Case Studies

Background

WorkWise was founded by Mark Renwick after many years working in digital project management and website design. Throughout his career, Mark discovered that the part he enjoyed most wasn’t simply delivering digital projects – it was helping people turn ideas into something structured, practical and achievable.

With extensive experience bridging the gap between technical teams and non‑technical decision makers, he saw how often small business owners felt overwhelmed by their digital responsibilities. Starting WorkWise gave him the freedom to focus on meaningful projects and long‑term relationships, offering a calm, personal and flexible approach that small businesses often struggle to find.

Support

WorkWise specialises in simplifying the digital world for small businesses through two core service pathways: full end‑to‑end website planning, design and build, and ongoing website management. Mark’s aim is to take the pressure off clients so they can focus on running and growing their business rather than wrestling with technology or admin.

During the early stages of shaping WorkWise, support from the hive provided helpful reassurance and space to refine his direction. As Mark reflects, “I wanted the freedom to choose projects that genuinely made a difference… Starting my own business allowed me to combine my experience with a more personal, flexible approach.” the hive’s guidance complemented his own vision, offering encouragement without steering the business away from what he knew it needed to be.

The experience

Running WorkWise has given Mark the opportunity to work closely with clients and see the real impact of the support he provides. One of the most rewarding aspects for him is watching clients gain confidence in their websites and understand the potential of their digital presence. As he puts it, “Helping someone feel more confident with their website, and understanding its potential, is incredibly rewarding.”

He also values the flexibility that comes with running his own business. It allows him to shape his workload around his life, prioritise quality over quantity and choose projects that align with his values. Every client brings something different, keeping the work varied, engaging and full of opportunities to learn while delivering meaningful, practical support that genuinely helps businesses move forward.

Background

After 27 years in the same career, Jen felt it was time for a change. Her lifelong love of exercise had been a vital tool in managing both menopause and depression, and she recognised how transformative it could be for other women going through similar experiences. This realisation led to the creation of JENergy Limited, a personal training business launched in May 2025, dedicated to helping peri and post-menopausal women improve their physical and emotional well-being through tailored fitness programmes.

JENergy is built around a personalised approach, offering one-to-one training in Jen’s private home gym. Her programmes focus on improving strength, balance, and flexibility, while addressing key health concerns such as bone density, heart health, muscle loss, and weight gain -all commonly associated with menopause.

Support

Jen received extensive support when setting up her business from the hive. “The guidance was instrumental in helping navigate the practicalities of launching a business – from registering with the right authorities to developing marketing strategies and designing the website”.

One of the most valuable lessons Jen learned was how to optimise her website for search engines, ensuring it ranked highly and remained visible in a competitive industry. the hive also provided advice on saving money, accessing further resources, and offered ongoing moral support throughout the process.

Jen encourages anyone considering starting a business to seek out similar support:

“Definitely use the hive. I don’t think I’d have achieved so much without it. I was taught how to make sure my website came up top in a search and how to keep it there. Completely invaluable advice when you’re in a competitive industry”.

The experience

Since launching JENergy, Jen has found immense satisfaction in being her own boss. She enjoys the freedom to set her own hours, the sense of achievement that comes from building something meaningful, and most of all, the opportunity to help others. Seeing the positive impact her work has on women’s lives- both physically and emotionally- has been the most rewarding part of her journey.

Looking ahead, Jen remains committed to expanding her reach and continuing to support women through their fitness, wellness, and nutrition journeys. Her dream is to empower more women to thrive during menopause and beyond, using strength training as a powerful tool for transformation.

Background

Founded in 2019, Clean Vision Ltd is a cleaning business based in Weston-super-Mare established by Chloe, who sought a flexible career to support her family. With a passion for cleaning and an interest in running her own company, she set up the business to offer reliable, eco-friendly services. Before launching Clean Vision, Chloe worked in sales administration, spent time travelling, and later became a mother, leading her to seek a career that suited her lifestyle.

Support

Chloe received invaluable guidance from the hive while setting up her business, which played a crucial role in Clean Vision Ltd’s success. She completed the 3-day Starting in Business course, which equipped her with essential insights into business planning, financial management, and market strategy.

“the hive was great, I did the 3-day course and had lots of support from Liz who helped with my business plan.”

Additionally, Chloe benefited from one-to-one appointments which helped refine her business strategy and ensure a strong foundation for growth. Recognising the hive’s ongoing support as instrumental in her journey, Chloe has now taken the next step by leasing an office within the hive. This new space provides a dedicated base for Clean Vision Ltd, offering opportunities for further business development, networking, and access to additional resources that will help strengthen and expand her company. the hive continues to be a valuable hub, supporting local entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses with guidance and mentorship.

The experience

Clean Vision Ltd has grown from a small start-up into an established eco-friendly cleaning company specialising in commercial and biohazard cleaning. Chloe has built a team of over ten staff members, emphasising teamwork, training, and communication to ensure quality service. Future plans include supporting charities and expanding cleaning services for those in need, reinforcing the company’s commitment to community impact and sustainability

Background

Fawn Coffee began its journey in 2022, driven by the founders’ desire to create a welcoming and stress-free environment in the hospitality industry. Ashley, with a background in film and indie media, and Tom, an actor turned manager, both had extensive experience in the restaurant industry in London. Their goal was to establish a business where they could treat both people and products with respect, moving away from the high-stress environments they had previously encountered. They have sought to create a new space that isn’t centred around alcohol, leading to the birth of Fawn Coffee.

Support

Fawn Coffee received significant support from SFEDI accredited business adviser Liz Gjoni at the hive, including workshops, 1:1 business advice appointments, and networking opportunities.

The founders noted, “We recieved a lot of fantastic support from Liz Gjoni based out of the hive. Then ongoing support, seminars, and training”

In early 2024, they successfully applied for funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funded Town Occupancy Grant, a programme designed to deliver business support to high street retailers delivered by the hive, North Somerset Council and Business West.

This support helped them secure better equipment, leading to improved consistency, quality, and training. As a result, Fawn Coffee has become a respected business for staff training, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy. The business partners’ time has been freed up to focus on growth, increasing operational hours and enabling further scaling and job creation.

The experience

Setting up Fawn Coffee involved converting a vintage 1974 caravan into a mobile coffee bar, allowing them to offer high-quality, locally roasted coffee.

The founders, a local LGBTQ+ couple, emphasise the importance of their customers, stating, “Customers are the most important thing, never underestimate their support or trust!”

They expanded to include ‘The Kiosk’ at Clevedon Court and a shop in Clevedon’s Independent shopping quarter. The shop serves as a hub for coffee lovers, offering both great coffee and home barista supplies. The support from the hive and UKSPF was crucial in improving their equipment and training capabilities, enabling them to grow their business and create jobs.

Background

Curzon Cinema and Arts, a community cinema and multi-disciplinary arts centre, has been a cultural hub in Clevedon since 1996. The community’s love for their cinema led to its purchase, transforming it into a registered charity dedicated to providing life-shaping cultural experiences accessible to all.

The centre offers a year-round programme of films and live events, aiming to cultivate an inclusive space that fosters participation in the arts. As the team at Curzon Cinema and Arts puts it, their mission is to “grow participation in the arts for all” through transformative, shared experiences.

Support

Curzon Cinema and Arts received support from the hive in developing business plans and applying for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Town Occupancy Grant in early 2024. This grant programme, delivered by North Somerset Council, Business West, and the hive, aimed to help small businesses and social enterprises increase their viability in town centre units.

The support provided included sales promotion, brand management, digital transformation, and identifying grant funding opportunities.

Andrew Caddy (CEO) said, “the hive were very helpful in developing our business plans to help us navigate our future“.

The experience

Curzon Cinema and Arts embarked on the UKSPF funded project to upgrade their catering facilities, including installing a new fast, high-quality coffee machine and a heritage 35mm film projector. This projector, built using heritage parts, is a significant addition as it allows the screening of films in the classic 35mm format, which is no longer commercially available.

The team emphasized the cultural value of the projector, noting, “This new machine, built by an expert projection engineer, will enable us to screen films in a format that holds historical significance and offers a unique viewing experience.”

This initiative reflects their commitment to enhancing the community’s cultural experience while ensuring the sustainability of their operations.

WorkWise

Background

Support

The experience

JENergy

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Support

The experience

Clean Vision

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The experience

Fawn Coffee

Background

Support

The experience

Curzon Cinema & Arts

Background

Support

The experience

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