Case Studies from 2026

Sector: Digital Marketing/ Advertising

Location: Derby

An idea that started on a backpacking trip around the world a few short years ago has now become a growing business.

Kyoto Digital, based in the historic Old Post Office building in Derby, was founded by Simy Choudhary in 2023. The agency specialises in paid media, with a core focus on pay per click (PPC) and social media advertising. From a standing start, the business today has three full time employees and one contractor.

It primarily works with healthcare businesses, particularly pharmacies and regulated health services, helping them reach more patients and drive sustainable revenue through effective paid advertising. Through its partners network, Kyoto Digital supports companies both nationally and internationally.

Challenges faced

The business has been built without any external investment and while this has allowed the company to maintain control, it has also meant growth has been slower and every decision has had to be financially disciplined.

Another key challenge has been the steep learning curve that comes with starting and running a business. From operations and hiring, finance and client delivery much of the journey has involved learning in real time and building processes as the business scales. This has required constant adaptation and resilience.

In addition, rising operating costs have added to the pressure. Increasing ad platform costs, software tools and general business expenses, have made profitability and efficient client acquisition even more critical.

Despite these barriers the business has continued to grow steadily, proving the strength of its offer and the team’s ability to stay lean, agile and performance focussed.

Solution – Support Given

Kyoto Digital has strengthened its foundations through one-to-one business adviser support and practical workshops, helping the team move from founder led momentum to a more structured approach to growth. Simy has been working closely with East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Lisa Baggott and the Accelerator project.

A key area has been financial planning. Simy comments: “Lisa has highlighted the importance of cash flow forecasting and budgeting, which was a new discipline for us in a real business setting. Implementing it properly gave us far more confidence in decision making, resourcing and planning.”

Beyond strategy and finance, Lisa has connected the business to like-minded individuals with similar challenges which has provided reassurance, perspective and a stronger peer network as it continues to grow.

Through sharing helpful HR guidance and practical documents, Lisa has helped Kyoto Digital with structure around managing people and building a team in the right way. Along with the workshops and digital/ AI conferences, it has reinforced key learning around planning and operational structure, supporting the business to build stronger systems for sustainable growth.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

The impact of this support has been transformative for Kyoto Digital helping it to strengthen its position across both the UK and US markets. With clearer organisational objectives and improved structure, it has been able to operate with more focus and consistency, which has supported its growth through its partner network and increased its reach internationally.

Support has also helped strengthen its reputation within the pharmacy sector, helping Kyoto Digital attract more industry leading partners and clients than ever more. As a result, the business has evolved from a sole trader to a growing agency with staff, giving it more capacity and stability to support clients at a higher level.

Financially, the biggest difference has been gaining stronger control and visibility. With improved cash flow forecasting and budgeting, it is now managing finances more effectively than ever before, crucial in the current climate.

Simy adds: “Over the last two years we have been using this support, our revenue has grown by four times, and we have scaled from working with around 15 clients to supporting over 50 businesses now. That growth has also translated to job creation.

Overall, the foundations put in place have helped me as the founder build and guide the vision of the company with greater confidence and freed up more time and headspace to focus on scaling Kyoto Digital.”

“If you run a company or you are thinking about starting one, using Accelerator support is a no brainer. It gave us the tools, structure and confidence to scale Kyoto Digital properly, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you.”

- Simy Choudhary, Founder

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Information Technology

Location: Derbyshire Dales

Built for Good Ltd is based in Wirksworth, Derbyshire and was founded in 2020.

The company, which employs three people, uses technology to extend and deepen engagement in arts and entertainment. Its products – WatchWord and WatchWord Live – provide always-on closed captions on smart glasses in cinemas and theatres so deaf, deafened and hard of hearing audiences can attend any screening or performance they choose. View a short film about WatchWord Live

Challenges faced

In terms of exports, Built for Good’s primary target is the USA, so the changing tariff landscape is proving extremely challenging.

Its market - cinemas and theatres - is extremely price sensitive and its customers often need to seek external funding to invest in the product. This means certainty is required around pricing which has been incredibly difficult to provide over the last 12 months.

Internally, the biggest challenge for Built for Good has been that of capacity. The small team of three has to split itself into many pieces to meet demand but profits are not yet at a point where the business can invest in new personnel. It is hoped this will change during 2026.

Solution – Support Given

Built for Good’s Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Tabitha Allum has been working with East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Andy Bunn and the Accelerator project. Through guidance from Andy, the business successfully applied for the Export Accelerator grant to support its theatre business in America.

This has enabled Built for Good to:

• Invest in external expertise to help them clarify the commodity codes and countries of origin for their product so that they could offer more certainty around the application of tariffs. This information has been used to shape its pricing strategy for the USA.
• Situate portable WatchWord Live equipment in the States so they can demonstrate the product without having to get on a plane. The business found the most compelling way to introduce its product is by enabling theatre personnel to put on a pair of glasses so they can see closed captions rolling in their own auditorium, but this is hard to do remotely and costly to do in person. By being able to ship a demo kit to prospective customers, Built for Good can couple an in-person experience with its remote sales presentation.
• Support has also enabled the business to roll out software improvements which are proving attractive to US customers, including the ability to run multilingual captions.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

Tabitha comments: “We know that we have a really good product and that it’s a product the theatres in the United States are interested in buying, but we needed to improve our ability to make a compelling case to them, without (the cost) of getting on a plane to follow up leads.”

Through its more competitive pricing strategy, increased functionality and improved remote promotional pathway for its product, the business has boosted its ability to meet demand and will be delivering three new installations in America over the next 10 weeks. The profit generated from these new sales will be reinvested, primarily in increasing its capacity through additional personnel.

“We are so grateful for the support received from the Export Accelerator. It’s helped us to maximise our ability to sell our product in the US by clarifying the application of tariffs to our product so that our prospective customers can feel more confident about the overall cost of their purchase, improving the functionality of our software so that it better meets the needs of American theatres, and situating demonstration equipment in the States so that we can continue to deliver most of our sales remotely, reducing costs and improving efficiency.”

- Tabitha Allum, Co-Founder and COO

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Nottingham

The Print Tavern is a family business and was set up in 2020 by directors Michelle Chapman and Luke Plewinski.

It initially began as a side project providing high quality, yet affordable tabletop miniatures and hobby models, including items for model railway enthusiasts. The couple took time off in 2023/4 for the arrival of their son, but today Michelle works on the business full time from their purpose-built garden office, supported by Luke whose day job is working within the games industry.

Challenges faced

Overseas Competition
For the Print Tavern one of the greatest barriers to growth has been the sustained price pressures from overseas competitors, particularly low-cost market places (such as the likes of Temu). These platforms can offer significantly cheaper products, often at the expense of quality and compliance. The Print Tavern is a business that collaborates with licensed designers and adheres to regulatory requirements and are unable – and unwilling – to compete on price alone. This challenge has intensified as 3D printing technology has become more accessible, leading to an increase in new sellers entering the market without following the necessary legal or safety standards.

Rising Costs
Rising operational costs present an ongoing challenge for the Print Tavern. As a production-based business that relies heavily on electrical equipment, increases in energy prices and raw materials have had a direct impact on profitability. At the same time reduced disposable income and cost of living hikes for customers has limited its ability to pass these costs on, as their products are hobby items, and not essential purchases.

Leaving Europe and tariffs
Brexit has also had a significant impact on the Print Travern. The business was required to suspend sales to Europe and Northern Ireland (NI) - at a time when these markets were beginning to show potential – due to the difficulty of securing an affordable and reputable EU representative.  As the business has grown, this has become more manageable and it is currently in the process of re-establishing compliance, with the aim of resuming EU and NI sales this spring. However, ongoing fluctuations of US tariffs have similarly created uncertainty, making it challenging to plan long-term despite consistent demand through its Etsy store.

In-house skills
Finally, the rapid evolution of digital marketing has highlighted gaps in its own in-house skills, particularly in social media marketing and SEO. With these areas changing quickly – especially due to the rise of AI-driven tools and platforms – continuous learning and adaption are essential to remain competitive.

Solution – Support Given

Director Michelle comments: “We have received extensive and highly valuable support from the Accelerator project and East Midlands Chamber, which has played a key role in helping us develop the business in line with our long-term vision. Discovering the breadth of support available has been instrumental in enabling us to approach growth in a more structured and informed way.”

The Print Tavern successfully applied for an Accelerator Growth Voucher, with guidance from Chamber Business Adviser, Richard Crowden, which has provided access to specialist online consultancy focused on website development and SEO strategy. This support helped to establish clear SEO goals and significantly improve how Print Tavern’s website is structured and presented through Shopify.

As part of this process, Michelle and Luke have developed practical skills in using essential digital tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console, allowing them to better understand customer behaviour and optimise online presence.

Print Tavern have received one to one adviser support from Lucy Granger at the Chamber, who has provided guidance on international trade and helped navigate the steps required to reopen its European and international markets.

Michelle has also attended Accelerator workshops including Utilising ChatGPT for your Business and is scheduled to attend a further session on the Impact of AI on Search Engine Optimisation soon. These workshops have supported the business’s ongoing efforts to build in-house capability in fast-evolving digital and marketing areas.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

Michelle adds: “The support received has had a clear and measurable impact on the business, contributing to increased sales, improved revenue and greater brand awareness.”

Increased Visibility
Improvements to its SEO have led to sustained growth in website traffic without the need for paid advertising, strengthening the long-term sustainability of its marketing approach. This increased visibility has also created new commercial opportunities, including collaboration with a television production company.

Improved Confidence and Processes
The support and guidance has enabled the directors to feel more confident in their products and market positioning. It has enabled them to streamline internal processes, particularly around the creation and uploading of new products, by establishing a clear and consistent workflow for product information and content.

New technology
Investment in training has also supported the adoption of new technology and ethical use of AI within the business. The workshop on utilising ChatGPT was especially impactful, helping Print Tavern understand how to configure AI tools to reflect the business context and reduce repetitive manual input. In addition, learning how to use advanced research techniques has supported more informed decision-making, allowing them to identify emerging trends and prioritise products with strong growth potential.

Overall, the support has strengthened competitiveness, improved efficiency, and laid the foundations for future growth, including job creation and further skills development as the business continues to scale.

In terms of efficiency gains, through an improved SEO strategy, clearer workflows and the effective use of AI tools, the business estimates a saving of approximately 8 to 12 hours per week, that would previously have been spent on product research, manual content creation and self-led training. This time has been reallocated to core growth activities such as manufacturing, product development and strategic planning.

Finally, as a result of recent growth, supported by guidance from the Chamber, the business reached a key milestone in January 2026 when Michelle had her first salaried month.

“The support we’ve received has been invaluable. Discovering what was available through East Midlands Chamber has genuinely transformed our business, helping us move from a side hustle to a profitable, sustainable operation. It has given us the confidence, structure and knowledge needed to make the business Michelle’s primary source of income.”

- Michelle Chapman & Luke Plewinski, Directors

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Holistic Movement & Therapy

Location: Amber Valley

Luná Movements CIC is a mobile holistic wellness community in and around Derby. Founded in January 2025 by Sinéad Robertson it provides tools and practices that empower people to make conscious choices, feel energised and grow along their life’s journey through yoga, pilates, dance classes and coaching workshops.

Luná Movements offers a supportive space to navigate the challenges that can arise when striving to become the best version of oneself. It works by collaborating with expert teachers in their field, who come together to support the community.

Challenges faced

One of the main challenges faced by the business has been establishing and communicating the value of an integrated relationship between arts and wellness. While there is strong interest in holistic wellbeing, Sinéad comments that it’s taken some time and consistent advocacy to demonstrate how creative movement, embodied practice and artistic expression meaningfully support physical, emotional and community health.

Access to support and funding has also been a key barrier. Securing funds to purchase a professional booking system has been essential but also challenging. A reliable system is critical to protecting customer data, ensuring safety and trust, and enabling participants to book with confidence. Without this infrastructure, it would be harder to systematically collect feedback, build testimonials, and develop a strong portfolio that reflects the impact and potential of what the Luná Movements community can deliver.

Solution – Support Given

The business has been supported by East Midlands Chamber Business Advisers, Cat Walls and David Smith, and the Accelerator project. This includes one-to-one adviser support which has been instrumental in the development and sustainability of Luná Movements.

Sinéad comments: “Through personalised guidance and being able to express the challenges I’ve faced, I’ve gained greater clarity around my business vision and options available to me, enabling me to make more confident and informed decisions.

This tailored support has helped me to identify practical next steps. Having dedicated time to reflect, plan and problem-solve with an experienced adviser has increased my confidence in navigating funding opportunities, partnerships and growth strategies.

Importantly, the one-to-one support has also provided reassurance during periods of uncertainty, helping me to recognise the value of my work and articulate its impact more clearly. As a result, I am better equipped to communicate my offering effectively and continue developing Lunà Movements in a way that aligns with both community needs and its business strategy.”

The business has also joined the Chamber under the new charity/CIC membership offer so will be able to take advantage of other Chamber services.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

It’s early days but Sinéad hopes to build on an integrated relationship between arts and wellness, the need to foster a balanced approach to living life with more ease.

Taking on board the advice from Cat, Sinéad hopes a more strategic approach to digital marketing - and through building relations with Derby businesses and Culture Derby - will help build brand awareness and Luná Movements’ offer.

In the long-term Sinéad would like to build a team that develops the class timetable and outreach programme to communities, establishing a creative community within Derbyshire.

“David and Cat have been a great support through the connections they have made for me, creating space for my challenges to land, helping me see new perspectives, and building confidence in the offerings my organisation delivers.”

- Sinéad Robertson, Founder

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Chesterfield

Established in 2017, The Fluency Business Group is an integrated business group, comprising Fluency Marketing, Fluency Events, Fluency People and Fluency Exchange.

It supports high-growth engineering, advanced materials and manufacturing companies of all sizes to access new markets, secure investment, win major contracts and build international partnerships. Its team of eight, together with a number of associate professionals, work with clients across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the USA on growth strategy, market development, events and event support, investor readiness, international marketing, and recruitment.

Challenges faced

Post-pandemic recovery and growth have been challenging, impacting on investing in recruitment, technology, and training for essential project management tools such as CRM. Scaling internationally while remaining capital efficient has also been a challenge. As Fluency supports complex, export-driven engineering and advanced materials companies, it must invest ahead of revenue in specialist staff, market intelligence, international marketing platforms and global travel. Volatile economic conditions, inflation and exchange rate fluctuations have also made it harder to commit to overseas expansion.

Solution – Support Given

The Accelerator project has provided one-to-one Business Adviser support and fully funded webinars in leadership, HR and international trade. An Export Accelerator grant of £8,000 has supported exhibiting at CAMX 2025 in Florida, the leading composites and advanced materials trade show in North America. The funding was used to secure exhibition space, marketing materials, travel and participation in the CAMX hosted B2B matchmaking programme, enabling Fluency to enter the US market in a structured and commercially focused way.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

Attendance at CAMX enabled promotion, market research and intelligence gathering to refine the business’s offer for the US and to build relationships. Two key outcomes have been achieved: acceleration of US market entry by at least 12 months, providing direct access to decision-makers, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and advanced materials innovators; and, through the CAMX matchmaking portal, the securing of one-to-one meetings with pre-qualified US companies, several of which are progressing towards contracted work with forecast export revenues of £1.3m.

Support also enabled the design of new marketing and sales processes for international expansion and to lay the groundwork for new export-linked roles within the business, including in Export Accounts and Digital Marketing.

“Export Accelerator support has been transformational for Fluency. It allowed us to enter the US market in a serious, commercial way, not just by attending a trade show, but by building relationships, securing meetings and creating a real pipeline of opportunities. For a Derbyshire-based business operating in global engineering and advanced materials markets, that kind of support directly boosts growth, job creation and long-term competitiveness.”

- Gemma Hardy, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Nottingham

Mantic Games was set up in 2008 and is based in Bulwell, Nottingham.

The company designs, manufactures and publishes tabletop games and models. There are currently 30 employees in the UK and two in America.

Challenges faced

For Mantic Games one of the biggest barriers to growth has been outdated technology and processes. In addition, like many other businesses rising costs, energy, wages, inflation; have also hindered development.

Solution – Support Given

Mantic Games has been supported by East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, David Dobson and the Accelerator project. David was able to support the business and provide guidance on its application for a £2,000 Growth Voucher towards specialist digital consultancy support.

It was identified that there was an opportunity to modernise the business through better processes, automation and potentially AI. With many of the current workflows still carried out manually, the senior management team was keen to understand how these processes could be streamlined, digitised, and enhanced through an appropriate blend of new software and getting more out of its current tools.

The Growth Voucher funded support from consultant, Rob Gregory of Magnifica Technologies who has provided structured engagement including detailed process mapping, data analysis, and user requirements gathered through an on-site workshop together with additional off-site research and technical exploration.

From this work Rob has provided a report of recommendations outlining opportunities, any obvious solutions, technology approaches, and next steps to move projects forward.

Accelerator also funded a premises energy audit for Mantic Games to review areas where cost savings could be made, ahead of lighting replacements (LEDs).

To help build internal skills, knowledge and confidence, some of the teams have also attended Accelerator workshops including Mastering Graphic Design using Canva and Adobe Express, Harnessing AI for Business and Getting Started with Business Process Information.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

It’s early days but the business expects the support to reduce energy costs alongside providing a brighter working environment. In the operations area, it anticipates improved efficiency and productivity by reducing time wasting, manual operations and process.

Mantic Games is also expecting a 52% reduction in lighting costs and a reduction in emissions of 0.59cCO2e.

“Our adviser, David has been extremely helpful in conversations and in supporting us through the application process for the Growth Voucher.”

- Matt Gilbert, Director

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Blind Manufacturing

Location: Derby

Blind Screen Ltd is an international blind design and manufacturing business based at Pride Park, Derby. Founded in 2022 by Lenny Reynolds and Paul Cheetham FCIM, the business draws on over 20 years of blinds industry experience.

Independent testing at Energy House Labs, University of Salford, shows Blind Screen retains up to 81% of heat on single glazing and 49 to 56% on double glazing, delivering household heating energy savings of 10.8 to 15.1%. This performance places Blind Screen among the most thermally efficient blinds in the UK, with results that stand up at a global level. Blind Screen designs and manufactures in the UK and supplies through over 3,000 trade partners nationwide.

In 2025, Blind Screen operated with one manufacturer. By the start of 2026, it onboarded three additional manufacturers to support growth, covering Ireland, Australia, and adding UK capacity to meet demand. Blind Screen launches with Hillarys in March 2026. It plans a Latin America launch in 2026, covering four more countries, then North America and Europe in 2027. Blind Screen employs 11 people and has reached 1 billion views and 1.7m followers on social media.

Challenges faced

As the business grows it’s faced a number of new challenges. Blind Screen wanted to scale into international markets but needed to protect its design and licensing. It also needed a solution to support consistent training and demonstrations for trade partners across the country, rather than relying on people travelling to Derby.

There was also a need to standardise installation to reduce fitting errors, speed up installs and improve efficiency across its partner network.

Solution – Support Given

Previously the business has been supported by Innovate UK Business Growth funding and advice from East Midland Chamber’s Innovation & Growth Specialist, Neil McCluskey. Neil helped the business refocus and reposition its strategy. Read the previous Case Study we did for them.

More recently, through further support from Neil, the business has been accepted onto the Innovate UK Scale Up programme, which is the highest level of business support from IUK and puts Blind Screen in the top 3% of UK companies who engage with IUK.

The team has also had ongoing one-to-one support from Chamber Business Adviser, Sonny Lakhani and the Accelerator programme. As part of this support a diagnostic was completed, and action plans, which identified the most relevant need for investment. Sonny helped position the business in its funding applications to get the most impact for a positive outcome.

The good news is that Blind Screen was successful in its application for the Export Accelerator growth grant which provided £8,000 of funding towards the design, consultancy and tooling of a new component called the Levelling Block. The total project cost was £10,600.

Sonny also helped Blind Screen successfully apply for a £2,000 Accelerator Growth Voucher. This funded specialist training to qualify a driver for its mobile training and demonstration academy, using Hughes Driver Training.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

This support has ready had a positive impact on the business:

• Faster, more reliable installs: installers now save around 15 minutes per Blind Screen installation because the Levelling Block standardises the process.
• Lower manufacturing cost: Blind Screen has reduced manufacturing cost by around 6% per product through standardisation.
• Stronger export readiness: the Levelling Block has added a mechanical safeguard for markets where design rights prove harder to enforce. This has strengthened its licensing position in territories such as the USA, MENA, and South Africa.
• New process rollout: the Growth Voucher has enabled a 'training academy on wheels' model. Blind Screen now take training and demos directly to partners across the UK.
• Jobs and growth: the support has strengthened its export push and has supported its plans to introduce an International Sales Manager role as part of its growth.

“The support has been well run and practical. It removed key blockers at the right time. It helped us move faster on export capability, partner training, and product protection.”

- Paul Cheetham, Co-Founder & Scale Up Marketing Director

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Manufacturing

Location: Nottingham

Sewjackie and Advanced Textile Solutions Ltd are two complementary textile businesses owned and operated by female entrepreneur, Jackie Cunnigham.

Each is built around the same core skills but serves very different customers (B2C and B2B respectively).

Sewjackie, an enterprise set up during Covid, allowed Jackie to develop a strong understanding of product design, quality, and what customers value in handmade accessories. Advanced Textile Solutions Ltd was born when Jackie was approached to design and make textile components for a first-of-its-kind brain-scanning helmet, positioning her as a leading specialist in this very niche area.

From that initial piece of work, the business has grown organically through equally niche opportunities such as racehorse saddle pads and technical T-shirts for online motor racing.

Challenges faced

One of the main challenges in growing both businesses has been managing capacity while maintaining quality. As a founder-led business, Jackie is responsible for all aspects of the work, from design and making to day-to-day operations. Revenue is not yet at a level to justify employing someone on a permanent basis so filling gaps in Jackie’s own knowledge, in areas such as technology and marketing, is essential to maintain growth.

Solution – Support Given

Jackie has taken full advantage of the Accelerator programme’s fully-funded workshops and has benefitted from a Growth Voucher for website and marketing consultancy, helping her to refine her website structure, improve clarity of messaging, and think more strategically about marketing and customer journeys, rather than just promotion.

As an active member of the East Midlands Manufacturing Network, run by East Midlands Chamber, Jackie has found the forums invaluable for connecting with other manufacturers, sharing knowledge, and learning from peers facing similar challenges.

The Chamber, together with NBV Enterprise Solutions, also pointed Jackie to investment funding from Innovate UK for advanced and new machinery and support from the University of Nottingham’s Create Growth programme which has further built her confidence in strategy, finance and growth planning.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

Access to workshops, mentoring, consultancy and networks has helped Jackie become more confident in running and growing her businesses, while the Innovate UK grant and new machinery have transformed production. The support received has helped reduce costs, open new sales opportunities and streamline processes (halving the time it takes to sew one of Jackie’s most popular products), as well as manufacture new, more complex products. Cumulatively, the support received means Jackie is now ready to scale and confidently plan for future staff recruitment.

“In the early days, I often struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like I didn’t belong or shouldn’t be here. The advice, guidance, and support I’ve had along the way has been life-changing and has given me the confidence to grow both businesses and take them to the next level.”

- Jackie Cunningham, Owner

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Retail & Manufacture

Location: North East Derbyshire

Paws Trading is a family run business, spanning two generations, which originally started on eBay in 2004.

The business specialises in high quality dog products including professional veterinary bedding (Vet Bed), training toys and natural dog treats. It focuses heavily on products for working dogs, training, agility, and active pet owners, with an emphasis on quality, functionality and value.

Paws Trading is based in Clay Cross, North East Derbyshire, selling products both online and at dog shows/events across the UK. The team of six employees, led by Managing Directors Paul and Paula Wilkinson, is supported by family and additional staff at busy times.

Challenges faced

As a small family-run business, Paw Trading faced several barriers to scaling:

• Despite there being demand for its products, it had limited visibility in new and international markets which made it difficult to reach customers outside of the UK.
• The business was facing increased competition, particularly from lower-cost overseas alternatives, making it even harder to stand out without stronger brand visibility.
• There was also a lack of in-house skills particularly around SEO and pursuing the opportunities of international market development. The team were stuck with a variety of manual and time-intensive processes which limited capacity to focus on such growth activities.
• Finally, rising operational costs including materials, shipping and wages meant additional pressures for the senior team and cashflow.

However, breaking into new markets, such as France, and improving online discoverability, were identified as the most critical challenges that could unlock the next growth stage for Paws Trading.

Solution – Support Given

Paws Trading has been supported by East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Richard Crowden and the Accelerator programme. Richard has provided dedicated support to identify priority growth areas for the business including international expansion and digital visibility. The support focused on strategic planning, market development and improving productivity.

Richard also provided advice and guidance with two funding applications. Firstly a £1,600 Accelerator Growth Voucher to invest in SEO consultancy, improving its online visibility, keyword performance and search rankings. This increased organic traffic and helped Paws Trading compete more effectively in a crowded online marketplace.

The business also successfully applied for an Export Accelerator grant of £2,000 which has supported its entry into new international markets, specifically France, helping Paws Trading develop the systems, knowledge and confidence needed to sell cross-border and reach new customers.

Attendance at Accelerator workshops and access to wider Growth Hub support has also strengthened understanding of digital growth, international trade considerations and long-term scalability.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

The support has played a key role in helping Paws Trading overcome long-standing barriers to growth, delivering both immediate and long-term impact. This includes:

• Successful entry into new markets with France now an active and growing sales channel for Paws Trading.
• Improved online visibility, resulting in increased organic website traffic and a stronger brand presence.
• Greater competitiveness, enabling Paws Trading to compete on quality, trust and expertise, rather than on price alone.
• Time savings and improved efficiency, allowing the team to focus more on product development, customer engagement and market expansion.
• Increased confidence in scaling, with clearer processes and a stronger digital foundation to support future growth.

The business report that the SEO work via the specialist consultancy alone has delivered ongoing benefits by improving search performance and reducing reliance on paid advertising, while international market support has opened entirely new revenue streams.

In terms of impact the improvements to internal processes, SEO performance and systems have reduced manual administration and marketing tasks by approximately 5-7 hours a week, equivalent to 260-360 hours a year.

This timesaving has allowed the team to redirect effort into higher value activities such as product development, customer engagement and entering new markets, including France.

Process efficiencies and better planning have also helped reduce unnecessary operational usage, contributing to an estimated £800-£1,200 per year in energy and operational cost savings through more efficient working practices and reduced rework.

Overall, these changes have strengthened productivity, reduced pressure on the team and created a more sustainable platform for growth.

“The grants and adviser support have been pivotal in helping us overcome barriers we couldn’t tackle alone.

From improving our SEO and online visibility to successfully entering the French market, the support has given us the tools, confidence and momentum to grow beyond the UK and build a more resilient business.”

- Paul and Paula Wilkinson, Managing Directors

Read the full Case Study

Sector: Education

Location: North East Derbyshire

Learn to Shine Education Ltd is an award-winning Alternative Provision* supporting local schools and students, through face-to-face and online support, to re-engage with education through inclusive, welcoming and engaging practice.

It also provides private education to support mainstream students in catching up, keeping up or providing challenges ensuring they are positive and content when at school. The team of 23 staff members support families through consultancy, dyslexia/dyscalculia services and more recently have become an ADHD coaching centre.

The business which began in 2018, is based in Eckington and covers North East Derbyshire, Sheffield and Rotherham.

(*customised support for students needing a flexible environment.)

Challenges faced

Throughout the pandemic there were many new entrants into the market setting up tuition businesses but luckily with a strong reputation, Learn to Shine Education was able to maintain its customer base. In fact, the business has grown.

However, because of this additional competition, often offering cheaper rates, the business has not raised its prices even though all its own costs including taxes, energy bills and rates have increased. This has put extra pressure on managing the business and cashflow.

Recruiting the right staff can be a challenge too with larger companies offering various ways of working which suit some people better, however, staff turnover is low which is a positive for the business.

Most crucially it has not been easy for Learn to Shine Education to scale up. There’s been a lack of knowledge of how to expand online, competition from others and difficulties in finding the right contacts for new premises and local authority contacts.

Solution – Support Given

Learn to Shine Education has been supported by the Accelerator project and East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Richard Crowden. Richard has worked with Managing Director and Principal Teacher, Katie McDonough on a one-to-one basis to review where the business is now and where it wants to be.

Richard provided guidance with its application for a £2,000 Accelerator Growth Voucher which has funded specialist consultancy services for SEO and enhancing its website. The consultancy has also helped to create new online education modules which can be sold via the website and created a process manual so the site can be updated internally.

In addition to this support, the team have attended a number of Accelerator workshops to enhance knowledge and build their own skills. This includes HR Essentials, Using AI for SEO, the One-hour Google Ads Course, Introduction to Marketing AI and ChatGPT and Getting Started with Monthly Accounts.

Impact - The Difference it’s Made

The support has allowed Learn to Shine Education to understand HR processes and SEO better. The consultancy work has helped the business be found by the right kind of customers, increasing its visibility and ensuring it is ranking above competitors.

Katie estimates that they have saved around five hours per week improving efficiency and productivity, not to mention the many hours of stress/energy saved!

“The support has been imperative to our business. We have learned so much through the workshops and are excited to join more in the future. I have every confidence that our next steps will be supported just as well.”

- Katie McDonough, Managing Director

Read the full Case Study