SOME OF OUR SUCCESS STORIES
Where was the business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
I needed support on how to take my business to the market, making specialist chocolates and confections.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
I started the BBH programme in June 2018, and soon realised there were a few steps I needed to take but most importantly, I had to work on changing my mindset.
Anna and Geoff also supported me with 1-2-1 mentoring which was invaluable.
What is the next step to success for you?
I’ve now started to trade and I’m concentrating on building my brand. Although I’m currently working on my own, I hope to employ somebody in the near future.
At this point in time it would be helpful to have more support with building my customer base.
Where was your business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
I had spotted a gap in the footwear market and decided to fill it with beautiful shoes in larger sizes.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
After completing the 3-day StartUp and Go Bootcamp, I enrolled in the Building Business Horizons programme.
I also took the opportunity to sign up to the 1-2-1 mentoring service that helped me to set targets and assisted with advice in unfamiliar areas of business.
What is the next step to success for you?
I’m now at the stage of having sample shoe lasts made (the moulds used for shoe making), and then my first shoe samples.
I’m really looking forward to progressing on to the next stages, with the continued help and support from the Start-Up Croydon and BBH teams.
Where was the business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
I really didn’t know where to start and what I needed to consider.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
I participated in the 3-Day StartUp & Go Bootcamp in September 2020, followed by enrolment in the Building Business Horizons course in the spring of 2021.
Now I have my business plan which is a living breathing and evolving road map. I use it as a reference point, and I am confident and excited about my business.
What is the next step to success for you?
Going forwards, it would be helpful to network with businesses that are already trading, including a Director from previous cohorts and it would be good to connect with a local designer for example.
Where was the business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
As a result of knife crime and as the mother of a victim and a perpetrator, I had a vision to create and deliver a core program to support families affected by youth violence.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
The SEEK and the BBH programmes motivated me to act proactively rather than be reactive. My case study was used to support StartUp Croydon to win a National Award.
What is the next step to success for you?
I’m now an entrepreneur who runs workshops in schools, prisons and is invited to deliver keynote speeches for other organisations, with more projects in the pipeline.
Where was the business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
I was expecting my first child when the lack of support for pregnant women gave me the idea to set up Natural Kinetics.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
The Bootcamp helped me find my focus being around other entrepreneurs and BBH helped me see my idea as an actual profitable and functioning business.
What is the next step to success for you?
During the pandemic I began doing online classes and I will continue to provide these alongside the in-person sessions.
Even after finishing the course the support has been non-stop and the team are with me every step of the way.
Where was your business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
I was at the inception stage, with some sample products.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
I got on board with the 3-day business Bootcamp, followed by Building Business Horizons and I’m currently being mentored by Bonnie, which is going well.
What is the next step to success for you?
I’m currently trading as a sole trader. I haven’t met my targets yet but I’m seeking marketing support.
How can StartUp Croydon help you further?
Mainly with emotional support.
Youth PWR is a youth development and empowerment organisation set up to engage, inspire and educate young people, providing activities and skills development programmes beneficial to young people.
Where was your business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
We were looking for a professional workplace to take the business forwards.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
The team at Weatherill House were super friendly and have been extremely helpful in supporting our business, which has enabled us to grow since joining in 2019.
What is the next step to success for you?
To widen our scope and develop more programmes that will encourage young people to have confidence in themselves and their abilities.
How can StartUp Croydon help you further?
With access to Start Up Croydon’s training and networking events, we continue to be exposed to opportunities that benefit our business.
An idea created by Charmaine several years ago when her own daughter needed to stay in hospital, this is a charity for desperately sick children, that supplies pyjamas and handmade hearts to hospitals, hospices, and women’s refuges locally.
Where was your business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
We were struggling with storage and needed a space to run our operation, together with re-packaging. Somewhere that had heating, lighting and air conditioning.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
Saffron Saunders, CEO, spoke to us personally and advised us on ways in which we might be able to take the charity to the next level.
We also received help from other companies within the building when our courier went out of business and was no longer able to offer free deliveries to us.
What is the next step to success for you?
I now intend to progress the charity further and I’m looking for funding to make that a possibility, particularly as I’m currently looking after my daughter and holding down a job, whilst acting as a volunteer for my business.
How can StartUp Croydon help you further?
As the charity gains momentum, I’ll need to find more ways of raising funds through grants or donations.
Since 2018 ALJ LDN has supported business from various industries such as construction, retail & education. With services such as business optimisation which identifies and implements new systems and processes that ensure businesses are more efficient and cost effective.
Where was your business when you met us at StartUp Croydon?
Initially I was solely trading for home. The Launch Pad Service at Weatherill House was so affordable, it meant I could keep my costs down while developing a professional company image.
What help did you receive from StartUp Croydon?
The support from StartUp Croydon has been invaluable and has helped me with the growth of my business. I’ve moved into one of their office units and love being a part of the business community StartUp Croydon has cultivated.
What is the next step to success for you?
Moving forwards, I will continue to scale my business and employ more staff. while also offering operations training.
How can StartUp Croydon help you further?
By continuing to support me with an affordable rental package and free meeting room hire.