Enterprise Facilitation Case Studies
Laura Maddocks of Absolute Cleaning Services
Laura Maddocks from Sennen really wanted to run her own business, but also wanted to spend quality time with her children too. By working with an Enterprise Facilitator she found out how she could successfully do both, and make her dreams a reality.
Laura met Rubina Khan from Cornwall Development Company and discussed what she was passionate about and what was really important to her. Laura was a cleaner, but she had never thought of this as a chance to be self-employed and run her own business. Rubina suggested that Laura ask around to see if there was a need for cleaning services in her area. There was a great response, and within six weeks Laura was testing her business out. She named the business ‘Absolute Cleaning Services.’
Absolute Cleaning Services deliver a ‘reliable, trustworthy cleaning service’ for houses, B&Bs, holiday lets, and for special occasions or after building work or parties. Laura is able to run a business doing what she enjoys, and also spend time with her family, which is crucially important to her.
Laura said about Enterprise Facilitation : ‘I’m so pleased I contacted you, as I might still be sitting there wondering, what if? The contacts you’ve given me have been really useful and I don’t feel that I’m on my own, which is quite scary when you’re starting a business. The other thing is that I can keep coming back to you for help when I need it, which is brilliant. I will let more people know about Enterprise Facilitation, that it is free and confidential and that it really works!
‘I think you offer a fantastic service and it's so great to know that if I need some encouragement and experience I can email or call you! It's comforting knowing that there is help and advice available for people like me who have ideas but not always the contacts. If I can help you promote the great work and advice that the Enterprise Facilitation Programme offers in any way, let me know. If you can help people like me then it's fantastic.’
You can find out more about Absolute Cleaning Services on their facebook page or their website.
Ruby June’s Indian Kitchen
June and Andre Hornby run Ruby June’s Indian Kitchen from their home in Nancledra in the South West of Cornwall. The business specialises in curry sauces and snacks using local ingredients, and has grown dramatically in the last 18months. But things were not always going so well. June and Andre had always wanted to work for themselves, but they weren’t enjoying all aspects of it, and they didn’t know where to find help. They wanted to expand but they felt they were in a rut of always working and never being able to do the research needed to progress.
Then they met Rubina Khan, Enterprise Facilitator at Cornwall Development Company and things changed. They discussed how their business worked, what they really wanted to do and achieve, and from there they changed their way of working. June and Andre really wanted to stop making their product at home, and to redesign their packaging and promotional literature. Rubina helped them make this possible, and also assisted their bid to get funding to take the organisation forward--for which they were successful.
June and Andre have said of their relationship with Rubina, their Enterprise Facilitator: ‘It’s been incredible... The journey has been amazing and we know we can always go back to Rubina for help, as she finds us the resources we need, and what’s even better is that the resources are from the local community so we get to boost the local economy.’
They are now looking to develop the business further. Ruby June’s is now working with other local businesses--to design new packaging and advertising, an ecommerce website so their products can be ordered and delivered to anywhere in the UK, and develop their local supply chain of high-quality food using local suppliers.
For contact information for Ruby June’s Indian Kitchen visit their website at http://www.junesindiankitchen.co.uk/
