Sector: Printing

Location: Gedling

Ernest Bexon & Coy (Printers) Ltd, known as Bexons, began trading over 60 years ago. It was created by Ernest Bexon, his son-in-law, Michael Morris and his brother Geoff Morris.

It is a family-run, trade printing business, producing everything from business cards to B1 format sheets for B2B and B2C customers. Continued investment into modern machinery and equipment has helped the business build a strong reputation for offering a professional service - quality printing, that meets tight deadlines, at competitive prices.

Bexons is based in Daybrook, Nottingham and has a team of 11 people. Staff have a wealth of experience in the printing industry with some team members having over 25 years of knowledge and expertise in the field. This longevity of service is reflected in the team’s deep understanding of the various aspects of printing. Many of the team have been at the business since leaving school fostering loyalty and commitment to the business’s collective goals.

There is also great teamwork and camaraderie among the staff which helps them work effectively together. The skills they have gained over the years are invaluable and enable them to tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.

Challenges faced

One major barrier to growth for Bexons has been rising energy costs. Over the last 5 years, energy prices have doubled for the printing business, significantly impacting its profit margins. The business has had to think of new ways to reduce its electricity consumption, become more energy efficient and reduce its carbon footprint.

Brexit has also had a big impact on the printing industry as many companies looking to save costs have cut their marketing budgets. This in turn has affected the need for printing requirements, reducing demand for outsourced printers.

Solution and Impact

The Accelerator project and Chamber Business Adviser, Lisa Baggott have supported Bexons to combat some of these challenges. Accelerator is funded by Gedling Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Lisa has provided one-to-one advice to Director, Ryan Morris initially starting with a business diagnostic to see where the business was and wanted to be. Bexons took advantage of a fully funded premises energy audit which identified energy efficiency improvements and opportunities to reduce costs.

Lisa also helped Bexons successfully apply for a £10,000 sustainability grant (80% contribution) towards the cost of purchasing and installing solar panels. Ryan estimates that these panels will save the business a massive £3,800 a year!

Lisa commented: “Working with Bexons has been an absolute joy! Hearing about their history and seeing their passion for their business was truly inspiring. It’s been fantastic to help Ryan and the team tackle some of their challenges, from reducing energy costs to securing funding for solar panels. I’m so excited to see how these changes help them grow, and I can’t wait to support them further on their journey.”

Bexons has also joined the East Midlands Manufacturing Network, a Chamber initiative that includes free forum meetings where manufacturers can share best practices and hear about business support available.

“The support we received through the whole process has been superb. We would like to give a special mention to Lisa Baggott who assisted us throughout and was always available if we needed help with any of the grant process.”

- Ryan Morris, Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Gedling Borough Council.

Sector: Charity

Location: North East Derbyshire

The Dronfield Heritage Trust is a historic buildings preservation charity and was founded in 2007 to oversee the restoration of the Grade II* listed Dronfield Hall Barn.

The Barn officially opened in 2015, and over the subsequent ten years the Trust has developed a popular venue for community heritage, arts, and natural history activities. The Trust also manages a wholly owned trading subsidiary company to run the popular Barn Café, and a historic venue space for weddings, corporate, and social hire.

The Trust is supported by three staff members, and a team of volunteers for front-of-house hosting and garden maintenance.

Challenges faced

Between 2015 – 2020, the Barn hosted up to 30 weddings a year which provided a significant income to the Trust for the maintenance of the building and the development of community events. During the pandemic lockdowns, the Trust continued to offer community support, but soon noticed a significant fall-off in the number of wedding bookings. Nationally, the weddings market was changing, and together with competition from other Derbyshire and south Yorkshire venues, this presented a sustainability challenge to the Trust.

The overall increase in direct and indirect costs, and competition for charitable trusts meant there was pressure to make the most of the space available. How could the Trust fulfil its commitment to deliver free community-focussed activity whilst maximising the commercial opportunities provided by a beautiful venue and quality catering offer?

Solution and Impact

Sam Reavey, Creative Manager and Andrea Kilner, Coffee Shop Manager worked with Paul Stuart, Head of Business Support Services at East Midlands Chamber through the Accelerator project. Accelerator is funded by North East Derbyshire District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is delivered by the Chamber.

Paul helped the Trust to apply for an Accelerator Growth Voucher which was used to fund a specialist consultant.

Sam says: “The help we received from the Chamber and Paul was excellent. He talked me through the process of applying for the voucher and was on hand to offer advice and suggestions. We spent time on Zoom discussing the application and with his help, we were successful in receiving the Accelerator grant.”

Through the one-to-one adviser support, Sam and Andrea were able to consider the options available to balance the use of the function space with the on-going growth of the Coffee Shop and catering offer.

A number of Trust employees have also taken advantage of free training events including Marketing Made Easy for Tourism Businesses, Practical Guide to Marketing, Practical Guide to Leadership and Management, How to Safely Update your WordPress Website and Using Video in Content Marketing.

Chairman of the Dronfield Heritage Trust Alan Powell added: “We became a member of the Chamber just over a year ago and really appreciate the practical support available to both the charity and to our trading company. We will continue to draw on Chamber expertise, networking and marketing opportunities as we head into our 10th Anniversary year.”

“The support from first contact to conclusion has been brilliant. Really supportive and knowledgeable.

What we have been able to receive wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Paul and the other staff we have dealt with.”

- Sam Reavey, Creative Manager

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of North East Derbyshire District Council.

Sector: Tree growing and planting CIC

Location: Broxtowe

Helene Laanest registered Canopy 2050 CIC, a community-based initiative in the East Midlands, in 2023 with a mission to increase the urban tree canopy.

They collaborate with residents to collect, distribute and cultivate native tree seeds and plant the resulting saplings in tree-depleted areas and sites on council or private land.

Challenges faced

Canopy 2050 is a non-profit organisation which provides free tree saplings and a planting service that relies on volunteers and community support. They hold valuable training and educational services which highlight the need for conservation and the importance of tree growth. Their workshops include tree seed collecting, tree seed extraction and planting methods. From a standing start, they now have 550 volunteers on their books growing trees in their gardens and allotments.

Their start-up challenges included:

• Developing a business structure
• Securing funding to support their tree-growing initiatives and community events
• Raising awareness about the importance of urban trees and their environmental benefits
• Building a network of volunteers to assist with tree planting and maintenance

Solution and Impact

As a startup business, Canopy 2050 is being supported by NBV Enterprise Solutions, a partner in the Accelerator project. Accelerator is delivered by East Midlands Chamber and funded by Broxtowe Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Helene sought guidance from Business Adviser, Raj Raithatha.

Raj provided valuable support to:

• Develop a better understanding of the administration and processes involved as a CIC
• Develop a robust Marketing Strategy and plan to reach their audience
• Explore business planning techniques and the use of tools Like ChatGPT, and Canva
• Explore text-to-video apps to develop and plan online marketing content
• Secure 20 hours of specialist consultancy support using the Chamber’s Growth Voucher offer delivered by Rob Gregory from Magnifica Technologies Ltd. Rob helped Helene develop a modern website

Helene also attended some of the fully funded training sessions available including How to Safely Update your WordPress Website, Getting Started with Employment Contracts, Introduction to Marketing AI and Getting Started with Monthly Accounts.

Canopy 2050 is always seeking new volunteers and donations to help plant more trees. If you're interested in planting trees in your garden or workplace, or if you need advice on tree care, you can contact them for support. They also offer native hedging and tree planting services, as well as tree supplies, to residents in the East Midlands.

Contact Helene via email: info@canopy2050.org or visit the Canopy 2050 website

“Canopy 2050's success story demonstrates the power of business advice for non-profit organisations.

Raj's guidance empowered Canopy 2050 to overcome challenges, start the business, and achieve our environmental goals.

The Growth Voucher paid for the support I got from Rob Gregory whose help has allowed me to develop a website that has helped my business recruit new volunteers, communicate with volunteers and enable donors to contribute online.”

- Helene Laanest, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Broxtowe Borough Council.

Sector: Electrical and Renewables Supplier

Location: South Derbyshire

Swadlincote Electrical Supplies is an independent electrical and renewables supplier located in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire.

Founded in 2004 by Directors Steve Morley and Andrew Jones, they provide electrical products, installation, and renewable energy systems for a range of customers from trade, commercial, industrial, on-line and retail. With 7 staff members, it has been operating for 20 years.

Challenges faced

The business has faced significant challenges, over the years but more recently with the current economic climate, costs have been increasing making it more difficult for the business to compete in the market.

Over the past four years, electricity costs have nearly tripled, presenting a serious barrier to the business's profitability and operational efficiency.

The rise of large, well-known online outlets with substantial buying power has made it difficult to compete in price, especially as these competitors often offer cheaper alternatives.

These challenges have intensified as the industry increasingly focuses on price competition, leaving smaller, independent businesses struggling to maintain market share.

Solution and Impact

As a member of East Midlands Chamber, Steve was made aware of the support available through his local Business Adviser, Sonny Lakhani. Sonny conducted a 1-to-1 business review, addressing the challenges Steve was facing, and provided tailored guidance on the support available through the South Derbyshire Accelerator project.

The Accelerator Project is funded by South Derbyshire District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Steve received a Diagnostic Action Plan for business growth, with a focus on placing "renewables at the heart" of the proposed expansion. This personalised support and advice has proven to be incredibly valuable for the business. They have benefited from a variety of services to improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and drive growth.

Steve accessed the Energy Grant Readiness Workshop, which helped the business establish its carbon baseline and identify areas of improvement. A decarbonisation plan was developed to support implementation of these improvements. The business was also successful in applying for a Decarbonation Grant, with £7,474 awarded to support installation of solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station at their premises. Additionally, Steve had regular meetings with Sonny, receiving essential ongoing guidance.

The impact on the business has been remarkable. It has become significantly more efficient, and with the upcoming installation of solar panels, its carbon footprint will be greatly reduced. The business has also calculated annual electricity savings of £2,973, representing a 61% reduction.

The decarbonisation support has enabled the business to adopt new techniques and processes and they are displaying real time data of energy usage across the business, as well as an interactive monitor showing production and export information. The business has also recruited an additional staff member to promote its new renewable stock lines, which have already seen positive results. The adviser support has played a crucial role in generating ideas for additional revenue streams and development of a new business model.

By embracing these changes, the business has not only improved its financial outlook but also ensured its long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive market.

“From start to finish the level of support and nurturing has been fantastic. A special mention for Sonny Lakhani who has gone above and beyond for my business and made time to visit my premises on a few occasions. The face-to-face meetings have been very helpful, overall I am very pleased with the complete package of support and advice I have received and very grateful for the experience.”

- Steve Morley, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of South Derbyshire District Council.

Sector: Window and Doors

Location: Mansfield

Michael Irwin started Integra Window Systems in February 2016 following a ten-year career in the window and uPVC industry.

Michael initially took up managed office space at Mansfield Innovation Centre to grow the business which supplies high-quality uPVC windows and aluminium bi-folding and sliding doors, primarily to trade customers. To help develop the showroom space and allow better demonstration of its products, in 2023 Integra made a move to the i2 building next door. They have three employees.

Challenges faced

The last few years have been challenging and unsettling for the construction sector; Brexit has caused many issues, particularly around supply. The cost-of-living crisis has led to a reduction in demand in the domestic market and general turmoil in the world has affected the stability of the sector. However, through this time Integra has shown impressive growth culminating in the move to its own showroom.

Their primary route to market has been by developing relationships with fitters and building companies. Initially working on his own, Michael has grown the team to three employees and the team are tasked with raising the profile of the business with key customers – and inviting them to see their impressive range of products in their new showroom.

Solution and Impact

Integra has been supported by the Accelerator Project to help deal with some of the challenges and boost growth. The business was previously helped through the UK Community Renewal Fund to develop a targeted marketing campaign.

Accelerator is funded by Mansfield District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is delivered by East Midlands Chamber. Business Adviser, David Smith has provided one-to-one, personalised advice to Michael over the last few years, including a review of the business to see where they are now and where they want to be. Integra wanted to increase the number of contacts it had with local tradespeople and small construction companies. This has predominantly been won through telesales in the past.

Accelerator offers Growth Vouchers up to £2,500 to use for specialist consultancy or training for businesses in Mansfield. David helped Michael apply for a Growth Voucher which has enabled them to secure training from business development consultant, Charles Barnascone specifically around improving telesales skills and techniques. The outcome of this support has meant that the business is maintaining order levels and has aspirations to grow over the next 12 months.

Michael commented: “Continued growth has enabled us to move to dedicated premises to showcase the products available and in turn increase sales. The current jobs have been safeguarded and we expect by mid-2025 we will be recruiting at least one new member to our team.”

“The support we have received from East Midlands Chamber since 2021 has been invaluable. The Accelerator funding was a huge help but the continued support from David Smith was equally as important to the development of the business.”

- Michael Irwin, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Mansfield District Council.

Sector: Consultancy

Location: High Peak

Skillslocal, located in Furness Vale in the High Peak, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025. It helps ambitious leaders and organisations thrive through various frameworks, coaching, mentoring, and training.

Its signature framework, flourish, supports organisations, leaders, and teams in growing and leading with compassion and purpose. Currently, Skillslocal employs three people and is looking to expand next year.

Challenges faced

For small businesses a big difficulty is keeping up with technology and finding staff with the right skills to support the future of the business. One of the key challenges as a small business owner is that there are only so many hours in the day, explained founder and owner, Tracy Duggan. And while it’s easy to find people with basic admin skills, it's harder to find someone with good digital marketing skills. It’s also expensive to outsource this.

Solution and Impact

Tracy has taken advantage of a diagnostic meeting with a business adviser and several training events from the Accelerator Project. This includes Forecasts: Cashflow and Sales, A Start-ups Guide to Paid Digital Advertising and How to Safely Update your WordPress Website.

The Accelerator project is funded by High Peak Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Tracy also benefitted from a Growth Grant from the Council. This £6,500 grant allowed her to introduce a new CRM, Learner Management System and marketing database which were essential in launching her new flourish framework for forward-thinking, people and purpose-led organisations, and the step up and standout leadership programme for individuals and teams. This funding has been transformative for the business enabling them to build the tools and infrastructure necessary to scale and innovate.

Tracy explained:

“With this support, we’ve introduced a CRM and marketing database revolutionising how we engage with clients and manage our programmes. This transformation means we can now deliver a more streamlined, personalised experience to our clients while ensuring our operations run more efficiently. The funding has also created one new role and safeguarded two roles.

We’re excited to launch our new leadership programme Step Up and Standout, in the new year. This cohort is targeted to empower purpose-led female leaders with the skills, confidence and tools to drive meaningful change in their organisations. The UKSPF funding has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, allowing us to not only develop the programme but also build the infrastructure to market and manage it effectively and efficiently.

Additionally, the investment has enabled us to expand our offering of short courses. These are compliance-led, allowing us to support even more businesses by providing short bite-sized accredited and accessible, focused training on key topics like leadership skills, health and safety, and health and wellbeing. This means we can reach a wider audience, delivering value to organisations of all sizes, supporting growth and development at every level."
 

“The support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been truly transformative for our business. It’s enabled us to take bold steps forward, invest in the tools we need, and bring our vision to life.

I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity, as it’s not only helped us prepare for the launch of our new leadership programme but also expand our reach to support even more businesses through our short courses.

This funding has been a game-changer, and I’m excited to see the impact it will have on the businesses and leaders we support."

- Tracy Duggan, Owner and Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of High Peak Borough Council.

Sector: Industrial Construction

Location: South Derbyshire

Alpha Construction, located in Hilton, South Derbyshire, is a civil engineering and building contractor, specialising in the High Voltage Electricity Industry, Renewable Energy and Industrial projects.

Established in 1982, the company operates nationwide delivering safe, sustainable, and cost-effective tailored solutions to client needs.

The team includes 60 employees, supported by a network of over 90 subcontractors working across office locations and construction sites. Alpha Construction serves a variety of sectors, including Retail & Commercial, Energy, Industrial, Flood Defence and Water, and Material Handling and Waste Management.

Challenges faced

Managing Director Tony Bamford highlighted several challenges impacting the company’s growth. Firstly, like many businesses, Alpha Construction has been significantly affected by the current economic climate, particularly rising costs and inflation. Skills shortages have also been identified, especially within their in-house marketing team, and their ability to effectively promote the business and maintain a competitive edge. Additionally, increased competition from less experienced companies offering unsustainably low prices has made it difficult to secure contracts.

Solution and Impact

Tony discovered the Accelerator Project through the Chamber’s Business Adviser, Sonny Lakhani. Sonny conducted a 1-to-1 business review, discussing the challenges Tony and the business were facing. Sonny was able to provide tailored advice and guidance on support available.

Tony accessed several valuable services including the South Derbyshire Accelerator. The Accelerator Project is funded by South Derbyshire District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Key support services included:

Training Workshops and Webinars

Team members participated in workshops on topics such as Email Marketing, Website Development, AI and ChatGPT, Sales, Sustainability, and Leadership. This training enhanced skills allowing the team to introduce new ways of working and improve efficiencies, saving time and money.

Energy Audit and Decarbonisation Plan

Tony accessed the Energy Grant Readiness Workshop. Part of this support included a comprehensive Energy Audit and development of a Decarbonisation Plan. The business has applied for an Energy Grant to further support sustainability goals. With the planned changes it is projected to save the business up to £6,000 annually in energy costs and reduce carbon emissions by over five tonnes.

Help to Grow: Management Programme

Tony completed the 12-week Help to Grow: Management Programme, a subsided leadership and development course valued at £7,500 which was fully funded through the UK Government and the Chamber. This executive management programme equipped Tony with strategies for steering the business toward sustainable growth.

Digital Skills Coach

Through a partnership with Nottingham Trent University and the Chamber, the business gained access to a fully funded Digital Skills Coach. This support focused on enhancing digital skills within the team enabling them to implement a Social Media Strategy. They are now able to create their own content which has improved engagement with existing clients, potential customers, their valued supply chain and employees. This has positioned the business to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

In conclusion, Tony praised the Chamber and the invaluable support through the Accelerator Project. He emphasised the tailored business advice from Sonny Lakhani has been instrumental in addressing the challenges and opening up new opportunities. The combination of upskilling, sustainability initiatives, and digital coaching has strengthened the business for future growth.
 

“The support from East Midlands Chamber, and in particular Sonny Lakhani, has been instrumental for us to identify our needs and strengthen the foundations of our business in order to produce a sustainable and manageable strategic Business Development plan for resilience and growth.”

- Tony Bamford, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of South Derbyshire District Council.

Sector: Marketing Consultancy

Location: Mansfield

Touchpoints Marketing became a limited company in August 2021. Previously, Managing Director, Vic Taylor ran the business as a sole trader for seven years.

Touchpoints Marketing creates education for entrepreneurs. It supports start-up and scale-up business owners to develop clear marketing strategies to grow and build successfully.

Challenges faced

The business faced grave challenges during COVID-19. At the time, the business was run as a marketing agency and in just one week it lost 98% of its clients! With a change in thinking and a pivot for the business, Touchpoints Marketing decided to create supportive marketing content and give it away. This enabled Vic and her team to see that this was something they enjoyed doing. They also received a great response to the educational content being created for entrepreneurs. This allowed them to build this side of the business and scale down the agency work.

Solution and Impact

The business has taken advantage of one-to-one advice from the Accelerator project’s Peter Lawrence. Accelerator is funded by Mansfield District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Peter conducted a diagnostic with Vic to find out where the business was and where it wanted to go, also outlining grants and funding that might be available.

Focussed time with Peter has helped the business apply for a Growth Voucher to the value of £2,000. This has given Touchpoints Marketing 20 hours of specialist support with consultant Martin Broadhurst who was instrumental in helping set up and create its new Six Figure Niche website: www.sixfigureniche.com, which uses new technology and has a lot of automations. It also allowed them to supercharge the launch of this programme, which is one of four they currently run.

The impact of this support has been the creation of jobs. The business has gone from one full-time and three part-time staff members to three full-time and one part-time now.

“Being able to access someone with digital marketing knowledge has enabled our business to supercharge the launch of Six Figure Niche and enabled us to get that to market quicker. It has ensured the growth of the business by helping us take on two full-time members of staff as a result.”

- Vic Taylor, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Mansfield District Council.

Sector: Manufacturing/ Retail

Location: Bassetlaw

Mud Mate is based in West Stockwith, Bassetlaw and was established in 2018. Owners, Nolan and Louise Freebury began their entrepreneurial journey by providing contract laser engraving and sandblasting services, as well as their own range of engraved giftware.

Over time the business has evolved following the in-house creation, design and development of Mud Mate, an innovative range of portable cleaning kits, and the Kitsack range of sports bags. There are three employees in the business.

Challenges faced

The main challenge for the husband-and-wife team was the lack of in-house marketing skills and being able to attract the customers they wanted. They were unable to compete with the vast advertising reach of their competitors. There was also a desire to improve sales from their website as costs were escalating through third-party sites.

Solution and Impact

Nolan and Louise attended the launch event for the Accelerator project last year. Accelerator is funded by Bassetlaw District Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

The project offers 1-to-1 business advice and they have been working with the Chamber’s Business Adviser, Steve Phillips over the last year. Steve has supported them in creating a new marketing strategy to attract more customers online, from trade shows and markets. Together they identified organisations and groups that could help promote the business by highlighting the benefits of their products.

This, with their product Bio Mate, has led to a collaboration with Paddle UK to help educate paddle sports users about cross-contamination and to help prevent the spread of invasive non-native species (INNS) within the UK’s waterways. In fact, with Bio Mate they recently won the ‘Excellence in Innovation Award’ at the 2024 Nottinghamshire Business Awards organised by the Chamber.

Steve also provided guidance with their application for a £4,000 Growth Grant through Bassetlaw District Council. The grant has enabled the business to purchase a branded mobile display unit that will help promote the brand at the various outdoor trade shows that the company will attend.

Finally, the team has taken advantage of the fully funded workshops from Accelerator including Marketing and Brand Development, How to Master Digital Display & Video Advertising, Getting the most out of Google Analytics and others.

Nolan said: “As a result of the support we will be more competitive and can safeguard our current tally of three full-time employees.”

“The support given has been invaluable and I would recommend any SME in the region to take part in the Accelerator programme.”

- Nolan & Louise Freebury, Directors

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Bassetlaw District Council.

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Gedling

Natalee Onyeche set up her plant-based, natural skincare and wellness business in 2020 and today employs four people.

She has premises in Arnold as well as a website where she sells her skin and body products. Skin Solace also offers candle and soap-making workshops which are bookable online. Her business has evolved to also include management of a local market, by her premises, which has gone from zero to 25 new traders in recent months.

Challenges faced

It's been a challenge for Natalee to keep the retail arm of the business going. Skin Solace products are considered a luxury item, so the cost-of-living crisis has had a major impact on sales. Low income and sales made it difficult for her to employ people, leaving her to manage the shop and restricting her ability to utilise other income streams.

Thinking outside the box, Natalee applied for a market tender to help increase footfall for all the shops in the area. This has been successful in generating income, enabling her to keep the shop open and employ casual support.

Solution and Impact

Natalee has been supported by the Accelerator Project. This is delivered by East Midlands Chamber and funded by Gedling Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

After getting in touch with Council, Natalee heard about the 1-2-1 business support that was available from Accelerator. She has been helped by the Chamber’s Head of Business Support Services, Paul Stuart who conducted a business diagnostic. 

Natalee comments: “Paul supported me to have clarity about what I was doing and why. This brought me back to my original ideas for Skin Solace which were not about retail but more focussed on wholesale. Today I have two new retailers stocking my products and I also create white label bespoke products for other businesses.”

The support has enabled Natale to find the right people to support her business activities and to work in a more streamlined way. It’s given her the focus to go for her goals with confidence and clarity. Natalee has also attended the Gedling Business Support Network to hear about funding and other support available to her business and to network with other local business owners. In addition, the Council has also funded support for Retail Business Advisers which Natalee has taken advantage of through provider, Ovy Design.

Collaborations and new routes to market with Ovy Design

Wendy and Marcus Walker from Ovy Design played a crucial role in supporting Skin Solace by helping Natalee explore new routes to market. Through collaborations with other makers and trade customers, her business was able to access fresh opportunities to complement her high-street shop sales. Natalee remarked: “Thank you for making the time to visit me at my shop yesterday, it was much appreciated and felt motivating”. 

Ovy introduced Natalee to Full Square, a print and promotional gift company, and they are now collaborating to create a bespoke candle range for the client, helping Natalee reach a wider audience through corporate gifts. “This is amazing Claire, thank you. The mock up is so good! I am ready to go!”

She is also speaking with a local Pilates studio and a beauty salon to offer white-label bespoke skincare products. Ovy initiated a collaboration with the Rosie May Foundation to discuss producing a bespoke scented candle for the charity sector, providing new fundraising opportunities. This collaboration also presents an incredible marketing and PR opportunity for Skin Solace, as the Rosie May Foundation is supported by many large corporate businesses in the finance and wealth management sectors, and it attracts a great deal of media coverage.

Additionally, Ovy Design recommended other local retailers to have a market pitch at Natalee's AMP market, encouraging further collaboration and retail support within the high street community. This initiative not only strengthens the relationships among local businesses but also provides another income stream for Natalee, helping to boost footfall and revenue.

These collaborations and strategic partnerships have opened new income streams for Skin Solace, helping Natalee offset the challenges faced by retailers. The introduction to corporate clients and the exploration of white-label opportunities has set Skin Solace on a path to long-term growth and sustainability.

“I feel that everyone should get support. Working for yourself is no mean feat and induces anxiety when there is no guidance or someone to provide a listening ear which helps give a voice to your ideas. I’m very grateful for the support provided so far.”

- Natalee Onyeche, Founder

Read the full Case Study

To learn about the support available, book onto the next Gedling Business Support Network or a free business surgery here.

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Gedling Borough Council.

Sector: Online Retail

Location: Chesterfield

Founded in January 2021 by Annie Johnson, Ellenvale Interiors stands as a beacon of style and sophistication in the realm of soft furnishings.

The inception of this online store was not just a business venture for Annie; it was a passion project driven by a desire to blend the timeless charm of English country designs with the modern aesthetics of today.

The business is already expanding and has recently moved to larger premises based in Bridge Way, Chesterfield. It has three employees.

Challenges faced

Ellenvale Interiors faced a few challenges. The business was using a manual process in the warehouse for labelling, stock control, order processing, fulfilment and despatch. This was quite labour-intensive and left them open to errors. It also restricted their capacity to grow and meet their aspirations to sell their product range into large high-street retailers.

Supply chain problems were also hindering growth; reliability and turnaround time for cushion pads to meet its current customer demand were falling short.

Solution and Impact

Annie has been supported by Business Adviser, Peter Lawrence and the Accelerator Project. Accelerator is funded by Chesterfield Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Through one-to-one adviser support, they have not only identified the current challenges faced by Ellenvale Interiors but also sourced a number of solutions. This includes grant funding, digital processes and international trade support.

The business was successfully awarded a Growth Voucher which enabled them to enlist the support of Rob Gregory from Magnifica. Rob carried out technology and software research and produced recommendations on how to implement these. This included new warehouse hardware and systems to improve productivity.

Peter is also working with Ellenvale to scope and navigate potential Made Smarter and Innovate UK help for specialist manufacturing support and funding to bring cushion-making in-house.

Annie commented: “We have recently introduced new software that will help us streamline our processes and we expect to see more efficient order and despatch turnaround times.

Having the system in place has also led to a new role and is supporting our growth step change to work with well-known high street retailers and wholesalers.”

Annie and some of the team have also taken advantage of the fully funded Accelerator workshops and webinars including Advanced Guide to SEO, Introduction to Marketing AI and ChatGPT, The one-hour Google Ads Course, Champagne Marketing on a Lemonade Budget and more.

“The support from Peter at the Chamber has been invaluable.

It has led us down the right path in terms of finding the correct systems moving forward and it has also helped the whole team in terms of training.

- Annie Johnson, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Sector: Food and Drink

Location: Rushcliffe

Plantlicious Ltd was formed in 2019 and is based in West Bridgford, Nottingham.

When Simon Wills, founder, was faced with his son’s IBS diagnosis, he was inspired to seek natural solutions to improve gut health. His research quickly led him to the power of fibre, a key component for digestion and overall wellness. From this personal journey, Good-Fibes, a fortified prebiotic daily shot, was born; designed to bridge the fibre gap many people unknowingly face.

Challenges faced

Recognising that most adults and children consume just 15-20g of the recommended 30g of fibre daily, Simon envisioned a simple, convenient way to meet this shortfall. Each 60ml shot of Good-Fibes packs over 10g of prebiotic plant-based fibre, along with natural fruit purées, to nourish the gut and promote overall health. However, bringing this innovative product to market required expertise far beyond his knowledge.

Solution and Impact

Enter the Food and Drink Forum*, an Accelerator Project Partner. Simon first connected with the Forum after seeing a post on social media and immediately recognised their value in supporting his new venture.

Accelerator is funded through Rushcliffe Borough Council’s share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Simon’s journey began at the University of Nottingham’s Food Innovation Hub through the Forum’s Innovation Voucher Scheme, where Simon worked closely with experts to develop and perfect the Good-Fibes formulation.

Once the recipe was locked in, the real work began, with the Forum offering critical support in food safety, hygiene, and the intricacies of labelling. Navigating what could and couldn’t be included on the Good-Fibes label was essential to ensuring the product met industry standards, while courses on pricing and production costs allowed Simon to determine ingredient and manufacturing costs, waste management, and market pricing - without sacrificing profitability.

The Food and Drink Forum’s assistance didn’t stop at theoretical learning. Simon was able to develop new flavour combinations and experiment with pasteurisation techniques during two valuable days in the development kitchen at the South West Food Hub in Weston-Super-Mare. This hands-on experience helped fine-tune the product’s shelf life through good pasteurisation processes, ensuring the pH was optimised for stability.

The continued collaboration has been invaluable as Simon investigates sustainable packaging solutions, such as moving from glass bottles to recyclable RPET bottles. This will allow Plantlicious Ltd. to reduce costs and meet consumer and retailer preferences for eco-friendly options.

Simon also credits the Food and Drink Forum for introducing him to marketing strategies through seminars led by Tessa Stuart, author of Flying Off the Shelves and Packed, who offered invaluable insights into positioning Good-Fibes for success in a competitive market.

Though Good-Fibes has yet to officially launch, the support Simon has received through the Accelerator Growth Voucher has been transformative. From development, courses and kitchen trials to ongoing innovation and market preparation, the guidance and resources provided by the Food and Drink Forum have empowered Simon and Plantlicious Ltd. to move confidently toward bringing Good-Fibes to market.

Without the support of the Food and Drink Forum and the Accelerator Voucher scheme Simon says he’s in no doubt that the business would not be at the stage it is due to the amount of funding that would have been required to take it to this stage.

*The Food and Drink Forum has closed but support is still available from East Midlands Chamber and Rushcliffe Borough Council.
 

“The Food and Drink Forum has been incredible. Without their knowledge, support, and the extensive network they’ve connected me with, I would have been at a loss for where to start. Good-Fibes is set for success thanks to their expertise.”

- Simon Wills, Founder

Read the full Case Study

This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Rushcliffe Borough Council.