Celebrating Small Business Saturday: Real Stories, Real Success
Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the incredible contributions of entrepreneurs and small businesses across the UK.
At PeoplePlus, we’re proud to support individuals taking the bold step into self-employment, helping them turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Self-employment offers the chance to create a career that’s uniquely yours. It’s about more than just work, it’s about independence, creativity, and making a difference. Small businesses are the heart of our communities.
Through the Start Up West Yorkshire programme, we’ve been privileged to work with some truly inspiring entrepreneurs. Whether it’s providing tailored business advice, offering practical resources, or delivering ongoing mentoring, we’re here to help small business owners achieve their goals.
As we gear up for Small Business Saturday, we’ll be sharing success stories from individuals we’ve supported. These stories showcase the passion, determination, and ingenuity that define West Yorkshire’s entrepreneurial spirit.
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, there’s no better time to explore the possibilities. Let this Small Business Saturday inspire you to take the first step, and remember, our team at PeoplePlus is here to guide you every step of the way.
Join us in celebrating small businesses and self-employment this weekend and beyond—because every success story starts with a simple idea.
Check out some of our successful entrepreneurs below.
Chris
The Virtual IT Director Ltd
Based in Wakefield, Chris, founder of The Virtual IT Director Ltd, is revolutionising IT support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). From humble beginnings as a tea-maker to Technical Director of an IT company, Chris built a 23-year career before launching his own business.
Spotting a gap in the market, he created a subscription-based virtual IT director service to help SMEs navigate the complex world of IT vendors. The Virtual IT Director offers tailored advice on IT solutions, ensuring businesses make informed, cost-effective decisions.
Chris's passion goes beyond business. Through the Wakefield Technology 4 All Hub, he provides free recycled IT equipment and services to families, schools, and charities, making a significant impact in the community.
Support from Start Up West Yorkshire has been pivotal. Their expert guidance and feedback boosted Chris’s confidence, helping him rediscover skills and build a thriving business.
Reflecting on his journey with Start Up West Yorkshire, Chris says, "It’s a top-class service. If you want your new business to succeed, you’d be a fool not to take advantage of these industry experts."
Meg
Meg J Gardner Fashion
Meg, founder of Meg J Gardner Fashion, shares her journey of creating a sustainable, bespoke fashion brand in Kirklees with support from PeoplePlus. Initially focused on bespoke garments, Meg aimed to expand into ready-to-wear, business-to-business fashion, offering an alternative to the fast fashion culture in the North.
Seeking guidance, Meg worked with her dedicated business coach at Start Up West Yorkshire, receiving invaluable advice and attending webinars on marketing, finance, and more. This support accelerated the growth of her brand, making the transition smoother and faster than expected.
Looking ahead, Meg has exciting plans in the works. Reflecting on her experience with Start Up West Yorkshire, she says, “It's a fantastic opportunity to expand knowledge and grow skillsets.”
Maya & Ben
Remap Mental Fitness
Maya and Ben, founders of Remap Mental Fitness, aim to make mental fitness as common as physical fitness. Their journey began with Maya’s recovery from Ulcerative Colitis using visualisation and Ben’s personal experience with anxiety. Together, they introduced visualisation techniques to improve mental wellbeing.
Although they’ve worked with big brands like Nike and Lego, Remap needed support with strategy, finances, and marketing, which is where PeoplePlus helped. Through five detailed workshops, Maya and Ben gained practical tools and insights, improving their sales and marketing efforts.
Ben summed up their experience with PeoplePlus, saying, “The are the most detailed and useful workshops I’ve attended.”
Karen
Sanyan
Karen, founder of Sanyan, a fashion brand that creates clothing to fit women’s changing bodies, started her journey after struggling to find clothes that fit due to pregnancy, hormonal changes, and weight fluctuations. She wanted to help other women facing the same challenge by offering stylish, adaptable solutions.
When Karen joined PeoplePlus' Start Up West Yorkshire programme, she needed advice on financial management, marketing, and funding. PeoplePlus guided her in organising her finances and set clear financial goals. They also connected her with organisations like AD and Leeds Beckett University’s Knowledge Exchange, opening doors to funding and mentorship opportunities.
Karen says, “I’ve made incredible connections that have given my business the momentum it needed.” With their support, she is now in a stronger position to pursue investor funding and further training.
Looking ahead, Karen plans to expand her online store and collaborate with other creative entrepreneurs. She reflects, “PeoplePlus can help you stop procrastinating and turn your dreams into goals and actions. Their support has been a game-changer for my business.” Sanyan is now well on its way to making a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
