A. Building Your Business Victorious Programe

 Programme Five – Pending Further Funding!

Funded Projects

Have you ever thought of setting up your own business or social enterprise?

  • Has the Covid Pandemic made you re-evaluate your future? 
  • Have you been made redundant and not sure what to do next?
  • Do you need extra income, or require flexibility when you work?
  • Are you currently not working, recently registered unemployed or long-term out of work?
  • Are you struggling with your health or mental health but still need to earn money to live?
  • Have you any other reason for wanting to set up your own business?
If so, our funded projects are for you.

    Funded Support Projects

    Why not find out about:

    • Our Free Business Start-Up Support Project and how we can help you build a new future
    • How your business can have a community focus that benefits everyone during these difficult times

    Programme Content Details

    Eligibility:

    This project is available to those who are 18+, unemployed or economically inactive (not working), not in education or training who live or want to set up their business in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, subject to availability and evidence criteria being met.

    For example, you may be:

    • A parent who is not working and looking to find a flexible income stream which fits in with family life
    • Retired and need additional income or interest
    • In receipt of benefits and struggling to survive financially
    • Short or Long-term unemployed
    • Not working due to life and work limiting mental and physical health conditions and require flexible working conditions
    • Ex-service personnel and looking for new horizons within civvy street
    • Not be working and looking to do something new
    • Redundant from your previous employer

    If you are not working and interested in pursuing a business, get in touch.

    If self-employment turns out not to be the right fit for you, we will support you to to find employment, should this be a suitable option for you.

    Building Your Business Victorious

    Programme 4 is starting in July 2022, but if you want to start early get in touch now. 

    FUNDED PROJECTS

    PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

    Building Your Business Victorious Programme Participant 2022

    Sour Demon Doll

    Ashleigh Sharkey

     

    Feedback from Programme 3 BYBV Participant 2022

    Sour Demon Doll

    Ashleigh Sharkey

     

    Social Heart CIC’s ‘Building Your Business Victorious’ programme has been a life changer. Nicky has given me the help, information and guidance to start my journey of self employment.

    I have learned valuable transferable skills in my time with Social Heart CIC which I will be eternally grateful for! I have been fully supported throughout. This has let me realise my potential, which before these sessions, I doubted my ability to achieve.

    I really feel I have exceeded my own expectations of myself through Nicky’s support and encouragement.

    I’ve always wanted to pursue art as a career, but never knew the right way to go about such a thing. I’ve had many ideas, plans and dreams of such but never took action on them, until now.

    Nicky’s support was delivered beautifully, she’s very knowledgeable, caring, kind and adaptable. I found having such an understanding coach extremely valuable.

    I enjoyed being able to share ideas for my business and received professional feedback and praise where it was due! I learned of other participants success to reassure that I was fully able to achieve my dreams if you put the work in and know the right route. The training sessions were also fun and engaging.

    I am currently awaiting on information back regarding funding, but have managed to put together a business plan, I’m working on a website Sourdemondoll.com. The art merchandise I will be focusing on to begin with will be stationery/stickers/greetings cards.

    Feedback from Programme 2 BYBV Participant 2021

    This programme has really been incredible for me and I am truly grateful to have received the mentorship from Nicky.

    Nicky has gone above and beyond to nurture and support my growth as a young entrepreneur. Nicky has been professional, consistent, and friendly/welcoming from the offset. I felt instantly at ease working with Nicky and knew that she was THE mentor for me.

    It is rare to find a mentor that you can click with like this but I am truly grateful to have this level of mentorship that has enabled me to take my power and control back.  I feel like Nicky has really helped me to get back in the drivers seat again and for that I am very priviledged.

    I feel like as the programme has come closer to the end, I have finally discovered the kind of work I would like to deliver – after 9 years of wondering how to get to this position, it has finally happened – organically.

    Today we discussed my latest project video shoot and how it went. I am really happy and the fact that I conducted an analysis already of what worked and what didn’t is a good sign for me. I am critically thinking now on how I can make everything better and water tight going forward.

    I want to take Nicky’s advice and be that person and change in the industry – I want to make things professional and efficient. It’s time to take things to the next level now and I feel like I am finishing this programme feeling more motivated than ever before.

    Thank you for being the best mentor Nicky – I look forward to booking in with y ou as a paying mentee soon!

    Best wishes

    Levan Peart

    Blackout Dance Camp CIC

    Feedback from Programme 2 BYBV Participant 2021

    I feel compelled to share how much of an impact this course has made on me.

    The wonderful people I have connected with is amazing. It’s helped me to go beyond my comfort zone and is helping me tremendously towards trusting people again. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it, but I do.

    Nicky has reached out in ways that I will never be able to express. I am beginning to feel like me again. I feel more hopeful of the future. I ended up really opening up to Nicky in a in-depth way. Really find her easy to talk to she gave me support which I am truly thankful for.

    Really enjoyed this course, a lot of positive things happening. This course has really impacted me in many ways, ways of which has given me hope.

    I am determined to make my future a bright and positive one, but felt quite emotional as it being the last session. This course has uplifted my confidence, I have got this.

    Nicky has been exceptional in all her knowledge and experience she has been professional the way through. It’s certainly left a mark on my life. Making new friends soaking up all the information.

    Nicky has made sure that we are comfortable and assured we have understood every aspect.

    Thank You doesn’t seem enough.

    Pam Metcalfe

    Feedback from Programme 2 BYBV Participant 2021

    Hi my name is Beth Abbott and I started working with Nicky in Feb of this year.

    I had wanted to run a Community Interest Company for a very long time and Nicky helped me to grow in confidence as well as giving me lots of inspiring advice along the way.

    Nicky helped me to see my worth and what a positive impact my CIC will be able to have on other people in addiction and since working with Nicky I grew in confidence enough to be able to approach the High Sherrif of Shropshire, who is now helping with getting our CIC’s voice heard and hopefully into more schools.

    I have set myself targets and stuck to them and although with covid there have been a lot more obstacles to face along the way I know that this is exactly what I want to do in life and I am achieving dreams I have wanted to achieve for years.

    So, if there is something holding you back from trying, please get in touch with Nicky and see where your pipe line dream may lead to, you really do have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

    Beth Abbott

    Feedback from Programme 2 BYBV Participant 2021

    It has been a busy couple of weeks, Nicky has taught me the skills and motivation techniques to keep me going and stay resilient. I am feeling well rehearsed with online applications, CV altering and cover letter writing.

    I find that the more I apply for and ‘catalogue’ (typing out and saving application questions and my responses) the easier the next application becomes. I have built a ‘catalogue’ of responses and future scripted answers that I am really proud of and feel confident in using.

    I can see definite progression from some of my earlier application responses when compared with the material I use now. I also find myself applying for more niche positions and I believe this is due to having this catalogue as I feel less pressure on how big the applications are and how long they will take me to complete.

    My confidence has grown and so has the variations of positions I apply for as I am more self assured of my own value and abilities. I had found the XXX application through Facebook as an old school friend had posted explaining that the Telford and Shrewsbury site were joining due to the success of the company and that they would be taking on new staff with the expansion. I messaged her and was forwarded her line managers email, I sent them my CV and cover letter. I was offered a phone call interview a few days later and was called the following day to be offered the position.

    Nicky had said that things can happen in mysterious ways, to stay open minded and to look at everything as a potential opportunity. She was right! I can’t thank Nicky enough! The time she has been able to give me has been invaluable. We were talking about how far I have come since we began working together. I couldn’t have done any of this without her.

    The skills, techniques, motivation, confidence and knowledge she has given me has helped me to procure a new job. She has also supported me to understand the importance of a healthy work / life balance and what good mental health looks like.

    I feel I am now prepared for my new career as well as keeping healthy and working towards getting my first home. Thank you, Nicky!

    Participant Number 17243

    Feedback From Participants

    Let me begin by saying that whatever your personal, financial, mental or emotional state, or indeed your current skills/experience in starting or running a business, you WILL benefit from enrolling in this course.
    I came to it having been referred by my counsellor while receiving therapy for long term clinical depression and social anxiety issues so if I can complete this course, anyone can.
    I urge you at the very least to try.
    Nicky, in my opinion, is a ‘one of a kind’ facilitator because she has not only managed to put together the perfect starter package to get your business idea off the ground she’s done it in such a supportive and encouraging way as to make you feel not only validated professionally but also personally.
    There are weekly meetings to attend (via Zoom under the current Covid restrictions) and tasks to complete but you will never be pressured into participating in these with the caveat that you will DEFINITELY get more out of the experience if you do. And trust me when I say it’s not as scary as it sounds.
    Nicky has a passion for promoting a business model based on doing what you love and has the skill, patience, understanding and empathy to make it feel as though the entire course was tailored to YOUR needs and YOUR ideas and never feels like a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
    It’s rare these days to find someone with the ability to ‘see’ someone else’s vision and, through encouragement, support and warmth, help you deliver it and make it real.
    Thank you Nicky for not only choosing to help people realise their dreams in this way but also for being just an all round smasher of a person.

    Participant Number 15817

    Feedback From Participants

    This programme and being coached and advised by Nicky Kent has helped me progress significantly in my business journey. Nicky was instrumental in navigating through the incorporation process of my Community Interest Company (CIC) and her support throughout has been very valuable. I would recommend both Nicky and Building Your Business Victorious to others.

    Participant Number 15538

    The Building Business Victorious Programme has given me focus, it’s turned my idea from ‘I want to this’ to ‘I am doing this’

    Participant Number 15832

    This course has been fundamental in me being able to focus and order my actions to set strong foundations for my new business. I’ve been able to achieve far more than I expected as a result of the workshops and guidance from Nicky. I’m delighted I’ve been able to start trading so quickly after starting the course, and am excited for the future. Huge thanks.

    Participant Number 15818

    This course has been incredibly valuable to me and I am so happy I was given the chance to be a student on the course.

    I have made some friends and feel so much happier in my business and personal life.

    Nicky has been a wonderful teacher and I feel so grateful to have met her. She has helped me a lot over the length of the course and has made sure that I’m ready for anything now that the course is done.

    Participant Number 15503

    A. Building Your Business Victorious Project

    The Funders

    European Social Fund

    B. Building A Sustainable Business Project

    Currently Closed To New Applicants, Pending Further Funding

    The Funders

     

    Community Fund

    Business Idea

    Vision

    Planning

    Getting Clarity

    Business Start-Up

    FUNDED PROJECTS