Outset Success Stories
Liz Linfield turned her passion for vintage knitting machines and designing unique clothing into a successful business…
Brothers Graham and Tony Childs are the mechanics and brains behind the fast-growing GC Bike Repairs, which began life in 2019 operating from Graham’s garage…
Do you have bad habits? Kat Thorne knows all too well the impact of pushing hard to achieve results and not looking after yourself…
Yob & Yag is a distinctive business which holds great personal meaning for Craig Maxwell, who spent many years as a graphic designer working in creative design agencies in London….
Helen Richards worked in challenging environments, having spent her early career in the Royal Navy and then Hampshire Constabulary….
Three things prompted Carly Cannings to set up her new business, The Happy Business School, in January 2022. The first was the realisation that having climbed the corporate ladder in her legal career, she was left unexpectedly dissatisfied…
Having studied graphic design at university, Michael Hawkins co-founded a design agency which he ran successfully for ten years. A passion for food gradually became more of an obsession as he taught himself to cure and smoke foods which then progressed into pasta making during the national lockdowns…
After 6 years working for a furniture manufacturing company, and a further 6 years for a busy upholstery business, it was during COVID that Lesley decided she wanted to be her own boss….
Guided walking tours needed a shakeup. And it was Jack Wells of Mystery Guides who did exactly that…
With a talent for making pizzas, Greg’s business story started 10 years ago when he began selling his delicious woodfired pizzas from his van…
Having worked in retail for most of her career, Lucy Reynolds made a decision to set up her own wine business in Southsea….
The Covid pandemic meant a long stint of remote working for Naomi Wisbey and an opportunity to learn how to make some seriously good bread…
Plymouth based co- founders Jason Skelton and Elise Wilkes Brand both had backgrounds in the architectural profession and a real desire to help their local community…
An illustrator and artist by trade, Beth sells plantable greeting cards on seed paper via Etsy and wholesale through local gift shops…
Based in Plymouth, The Diversity Business Incubator CIC is a business hub for minority ethnicity entrepreneurs. It has a vision to lead innovation in start-ups and entrepreneurship for the BAME community in the city and more widely across Devon…
Elly Harvey Silver was helped by Outset Dorset to increase her social media skills to reach more customers online….
“During the Outset programme the opportunities I had to practice presenting and pitching the business and develop my brand values have really benefitted me in promoting the business now.”…
Gayleen Hodson loved to write, but it was the support from Outset Dorset that gave her the courage to pursue it as a full-time career…
“The support of the Outset team gave me reassurance and the confidence to believe that I had taken the steps needed to make it a success.”…
Having recently returned to the UK from Australia Justin Moyle wanted to set up a coffee shop with a twist…
A career as Development Director, fundraising in education settings and supporting expectant and new mothers plus her experience as the parent of two young energetic girls, was the inspiration for Sofee – an innovative new play sofa which offers “creative play made simple” …
“Even though the course was all online, I really liked the idea of the programme being targeted to my local area, as I knew it would be a good place to start building up local contacts and networks.”…
“COVID-19 brought us together and now we are launching our new business to help charities around the world.”…
“The Outset team was so supportive, I always felt I could make a quick call to one of the business advisors and get help with any issue I came across.”…
“One of the things that Outset helped me to recognise was the importance of meeting other entrepreneurs and networking to share experiences and learning.”…
“I knew that a comprehensive business course like Outset’s would close the gaps in my knowledge, so I signed up, and I’m very glad I did.”…
“The expertise of the Outset team has been great at helping me to narrow down my focus into realistic and actionable steps.”…
“Outset Cornwall has really helped make this project a reality. I attempted college and university in the past and didn’t get too far, but Outset was far more realistic and practical for what I required.”…
“I wouldn’t be where I am now without the Outset Programme. The workshops have been absolutely amazing, they have given me confidence and made me focus on how I plan for my business.” …
“Outset has been really motivational; each session gets me so excited about my business and makes me feel like I’m really onto something.”…
“I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit so it was inevitable that I would run my own business,” Find out Marjorie’s story…
“The workshop helped me in terms of understanding the basic principles of sales and marketing time and who my customers are.” Read about Martin Frimet’s journey here…
“I would definitely recommend Outset Cornwall; it’s a free resource packed full of information and ideas”….
“Attending Outset’s start-up course was great, as it gave me focus and showed me the way to move forward.”…
Cynthia and Maxime Bell, of Pointe Perfection, identified a gap in the local market for a dance shop supplying pointe shoes…
Louise Joachim, of Wendy House Flowers, offers event planning, hire services, floral arrangements and landscape design and maintenance
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James and Ed of The Visual Drop specialise in producing art and design works in the form of large scale murals and signage…
Bonny Prim, a Health & Wellbeing Coach, provides a service to people who wish to improve their health…
“Just go for it – there will never be the perfect time” – Read about Siobhan Mears’ journey in creating her business, Vantage VA, after a 15-year successful career as an Executive Assistant….
“The Outset team were so friendly and approachable, and they helped to build my self-confidence and keep me focused when it was needed.”…
Aleksandra Sasha Horwood, tells us how she set up Happy Stance Yoga Therapy, after being made redundant….
Tracey Louis Fernand, founder of Mothering the Mother, explains how a couple of chance encounters on a train led her to start her own business….
A change in legislation prompted Tom Skinner to set up a company tailoring their financial services to the individual needs of their clients…
Cycle Spirit is a new concept in the cycling world as it focuses on the City & Commuter cyclist being based in Waltham Forest – find out more…
Learn how Ash Dey, went from nearing burn-out in a demanding technology consultancy role to starting-up his own business providing workplace wellbeing services…
“Outset is the perfect place for people who want to start their own business. They have helped me every step of the way.”…
“Outset has always been very supportive. I feel I can always contact them for friendly and reliable advice”…
“Attending Outset’s start-up course was great, as it gave me focus and showed me the way to move forward.”…
“Outset offer an outstanding array of business workshops in an informal, friendly and empowering environment.”…
“Outset is brilliant. Every member of the team is like one big support network. Outset gave us the confidence to start our own business.”…
“I was blown away by the level of support on offer. Starting your own business is an exciting and unknown adventure. Just go for it!”…
“Outset’s team of expert business advisors are excellent. Their tailored advice and support has been extremely useful.”…
“I think the best thing about running your own business is realising your own potential, when ‘I can do this’ becomes ‘I am doing it’.”…
“Being able to take a step back and put things in perspective gives you the opportunity to re-evaluate your life.”…
“My best decision by far was to contact Outset. They have helped me with business advice, from accounting to website design.”…