During her recovery from a prolonged and complicated illness, which left Anna with only one kidney and PTSD, she lost her job as a Marketing and Business Development Manager for a London-based digital information service.

 Anna used time and space to reflect on what she wanted to do. After deciding to set up My Pet’s Concierge, a ‘home at home’ pet concierge & house-sitting service for Surrey/West Sussex/Hampshire borders, she contacted and signed up to the Inspiring Enterprise Project in August 2018 seeking support and assistance with the process and ordering of her thoughts for her business proposition.

During September, Anna attended and participated in the project’s free Enterprise Essentials 2 ½ day workshop taking on board crucial marketing, finance and business planning knowledge and skills which she put to good effect later, completing a comprehensive and clear business plan for her business proposition.

Having seen Anna with some of the dogs she looks after, Inspiring Enterprise’s Trainer and Mentor, Richard Ryan says: “It is clearly evident the love that Anna offers her clients’ dogs and absolutely no surprise that she has developed numerous regular and repeat customers for her dog-walking and pet-sitting services.”

My Pet’s Concierge is now registered with HMRC, has a positive early trading record with bookings already in the diary for the year ahead and new clients regularly contacting Anna enquiring about her services.

Richard Ryan comments: “Anna has been truly amazing in overcoming personal challenges while able to demonstrate early start-up success. I’m delighted for what she has achieved for herself against the odds. She has brought tenacity, drive, passion for what she does and has good reason to be proud of what she has achieved thus far.”

Anna states: “I found the support positive, practical and life-affirming – and wouldn’t have had the energy or self-belief to start my business if it hadn’t been for Richard and the fantastic Inspiring Enterprise project.”

I am waiting in the queue at Costa’s looking at all the sugar laden cakes and tarts. Do people still eat those these days? The sugar tax, the increase in vegan and vegetarian food, obesity…you would have thought that a more healthy option would do well.

Now I am not a buyer for the coffee chain or one of their marketing analysts, I am here to meet with one of our Inspiring Enterprise participants, Suzanne O’Hara who has just launched her Social Kitchen ‘EdAble’ in the Addlestone area and her business Advisor Richard Ryan from the Inspiring Enterprise project.

Having worked for the corporate food giants, but now needing to spend more time at home due to family circumstances, she felt that the time was right to make her dream come through to start her healthy food business.

Suzanne, enjoys honest food, hates waste and has always been keen to provide a place to work and flourish for people with disabilities. And with this love for food, she launched EdAble, a Social Enterprise producing home-style meals using gluts from local suppliers that might otherwise go to waste.  It is a win-win for everybody involved: suppliers see there produce being put to good use, customers get to eat healthy, wholesome meals and EdAble provides a workplace for people who would find it difficult to work 9-5.

She started working with Inspiring Enterprise Partner Surrey Community Action in 2017 and business advisor Richard helped her get the business off the ground. He comments: ”It is key for Suzanne to develop an income stream so the project is sustainable. Focus, dedication and a business strategy are all important to make this a success.  Suzanne is very motivated and I am confident that she will do well.”

EdAble Social Kitchen is open every Thursday at the Addlestone Community Centre. You can eat in or pick up your meals to eat at home.

Edablesocial.com

facebook.com/EdAbleSocial

Suzanne@edablesocial.com

 

Inspiring Enterprise project officers Erica Sandford and Claire Dawson, both with Surrey Community Action, have been working with Sophie Foote, Manager of the County Care Community Skills Project, to assist adults with learning difficulties to launch a successful business making and selling sweet bags. They have produced a business model for the group and have helped them to develop essential business skills such as money handling and customer service, as well as developing confidence.

The Candy Care Enterprise group now orders stock, makes up and sells the product

in nine Addlestone High Street shops – clearing £150 in the first month alone.

They also offer party packs so people can send in an order by email and it can be made up ready for collection. These can be for children’s parties, baby showers, weddings, and birthday or engagement parties.

Sophie said: “I cannot praise Erica and Claire highly enough. Their support and advice has been invaluable in helping us run this programme which so encourages our participants and allows them to progress and thrive.”

The Candy Care Enterprise group will be working with Claire to go through their takings and help make keeping records as easy as possible. They are also going to be expanding the Candy Care idea and adding in a second enterprise – hopefully there will be more exciting news soon