Hooked on knitting: owner of specialist knitting store ‘Flock’ Harriet Couchman wins £500 to launch after winning Her Biz business plan competition

On the 18th of June 2022, the Let’s Do Business Group team aim to complete the ‘Pier-to-Pier’ walk from Hastings pier to Eastbourne pier, in a fundraising effort for local charity St Michael’s Hospice and the Cancer Research campaign Stand Up To Cancer.

Tucked away on the outskirts of Hastings Town Centre, The Yard on Waterworks Road is a colourful and re-purposed industrial space, which harbours an ever-growing community of over 40 creative businesses.

NatWest, the funding partner behind the Her Biz support programme contract, which was due to end Spring 2022, has confirmed that they will fund the initiative for another year.

Cake Maker Katja from Katja’s Cakes based at The Yard, Hastings explains how she has been able to organise her business and find her worth with the support of the CHART programme and Let’s Do Business Group.

For International Women’s Day this year, we wanted to highlight some of the women who, across our range of projects in the South East and East of England, inspire us with their skill and motivation in business.

Chloe and Bethany won £500 towards their start up costs for Secret Host by taking part in the Her Biz programme for aspiring female entrepreneurs in East Sussex and Kent, and then submitting their winning business plan.

Along the bustling Kings Road in St Leonards, you might have noticed a new addition to the high street. An unassuming shop front, with luxurious upholstered furniture in the window, and mouth-watering bagels in the back.

My Biz Start Up business workshop participant and recent winner, Ashley Beebe, aims to add to the tasty streetfood offering in Hastings with business idea Fries for Days.

My Biz Start Up business workshop participant, Safia Khan, plans to use her passion for raw foods and tasty treats to create a viable business out of her idea for Chocaterre – a vegan and gluten free take handmade chocolates.

Roots, a freshly green-painted shop front in the trendy Kings Road in St Leonards on Sea, is a new take on plant based food takeaway for the area – and has already been a hit selling a variety of raw salads and raw juices since its open in Autumn 2021.

While 2021 draws to a close, we look back on the year of fantastic achievements and support our team has facilitated and how this has made an impact on businesses established and new.

Amy Buckland, owner of Little Koala, has won £500 towards start up costs for her business after completing a series of workshops and winning the HerBiz business plan competition for aspiring female entrepreneurs in East Sussex and Kent.

The Professional Services Award, sponsored and presented by Mattioli Woods plc is reserved for the business that best demonstrates excellence in business management underpinned by a strong financial performance and adherence to a professional code of conduct.

Entrepreneur Clare Hughes, owner of online clothing boutique ‘Relics on Sea’ was able to bring her idea for accessible and sustainable alternative fashion to life by taking part in the interactive Ready for Business Start Up workshops delivered by Let’s Do Business Group.

Let’s Do Business Group wins ‘Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year’ at the 2021 National Enterprise Network Awards.

Let’s Do Business Group and Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce are supporting the Hastings Centre Food Bank this Christmas by taking part in a ‘reverse advent’ calendar and collecting food items to donate to their local food bank ahead of the festive season.

Let’s Do Business Group are pleased to announce we have been shortlisted for the ‘Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year (turnover over £750,000).’ at the 2021 National Enterprise Network Awards.

Kickstart to launch for AmbaAccessories: owner Rachel Pullen wins £500 to launch business after taking part in HerBiz start up workshops.

Let’s Do Business Group are pleased to announce we have been shortlisted for the ‘Professional Services Award’ at the 2021 Sussex Business Awards.