Inspiring Enterprise

Building Better Opportunities

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KC’s Story

KC enrolled in the Inspiring Enterprise programme during 2018 having been medically discharged from the Police Force after 13 years loyal service following an assault and injury sustained while on duty.

After participating in a 2 ½ day Enterprise Essentials workshop KC went on to explore setting up his own Locksmith business. As well as learning about the fundamentals of running a business, he undertook and successfully completed accredited Locksmith training in November 2018 and is now a paid up, trusted and vetted member of the UK Locksmith Association

KC operates as Near Me Locksmiths (GU & RH) and is delivering his services to clients in boroughs of Surrey and beyond and is already receiving positive reviews from satisfied clients on Check a Trade and Yell.com

Richard Ryan, Inspiring Enterprise Trainer and Mentor says “ I’m enormously proud of what KC has achieved for himself. He fully engaged in the programme while tackling additional personal challenges that included Addison’s Disease, severe shoulder damage and PTSD”

“KC”, says Richard Ryan,” is an inspiration to others and it has been a pleasure to support him and to be part of his drive and determination to carve out a new future for himself”

When asked about the programme, KC comments

“When I first was offered the opportunity to receive information and take part in the Enterprise Essentials Workshop my current life as I knew it was ending . I hadn’t chosen to leave the force myself and I was petrified of what the future did or did not hold for me. I decided that I needed to try and regain some control of what was happening to my life. I decided to attend the 2 ½ day course and saw instantly just how passionate Richard was about his job whilst he went about presenting the course.

Initially I had an idea for another business and had planned to pursue Locksmithing as just a hobby or in the back ground. A lot of work was put into the initial project by myself and wife with much support and direction from Richard (so much more back ground work was done by him from the off, than I ever imagined would be, it was obvious that he genuinely cared.) A website was created, business cards were made and meetings were even arranged and attended with solicitors. However due to external issues at the eleventh hour, I chose to end that path and I decided to solely pursue Locksmithing as my main business plan and focus.

Despite all of our previous meetings and the work that Richard and I had undertaken prior till then Richard never questioned my decision as to why I had changed my mind or resented it in anyway. He was extremely supportive and remains so to this day.

I have learnt so much from Richard and the Inspiring Enterprise project, much more than I would have trying to from a book. It has been one of the best decisions I have made.

I am very fortunate to have had this experience and I am extremely grateful to Richard and the team at the Inspiring Enterprise project.

Thank you.”

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Case Study –Anne-Marie Alonso


Some of Anna’s clients

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.”

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Social Kitchen: EdAble

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

 

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Successful participant: Shamala Moodley

I suddenly realise I am really hungry when I walk into Shamala’s kitchen. She is cooking several dishes for our lunch today to show off her skills and discuss her options going forward.

Shamala is a highly skilled senior teacher who due to ill health had to leave the teaching profession.  But she and her husband are  keen cooks and have always dreamed of starting their own food business.

Whilst off sick following a difficult time during her last job, Shamala came across the Inspiring Enterprise project and teamed up with Business Advisor Susan Reviere to develop her ideas and business plans.

Initially they explored having a catering van in the centre of Staines, selling street food to shoppers and passers-by. Whilst this was very popular on certain days, she felt that there was not enough passing trade to fund a business. She also recognised that next to setting up and running your own business you need another form of income to pick up the high and lows in the beginning.

Together with Susan she scaled back her business to preparing home-cooked meals for local people in Staines whilst working again part-time at a school. Many people met her whilst selling street food in Staines and the idea for delivered home-cooked food immediately caught on.  

People order through her Facebook page the day before and the meals are delivered hot at the requested time. Since switching to this approach, orders have steadily increased through word of mouth and Social Media. With her regular income secured, she is now gradually building a customer base in South West London. It is a shame I don’t live nearer…

You can get hold of Shamala’s lovely home-cooked food menu when you follow her on Facebook: foodhype.co.uk

Shamala specialises also in gluten free and vegetarian dishes.

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Life is Sweet for Surrey Based Social Enterprise

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