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They did it! Inspiring stories from people just like you

Read how we have helped the below businesses on their road to success.

Featured Inspiring Story

Sam's Cafe - Norwich

Sam’s Cafe in Norwich opened in February 2020 after Sam received support from Ian Bird under the New Anglia Growth Programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund and received a start up loan to be able to purchase the business he had previously worked in.

Just three weeks into his new venture and the coronavirus lockdown could have finished his business before he had even traded for one month but not for this entrepreneur.

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31st March 2017

National Athlete Consultancy

Having been through the sports scholarship process himself, Michael Ellis from Dunmow in Essex, was perfectly placed to set up a business to support others to do the same. Launched in November 2016, The National Athlete Consultancy helps talented athletes secure sports scholarship opportunities in the American University sporting system.

31st March 2017

Plush Clean

In its short time in business, Plush Clean carpet cleaners has already gained a good reputation in the area in and around Leiston, Suffolk. With the support of Nwes and the Leiston Enterprise Centre, business owner, Chris Richmond hasn’t looked back. We spoke to Chris about Plush Clean and his virtual office through Leiston Enterprise Centre.

29th March 2017

AJ’s and Amber Taxi Ltd

Purchasing a family-owned business that had been running for 12 years was a big jump for Marek Pawilcz, but he has more than risen to the challenge. In his first year, Marek has seen considerable business growth, recruiting the services of 16 drivers with a fleet of 10 company cars, and an additional 6 cars operating with their owners. We spoke to Marek about his journey from employee to employer.

27th March 2017

Mini Professors

With a PhD in Biochemistry, six years’ experience working as a research scientist, and a wealth of experience of science communication and running science clubs, when the chance to purchase a franchise of a science education business came along in September 2016, Dr Lucy Catto seized the opportunity. We spoke to Lucy about Mini Professors and its impact.

13th March 2017

Stella’s Little Bit of Greece

Visitors to Chelmsford town centre now have the chance to sample a taste of authentic Greece since Stella Coutsavakis launched her dream business in December 2016. Stella’s Little Bit of Greece is a unique Greek coffee house and patisserie. Having always enjoyed hosting parties and making the food from scratch, friends and family encouraged Stella to pursue her natural talent and flair for creating dishes inspired by her heritage.

10th March 2017

White Line Projects

With support from LSBC, Fiona McKay and Xenia Capacete launched their fashion business, White Line Projects. White Line Projects is a curatorial and creative studio based in London, specialising in innovative, digital and multidisciplinary methods of curation and content creation.

10th March 2017

Farah Qureshi Jewellery Design

Having experienced cut-backs in her role as a teacher, Farah Qureshi, who had a strong interest in jewellery design, turned her thoughts to developing her hobby into a business. Now working from home, as well as sharing a gallery at Oxo Tower Wharf, Farah Qureshi Jewellery Design has gone from strength to strength, and has been nominated for several awards.

22nd February 2017

Thrive Agency

Based in the heart of the city of Norwich, communications agency, Thrive Agency specialises in health and behavioural change messages. Having written the messages, they also handle the localisation and translation of content into a wide range of languages. They pride themselves on their first class service in order to exceed the expectations of their clients.

16th February 2017

Miles & Mia Limited

Miles & Mia Limited publishes children’s books. The brainchild of Michaela Alexander and her two children, Miles and Mia, the first book ‘A to Z’ teaches children different letters of the alphabet in a fun way, with rhyming text and original illustrations sure to delight children of all ages, as well as their parents. Michaela successfully applied for a Start Up Loan to cover the costs of getting the book printed and published.

15th February 2017

Katherena

Inspired by a degree in Fashion Promotion and Styling, and her father’s case manufacturing company, Katie Sykes, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, was driven to set up her own business designing bags and accessories. Katherena was launched in December 2015 and the future is looking bright.

10th February 2017

Good Food Catford

Good Food Catford is a community-centred grocery store and deli, focusing on local, seasonal and wholefoods. Vicky Skingley, the founder, is a nutritionist who has always been interested in food and what real people eat. The shop opened its doors in March 2015, and is currently employing five part time staff. Vicky is a Lewisham resident and is supported by London Small Business Centre, Lewisham Business Support Initiative, funded by the London Borough of Lewisham.

9th February 2017

Sim Within Group Limited

With a successful career in telecoms spanning over 25 years, Senior Sales and Marketing Director Stuart James began to crave more autonomy and flexibility over his working hours. He decided to take the leap into setting up his own business and launched Sim Within Group Limited in November 2016. We spoke to Stuart about his new business and how Nwes supported him.

9th February 2017

Marketing Force Services Ltd

Felixstowe Enterprise Centre, based on the town’s Summit Business Park, is perfectly placed to support local businesses. A stone’s throw away from both the busy Port of Felixstowe and the A14, the centre is managed by enterprise agency Nwes, and offers open plan workspace and flexible tenancies to support business growth. One business to take advantage of this prime location is Marketing Force Services Ltd.

9th February 2017

Pot O Rizotto

Selling delicious risotto from their eye-catching vintage Citroen HY van, Beata Illes and Christopher Vine, with support from Nwes, have turned their business dream from idea to reality.

7th February 2017

CQB Publications (UK) Ltd

When a good friend of Paul Child passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, his widow asked Paul to finish writing his book in order to keep control over the finished item. As the perfect tribute, Paul set up CQB Publications (UK) Ltd in order to bring the project to fruition.

6th February 2017

Lasagneria

Opening his very own unit on the historic Norwich Market was a very proud moment for business owner, Paolo Grazzini. Selling Italian-style lasagna to takeaway, Lasagneria is already building up a firm following after opening in December 2016, and now the future looks tasty.

6th February 2017

The Cornerstone Kiosk

Driven by a desire to be self-sufficient and happy, Peter Callum decided to draw on his 39 years of experience of working in the catering industry to start-up his own business.

30th January 2017

Paradise Slice

Dan and Noura of Paradise Slice had the vision and the energy to bring the authentic taste and experience of 20 inch New York pizzas to Brick Lane. They are both Lewisham residents and are supported by London Small Business Centre’s Lewisham Business Support Initiative, funded by London Borough of Lewisham.

30th January 2017

Lockability

With varied background, including a stint as a professional youth footballer, sports therapist, a degree in Business Management, and working for both charities and corporates in the capital, Waheed Akhtar just couldn’t find the right fit. Finally, with support from Nwes, he unlocked his potential by setting up his own locksmith business, and now he has job satisfaction and a bright future ahead.

25th January 2017

Walton Tree Services

Walton Tree Services is a professional tree surgery business based in Colchester, Essex. Having worked with his uncle as a tree surgeon for eight years, 25 year old Alex Walton was given the opportunity to take over the day-to-day running of the business.

25th January 2017

Our Local Butcher

Our Local Butcher (OLB) is a start-up company, which was launched in late August 2016 by James Thomas. OLB is a re-invention of the traditional butcher’s shop, whereby James offers ready to cook, ready prepared fresh meat, which caters for the busy professionals and medium to high income residents, with and without families, living in and around the Chelmsford area.

20th January 2017

Foldability

Kyla McCallum’s design studio, Foldability, specialises in products and spaces inspired by folding and geometry. Inspired by her studies and motivated by the business opportunities that London has to offer, she embarked on starting her business and facing the highs and lows with support. We spoke to Kyla about where her start-up journey has taken her.

17th January 2017

Synergy15 Ltd

Synergy15 Ltd offers cabling infrastructure installations. Based in Norwich, the business start-up is the brain child of Directors Jayson Nicholas and Martin Ilett.

17th January 2017

Daisy & Co London

After studying Fashion Buying with Design at De Montford University, Daisy Walsh designed and made her own sportswear collection in her final year. It was this project which made her realise that she wanted to start her own clothing company.

 

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