One of the things I’ve enjoyed about writing this column over the past year is the chance to think about how we grow our economy.

It has also made me think about the importance of businesses that are started and built here.

Every successful business begins with someone deciding to have a go.

When someone starts a business, their first thoughts are usually about themselves. Can I make this work? Can I make a living from it?

But what starts as a personal decision can become something much bigger.

That personal decision can create jobs for other people. The business can grow and put down roots in our community. Sometimes the next generation gets involved.

Across the North West, on both sides of the border, we all know businesses that remain closely connected to the people and places where they started.

Decisions are made here. Wealth is created here. And when those businesses succeed, many more of us benefit.

That has a wider impact on our economy. Businesses that are started and built here employ local people, buy from other businesses and create opportunities for others.

We need inward investment, of course. But long-term prosperity also depends on our ability to start and grow more businesses of our own.

That is why entrepreneurship matters to the North West.

And it is why we are putting entrepreneurship at the heart of our 2026 Chamber President’s Dinner on 2 October.

Our two panels will bring together established entrepreneurs and those at an earlier stage of building their businesses.

It will be great to hear why they started, what gave them the confidence to take that first step and what they have learned along the way.

Somewhere in the North West today, someone may have an idea and be wondering whether they could turn it into a business.

Perhaps hearing about the experiences of others will encourage them to have a go too.

Who knows what they might go on to build?