Business Builder case studies

Find out more from local businesses about how our Business Builder scheme has helped them develop and grow, using the funding, support and training provided as part of the scheme.

Foundation support

Limitless Driving School - Tara Read

After qualifying as a driving instructor it was always my goal to work for myself, but it’s a really big leap.First, the free online Foundation course helped me write a detailed and professional business plan. After I launched, I applied for a Build Up Grant which went towards car wrapping, and an app which manages my bookings. Business Builder is just right for someone like me who hasn’t run a business before or starting without much capital.

Native2Norfolk - Finley Robertson

"I found the Business Builder online course extremely useful, as I’ve grown up in the business world and I’ve seen and managed many things but I’ve never received formal training or teaching around aspects of business. This course did just that, it covered everything you need to know in a course that wasn’t too long, strenuous or boring as some training is perceived to be. Alongside the course, the ‘portal’ was full of useful resources that I still find myself referring back to, to make sure what I’m doing is right. I strongly recommend this to anyone thinking about starting up a business as it only has positives and there’s no reason you should not do it, if you really want your business to be a success."

Build-up Grant

JSC Print & Design Agency - Joel Sharp

Right from launch I put sustainability and creativity at the heart of my print business, pulling together all my previous experience in print and graphic design. Now I can apply design in a sustainable and tactile way, and produce inhouse which gives me quality control. It’s starting to deliver business results, another confirmation that reducing the impact on our environment has to be the way forward.

Dancing Bee Bakes - Sophie Yaxley

Two years back I completed a food tech qualification as part of my home-education, which got me thinking I could start a bakingbusiness! With my mum’s backing, (as I was thirteen at the time), we got organised and Dancing Bee Bakes soon took off, starting with postal brownies and the Cat Lounge stocking my bakes. The mixer I was using was small, which made things take a lot longer. We then came across the Business Builder programme. Jane from the council was so helpful and encouraged me to apply for the Build Up grant and recommended the online course for start-up businesses. With the grant we were able to get a commercial mixer and now I can do 20 batches in one go, when before it was only two. Also amazing for my business was the free online Foundation course. I learnt so much, so quickly that now I’m going to take my Business GCSE a year early.

Thorpe Garden Services - Andrew Morgan

"I applied for a Build Up Grant for, amongst other things, wet weather and thermal gear to help me deliver more consistently and comfortably during winter. This stuff is professional standard (ergo very, very expensive) so I’m thankful for Business Builder’s support with 50% of the cost."

Nurture Marketing - Rechenda Smith

"When setting up my business, I bought a cheap desktop printer, which did the job for a short while. After expanding quickly into new office space and recruiting two members of staff, it became apparent that the printer was not fit for purpose. As my business was between 12 and 24 months old, I was eligible for a Business Builder grant for up to £1,000. The grant would cover 50% of capital costs on things to help my business develop.."

Trii - Yolanda Wetterland

"This is the first time I’ve ever applied for a grant and I didn’t know what to expect. I found it was easy to get started and then it was really fast, and the review meeting with Jane happened within 3 weeks. My website wasn’t working well so the grant meant I could book a digital marketing consultant to optimise it in terms of product presentation and customer experience"

Development Grant

The Tipsy Beekeeper - Lydia McClintock

I was inspired to start The Tipsy Beekeeper, mostly for my family, after hearing about the benefits of eating honey produced by bees feeding on flowers grown within a few miles. Business Builder helped me buy a bigger harvesting extractor and other kit, so I can be more productive, like my bees. It’s not just the financial help, it’s that someone is giving you solid business advice, and believes in you.

Norfolk Football - Paul Suggitt

'I found myself in a situation where my printing supplier had pulled the printing service right at the beginning of the busy football season. So, I had to set up the fabric printing process inhouse at short notice and invest in this specialist (and expensive!) printer which creates the transfers for applying to fabric. The Development Grant was organised in a matter of days, everything was accepted almost immediately, with funds available within a week, which enabled to us to get the equipment.'

Grain Brewery - Phil Halls

'Last year we were looking for ideas to improve our turnover, as the business was under pressure. I had always wanted to convert this space in the barn alongside the brewery and create a taproom where people could stop by. It made a lot of business sense to do so, however I wasn’t in a position financially, to invest in the work on my own.'

Plantscape - Jim Adcock

'The Development Grant and support enabled us to build an online shop for our firewood business which at the time, had been operational for just under a year. As well as helping to grow sales, the online shop has automated what was previously a manual process, with the added benefit of an integrated client database.'

Bishy Barney Boats - Mark Appel

'The help I received from Broadland District Council has been of huge benefit to me, as the Development Grant allowed me to add a hire boat to my fleet, with another on schedule for next year. The extra income generated by the new boat this year means I’ve been able to give job opportunities to several keen local young people and organise occasional staff cover for myself.'

Rural Capital Grant

Panel Graphic Limited - Steve Earl MBE & Carly Earl

Thanks to the Rural Capital Grant, arranged by the Economic Growth team providing Business Builder support, we were able to invest in this industrial-grade pressure laminator, which will ensure precise and uniform application of technical polymer films. Over the last five years, the support from South Norfolk Council has been an integral part of our growth. We would encourage any business to get to know the Economic Growth team and find out how they can help.