Building connections across the Empire - Enterprise support organisation helps a new relocation company trade with the whole of the Commonwealth
Birmingham based business reflects on a successful first year in business thanks to the Start & Grow programme which has enabled them to unlock business opportunities in 53 countries
Shelley Lloyd and Stuart Beaty launched Celsium, their end-to-end corporate employee relocation business, in the summer of 2015 thanks to the dedicated help and support provided by Business Enterprise Support (BES). Initially creating two jobs, with the potential to soon increase this, they were able to secure a Virgin StartUp loan of £26,540 and secure a partnership with the Commonwealth Trade Initiative, which launched a trading platform in 53 Commonwealth countries last month.
In a few short months as part of the Start & Grow programme, Business Advisor, Glenn Watts from BES, provided a wealth of support in key areas which included securing finance and focusing on growing their customer base. The advice they received was key and was soon put into practice when they needed to quickly raise finance after their first client pulled out at the last moment due to UAE to UK tax complications. But with Glenn’s advice they were able to obtain a Virgin StartUp loan of £26,540 and secure a partnership with the Commonwealth Trade Initiative, which will enable Celsium to unlock business opportunities in all 53 Commonwealth countries. The Trade platform launched last month and has been designed to connect buyers and suppliers across Commonwealth markets.
With over 17 years of industry experience, Shelley and Stuart set up their business with the aim of re-focusing the relocation industry back to providing excellent customer service, an aspect of the industry which they felt from their own experience was in decline. Their business model takes a strong ethical approach and has respect, integrity, and empathy at its core.
Shelley had high praise for the help and support they had received and described it as “invaluable” for getting the funding they needed to accelerate their business. She said, “Glenn guided us through the application process and still continues to help us even after we received the loan. There have been many times over the last few months where I have needed some business advice; Glenn is always the person I would call first as I completely trust his opinion to do what is best for the business. I quite simply cannot thank him enough.”
The support provided by BES as part of the Start and Grow programme was in the form of networking events and a number of 1-to-1s. Thanks to the support of the programme Celsium are projecting a 50-70% increased month on month turnover, and they also hope to double the number of directors from two to four in the coming months.
BES work with a range of local start-up businesses as part of the national Start & Grow programme delivered in this area and would be delighted to hear from others looking to start up in business to see if they meet the criteria of the programme.
Ends
Notes for Editors and contact details
1. Celsium Limited is based in Birmingham and started trading in May 2015. Shelley Lloyd Tel: 0121 214 6204 / 07971400518 Stuart Beaty Tel: 07814446294
2. BES are based in Staffordshire. Contact details for the Enterprise Coach who supported Chrome Design Limited: Glenn Watts, BES Tel: 01283 537 151
About Start & Grow
Start & Grow is a national programme run by Cavendish Enterprise and funded by the Regional Growth Fund that provides a range of pre and post start support to individuals across England looking to start a business. The programme is available to those looking to start a business which expects to employ people from its early stages and where start-up financing is required to get the venture off the ground.