Success Stories
Have a look at our success stories to see how Outset Cornwall is proving to be such a success in helping fledgling businesses throughout the region.
A first class honors Psychology degree graduate has not let her health condition deter her from following her dream and setting up a business to help others who are also in need of daily assistance.
Helen Pearson – The Apple Tree Cafe
A love for her local community has led a woman facing redundancy for the third time since moving to Cornwall to create a café with a difference near Lands End. Following 25 years in nursing Helen Pearson decided that it was time she took her destiny into her own hands after facing unemployment again, and opened the Apple Tree Café.
Martine Knight – Grave Concerns
When life took an unexpected turn for Martine Knight she decided it was time to reassess her life and goals.
Rowena Koning – Footsteps Solutions
Professionally qualified money and debt advisor Rowena Koning knows first hand how money worries can affect people. She hopes to use her blend of people skills, sensitivity, and sense of humour to help those facing financial troubles.
Caroline Robinson – Clear Mapping Company
Finding your way in business has never been an easy task but one woman has used her accumulated talents to map a path to a better future.
Kerry Jago and Ant Barrett – This Life Media
Collaboration and working in partnership can be a great way of creating a dynamic and exciting new business. This is certainly the case for photographer Kerry Jago and film and media specialist Ant Barrett whose inspiration came from the realisation that combining their expert experience and ability could be the secret ingredient needed to launching a successful new business.
Martyn Atkins – Martyn Atkins IT Consultancy
Unemployment can be a daunting prospect for anyone, but this wasn’t the case for IT wiz, Martyn Atkins. Martyn’s desire to help people understand technology and their computers influenced his decision to go it alone and take the steps to setting up his own business.
Creating a job that fits more flexibly around a young family is a very common incentive for want to work self-employed or start your own business, and following an eclectic career comprising a nursery nurse, station chargehand, hotel receptionist, working in an art shop, social health at Cornwall Council and also a skin-care manufacturer for Trevarno Organic Skincare, Liz finally found her passion with the help of Outset Cornwall.
Sylvan Frith – Esscentual Fragrances
A well-loved Star Wars character’s words helped Sylvan Frith to follow her dreams when she returned to Cornwall following the end of her contract as a bid writer and marketing executive for a language company in London.
Emma Skilton – Limited Edition Bags
Emma Skilton has set herself a new rhythm to dance to in business with the launch of her second company in six years. But they couldn’t be more far apart while at the same time being closely linked through Emma’s love of art and design.
Debbie Mulford-Joy – Sky Blue River Coaching and Therapy
With a passion and drive to use her skills, knowledge and experience to help people overcome hurdles and difficulties and move forward with positivity, health and wellbeing Debbie Mulford-Joy was delighted to discover that Outset Cornwall was just the thing to help her on her own journey.
Jenny Bagnall – Scilly Celebrations
Working part-time as a Community Relations Officer for the Council of the Isles of Scilly and with a long work-history comprising 13 years in the Royal Navy and 3 years at the Scottish Borders Council, Jenny is no stranger to organisational roles. Having been part of the team responsible for the organisation of the major televised D-Day 50th Anniversary Project in 1994 hosted by the Royal Family and Heads of State, and now organizes high-profile public events on the islands, Jenny admits that she is “an accomplished organizer who excels under pressure and has an innovative approach to problem solving.”
When Joanne Upton found herself redundant from her job while on maternity leave she decided it was time to take the plunge into self-employment so that she could continue in the work she loved.
Pauline Davies – Plus One Support and Therapy Services
“Upcoming, innovative and out there is how I would describe my new business, Plus One Support and Therapy Services”, smiled Outset Cornwall entrepreneur, Pauline Davies.
Richard Waring – Liquid Sound Electronics
As a registered Haemophiliac, electronics expert Richard Waring has had a lifetime of medical complications which resulted in numerous hospital admissions and, as a consequence to his condition, chronic arthritis. A college lecturer in electronics, Richard received news in the early 1990s that the new treatment introduced to help him lead a more normal life was contaminated with Hepatitis B and C, and that his prognosis was not great.
Lucy Thornton – Perfect Balance Marketing
Having worked in Marketing for 11 years as an employee, Lucy had long been toying with the idea of going free-lance and using her extensive skills to help small businesses develop their marketing and social media strategies. Although not unhappy in her job, she felt that she had more to give and wanted to follow her heart. An event on International Women’s Day in March 2011 hosted by Outset formed the unexpected catalyst for Lucy’s new adventure to begin.
John Hammond – Evolution Training South West Ltd
Having spent 20 years in post 16 education, maintaining responsibility for the design and implementation of various courses in both formal and informal teaching and training, unemployment was not something that John was used to or comfortable with when it struck. With a real lack of suitable jobs available in the county, but a passion to stay living in South East Cornwall, John started seeking advice on what to do next.
Jane Edwards – Reiki Practitioner
“I used to be a chef, but really felt that something was missing – something I couldn’t put my finger on!” says Jane; a comment we often here at Outset when asking why clients have chosen to move into self-employment. “I needed a complete change of direction!”
Steve Patterson – Peak Awareness
We’ve all heard the adage that ‘laughter is the best medicine’, and for Outset Cornwall client Steve Patterson, laughter has provided a unique and smile-raising opportunity that may just help people to achieve their true potential.
Robert Peters – Potpig Woodburners
The UK’s cold winters are very rarely associated with something positive and life-changing but, for Robert Peters, one particular cold winter was the catalyst for him to make a woodburner to help keep his father-in-law warm. The woodburner fast became a popular conversation topic, and led Robert to consider making these for other people, maybe even as a new business.
It is great to capture an event with a professional-looking photograph. Children’s sports days, parties, special events, even a good night out, but often it is the wait for prints to come through, or the cost of having a professional photographer attend your event that puts people off.
For JNP Events, understanding these frustrations provided them with the perfect business idea, combining their impressive joint expertise in national photographic journalism, event management and PR, to create a very unique new service.
Having cut her teeth as an Art Director on well-known television shows, Ruth started to take commissions for interior design projects in London as a sideline that would allow her to exercise her artistic side fully. As well as offering her the creative outlet she so craved, it also proved to her that this was perhaps the direction her career should take.
Sharyn Williams and Pauline Giles – Cupcakes and Pupcakes
Once upon a time there lived a pub landlady and a holistic and beauty therapist who had the most unusual idea. Fed up with nutritionless dog treats for their animal friends, and also wanting top quality treats for their human owners, Sharyn Williams and Pauline Giles decided to launch their own business. Fuelled by their complementary skills and passions, Cupcakes and Pupcakes was born; a new concept in animal treats.
Mike Lovegrove – The Penzance Wheelchair Project
“I am desperate for new information, all the time!” says Mike when asked to describe himself. “I will never be too old or too smart to learn something new.”
Having worked in the hotel and restaurant trade for 15 years, Ben Hawkins is no stranger to fine food. In fact, his insatiable passion for good quality food was the driving force behind new bakery and business Da Bara, which Ben started with his brother, Tim, in early-2011.
Charlie Ratcliffe – Flash Film and Print
A new baby can be a trying time for most mums, but when that baby has a heart condition, life as you know it is turned upside down. This was Charlie’s story when her baby was born 6 years ago.
Amy Lovegrove – Nurturing Hands
Being a parent to a young baby or child can be a lonely and daunting experience, especially if you do not have a close network around you to lean on for the most basic of support. Not getting the right support can be detrimental to both the health of the child and its parents, however, this is the situation for many families in Cornwall, and one that owner of new company, Nurturing Hands, is all too familiar with.
As one of Outset’s more experienced clients, Russ joined the programme with over 21 years’ experience of running his own business and being self-employed. Following the start of the recession, however, issues with staff and then a major theft took their toll, and his business was forced to close down. This very nearly took away all of Russ’ confidence in running his own enterprise.
Having made the move to Cornwall, Gemma found she was missing her London yoga centre, teachers and regular yoga practice, so set about trying to find some good online video’s to keep her inspired in her practice and perhaps find a new local centre. Little did she know this would lead to a whole new adventure!
Mike Dennick – MD Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners
Having had a successful career as a lorry driver, catering manager and most recently a builder, Newquay-based surfer, Mike Dennick found his life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with Cancer and forced to leave his employment. Recovery was a long, slow process with severe side-effects which meant that coming back to familiar employment was no longer an option.
Following completion of her degree, Gemma faced the old age question of what to do next. Unemployed, and living in Cornwall, with a flair and passion for painting and making bridal-wear accessories she started considering the idea of starting up her own brand and working for herself.
Ill health took its final toll on Tina in 1997 when she was forced to give up work and take care of herself. Having worked in several sectors throughout her life, she had plenty of experience within offices, bars and catering establishments, but no longer had the physical capacity on a regular basis to maintain a 9 – 5.
Tony Sampson – Newquay Home Electrics
Two years ago, Outset client Tony Sampson was dealing with redundancy. Today, he owns and runs his own business, has already launched a sister company, created 10 new jobs and is forecasting a turnover of almost £1million in 2012.
Vaughan Haynes – Hogswood Brewing Co.
The prospect of being made redundant is one that all too many Cornish people are either facing, or have faced in the last 12 months. A symptom of the economic downturn, but a very real challenge for those who had successful careers in area specialisms that are either in decline or niche demand.
Women are widely considered under-represented in business right across the UK which is why it is always lovely to hear the success stories of some our County’s most entrepreneurial and determined women, who are making a real success of their chosen careers.
Jasmine Saint – Cornish Balms and Crafts
Once a self-employed clothing designer for Harvey Nichols, Browns, Lord and Taylor New York, Jasmine left the corporate world to raise her children, and moved to Cornwall following a divorce in the 1980’s.
Terry and TJ Drake – Foresight Solutions
We’ve heard it all before haven’t we; kids flown the nest and mum and dad want a new challenge. Common enough, but how many decide to embark on something as epic as uprooting and relocating to the other side of the Country with an objective to start their own business?
“I am an artist that suffers from too many ideas!” says Jayne in explanation of her inspiration for this business and her strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Gail Sharman – Gail Sharman Illustrations
What started as a home-made present to her son has become a business brimming with potential for mum-of-two Gail Sharman.
Smart Savings, based in Redruth, is a community interest company aiming to tackle debt in Cornwall. Working on behalf of her clients, which can include vulnerable adults and people with low income, founder Jane Jiwa claims back the fees charged by banks and building societies for going past an overdraft limit.
