Case Studies | Page 3

Background

JAE Digital is run by its founder Jack Easterbrook. Jack launched the business in 2023 following a career in media and marketing as a Digital Account Director. Following this, he went on to work with a start-up agency before moving on to be Digital Director of a southwest based media & publishing business

JAE Digital is a data driven marketing agency, specialising in helping business get found online, by the right people, at the right time and providing clear, succinct reporting. JAE Digital provides a service that acts as an extension of a marketing department; he works alongside a team to get the best results from a marketing spend using a business’s own data.

the hive Support

During the beginning stages of starting his business Jack attended a 1:1 business advice appointment at the hive with SFEDI accredited Business Adviser Liz Gjoni.

the hive was my first port of call, to get a better understanding of the steps I needed to take, not only to make a start but also to continue to grow the business and evolve my products and services”

Jack Easterbrook – JAE Digital

The experience

When asked what advice Jack would give to others considering starting their own business, he spoke of the value of having a plan in mind but also being willing to seek advice and learn from others. He says, “No one person has all the answers and businesses most often do best through collaboration and sharing of ideas. Even if you think you already know ask, the answers may provide the next step to grow your business.”

Jack now supports the hive’s clients by delivering free 1:1 advice appointments and group sessions to help small businesses develop a digital marketing strategy that is right for them and their businesses.

Background

Occuteach Ltd., are a training and diploma qualifications provider within the health and social care space, and the brainchild of founder Lisa Haines. Lisa had worked as a trainer and diploma assessor for many years but decided to set up her own business in 2019. Sadly, having done her research and sought accreditation for the new venture, the covid pandemic hit and the company came to an abrupt halt.

Not to be dissuaded, Lisa focused on her other passion – mental health and mental health in children (very relevant at the time). “I set up a mental health forum for my son’s school which went online during covid.”

But in 2022 as the situation improved, her dream to start Occuteach Ltd. in earnest was finally possible.

In January 2022 she applied for accreditation and became a registered ICQ centre. Now was the time to move forward and grow.

I really needed support in the first stages of my business. The obvious objective was to grow but, more importantly, to grow in the right way”

the hive support

Lisa needed foundational business advice as well as support with seeking business funding “I didn’t know where to start myself and there are lots of forms to fill in which were mind boggling at times” Happily, a friend put her in touch with the hive, where she found what she was looking for – a 3-day “start your business” training course to learn the business fundamentals.

The experience

“The 3-day course was very good, and I felt like I could ask lots of questions without feeling silly or exposed. I found the marketing and financial accounting sections particularly helpful” After the workshop Lisa had a 1-2-1 meeting with Abdullah who ran the course and talked about the merits of being a limited or community interest company. “I found him very approachable. When you’re a business owner you feel like you should know everything but with Abdullah, I felt able to ask anything” Lisa describes the service as extremely supportive. She had a tight deadline to apply for funding and was confused by some of the forms, but Abdullah helped her to fill them out within 24 hours, well within the timing deadline. “I felt very supported and to be honest I could do with utilising the service more. It’s often difficult to find information but now I know where to go which is half of the challenge.” When talking to Lisa, it had only been a few days since she attended the course. “The response has been incredible and massively quick. I’ve had the training, a 1-2-1 and applied for funding in a matter of days. I’m now looking at what else I can learn. I think finding out about their office spaces is my next port of call!”

Background

After many years as an accountant, Nikki Prescott decided to leave the corporate world for something that she would find far more nourishing – a new start up business called For The Love of Veg that makes and sells fermented goods such as kimchi and sauerkraut.

“I’ve always been really interested in nutrition, it’s a bit of a passion of mine and after I’d volunteered at an organic farm near home in Long Ashton, I decided I wanted to use this new knowledge and the idea was born.

Nikki had always been health-conscious cooking healthy food for a young busy family and low sugar options were a particular priority “I wanted to create something healthy and affordable for the average person”. And with that her exciting journey began.

the hive support

Having left the corporate world, the first step in the journey was to find much needed support. Nikki attended a 3-day course at the hive designed to give start-ups the business essentials – from business plans and financial planning to marketing.

There’s just so much available out there which can be overwhelming, but thankfully I found the hive and a training course which suited me and was perfectly timed in the middle of the day to ensure I could still do the school run”

Nikki Prescott

The experience

“The 3-day course was brilliant. The trainer was a wealth of knowledge and told so many stories rather than just giving us the facts. It was obvious he drew on years of experience and the learnings were really brought to life.” Nikki has other courses and training on her list including networking “I was afraid of networking and the competition but now I know it’s a good thing. That’s next on my list of things to do” It’s early days for Nikki but she is feeling very optimistic. “I learned so much in the 3 days and came out with the confidence to get on and do the basics. I’d put things off and was very risk averse, but I’ve learned that it’s ok to give it a go rather than doing endless research which can sometimes become an obstacle”. the hive, Nikki admits, has been beneficial for her. Finding the support and advice she needed all in one place has given her the push that she needed. “I’d advise anyone to contact the hive to see what’s available, there’s so much that can really help a fledgling business”

Background

Ash Life Sciences is a family run business founded by Sue and Alan Hill. They launched their business in May 2016 with nearly 30 years’ experience in analytical instrument calibration. Along with the combined skills of their two daughters and nephew, they are nationwide suppliers of service and calibration for analytical instruments for the pharmaceutical and municipal service industries. They encompass sales, service, calibration, and repair to efficiently manage the life cycle costs of ownership. Ash Life Sciences are ISO 9001:2015 ISO certified, operating to GMP standards, and are working with major companies across the UK and internationally.

the hive support

After time spent building the business in a small office, it was time to find offices that could accommodate a thriving business. The company began looking for a space that was local, convenient and near the motorway as their business spans the UK.

the hive is professional and friendly and offers good meeting spaces with good amenities. We always feel confident when welcoming guests.”

Sue Hill – Ash Life Sciences

The experience

One of the benefits of the hive is the availability of many additional services and levels of business support offered. Ash Life Sciences have attended first aid training courses among others and have made use of the meeting rooms for welcoming their clients. the hive suits this growing business and has plenty of options for accommodating future growth. It brings continuity and a level of confidence that enables the business to flourish without having to worry. “The whole team love working at the hive. We have everything we need including office and business advice and support – even down to photocopying services. We’ve already grown and moved into a larger office space and there’s ample opportunity to do that again in the future.”

JAE Digital

Background

the hive Support

The experience

Occuteach Ltd.

Background

the hive support

The experience

For the Love of Veg

Background

the hive support

The experience

Ash Life Sciences

Background

the hive support

The experience

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