Success stories
Have a look at our success stories to see how Outset Plymouth is proving to be such a success in helping fledging businesses throughout the region.
Mrs Duster Buster to the rescue!
August 26, 2011A NEW city business called Mrs Duster Buster has been launched to make life a little easier for people with no time to do the domestic chores, and is looking for a professional cleaning company that provides a service with no contracts, and no worries.
Rank success on the thin blue line
July 5, 2011THE era of cuts and austerity is beginning to have a major impact on people employed in the public sector, and never more so than the loyal ranks of hardworking police officers. The winds of economic change are sweeping away the old certainties of jobs for life, with a new culture of entrepreneurialism – now clanking on the doors of Britain’s most conservative institutions.
Fiona Lower – Scientia Medico Limited
June 8, 2011Although still classed as ‘under-represented’ in Plymouth’s business community, some of the most inspiring, entrepreneurial and determined women are shining a light and showing the way for other women in the city thinking about starting their own business. Single mother of three, 42-year-old Fiona Lower is now one of these role models having set up ‘Scientia Medico Limited’.
Gail Bennett – Cardium Design
Being made redundant from a job you have given over 10 years to is an incredibly painful experience, but for 42-year-old Gail Bennett it was a great opportunity to explore the idea of using her extensive skills and contacts to work for herself. “I have a lot of local contacts from my previous jobs, but I didn’t promote myself, I got to the point where work started to turn up!”
Amanda Drake-Worth – Happy Signers
“Children aged as young as six months can be taught sign language and communicate using it before they can even talk,” says Amanda Drake-Worth, from Crownhill, who is planning to launch ‘Happy Signers’, a new business that will teach (BSL) British Sign Language to babies to aid communication.
Timothy Gillham & Mary Gillham – Timary Spice
April 5, 2011With a long career background working in Midwifery & Nursing, and providing care for patients with a variety of illnesses, Mary Gillham found that she could no longer manage the physical demands of her profession after a car accident, and was forced onto incapacity benefit.
Janet Wise – WiserHealth
April 1, 2011As one of Outset Plymouth’s more experienced clients, Janet Wise first dipped her toes into the world of self-employment over 8 years ago in Milton Keynes where she set up a home-based business called Feetwise. “Because I am managing my recovery from ME on a daily basis, natural health has always been very important to me and my family.”
Paul Jordan & Derek Davidson – Drumknot
March 25, 2011City duo, Paul Jordan and Derek Davidson, were both made redundant when social housing giant, Connaught, closed down leaving them at a real crossroads in their career.
Lorna Roberts-Ezzie Cakes
March 15, 2011What makes the perfect gift, every time? “Cakes!” says Lorna Roberts, owner of newly launched business Ezzie Cakes. “I got into cake-making through friends wanting cakes. I had so many friends who got married in the same year & I didn’t know what to buy them – so I made cakes.”
Andy Laidlaw-A.L-Photos
March 5, 2011“For over 10 years I have been a teaching assistant but have always dreamt about setting up my own photographic business,” says married, father-of-two Andy Laidlaw whose children are his main motivation for him to succeed in self-employment.
Alan Kingshott – Roots & Branches
February 10, 2011“Our pasts are very much in the present” says Alan in explanation of his new business. “When I was made redundant through ill health after 15 years of working for Michelin as a manager and auditor, I decided to turn my passion for Geneology into a business. ‘Roots and Branches’ is a service providing family tree and genealogy research; embracing the human touch of where we all come from.”
Ross Bullen – Web Design & Development
February 3, 2011For football and film-loving Ross Bullen, being made redundant after working 9 years for a legal firm in London – was a blessing in disguise!
Rosario Di Palermo – Arancino
February 1, 2011Rosario Di Palermo has launched his risotto ball food business, Arancino, after having access to workshops and one-to-one sessions provided by Outset Plymouth
Nicki Parker: Aspire
January 20, 2011“It’s amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it and believe in yourself. Starting Aspire has meant that I can focus on helping other individuals and South West businesses achieve their potential, be successful in life, and to be their very best in whatever they do.”
Christine Whyte & Anne Corry: The Life Detectives
January 15, 2011When Anne Corry met Christine Whyte through a coaching programme, they had no idea what fate had in store for them!
Linda Hobbs: Plymouth Training and Consultancy
January 10, 201143-year-old Linda Hobbs was born and brought in Plymouth and was educated at Public High School for girls. As a mother of two children she is constantly juggling her family and work commitments. Linda’s career spans from primary education to managing and training within services for children and young people.
Fiona Crane, The Blue Room
November 24, 2010Single mum Fiona Crane, has always been passionate about life and the people around her. After realising her own personal problems, she discovered a life changing therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
Sarah Anderson, Sarah Gail Designs
November 23, 2010It takes many brave steps to successfully set up your own business; and leaving full time employment to live out a long held dream is probably one of the bravest steps you can take. This is exactly what Sarah Anderson decided to do when she took voluntary redundancy from the Civil Service, to set up her own business.
Alex getting physical to give online health tips
November 16, 2010Plymouth fitness trainer Alex Smith hasn’t let redundancy get him down -the 24-year-old will launch an online physical training business this Christmas.
