

"I love the flexibility it gives me," she said "I like making all the decisions and not having to rely on others". Melita says she enjoys seeing her customers happy, "I live for their positive feedback."

"Invest NI's Go for it programme gave me confidence as well as knowledge, and I know the support I was given at the time is still there whenever I need it." Melita added. 

The Go for it programme is provided by Invest Northern Ireland and is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund. For details, log onto: www.goforitni.com.