Nicola Coulson, founder of ‘Virtual Assist by Nicola’ transformed the setback of redundancy into the realisation of a dream and the launchpad for her own business. Through help from peer network programme Group2Grow she has found reassurance and renewed confidence to achieve her business growth ambitions.

Finding her footing back into employment after raising two children, Annie Jones, Founder of Rayleigh Marketing, launched her own business in 2015 to help other businesses get the most out of social media. With the support from the Group2Grow Peer Networking Programme, she has been able to build on her confidence, as well as make connections with other business leaders within her cohort.

Caryl Lynzy, from Colchester, created her business Butterfly Home & Pet Sitters in early 2023 after falling in love with the flexible lifestyle that home and pet sitting offered. Quickly building up her own customer base, she established her own company – and found support from the Group 2 Grow Peer Network Programme from Backing Essex Business to create a business that thrived.

Jo Hall, from Chelmsford, gained expert support and guidance for her new resilience coaching business Let’s Get On With It through the free Group2Grow Peer Network programme from Backing Essex Business, which enabled her to develop her own confidence and business mindset

After leaving her previous job at the NHS to raise her children, mum of two, Amy, founded her own business to allow flexibility around her personal life. With the support through the Group2Grow Programme, she has been able to gain a clear understanding of the intricacies of running her own business.

Deepa Graham is a breakup and divorce coach, helping others to navigate through their own emotional turmoil. Following her own struggles of going through a divorce, she set up Deevorce Coaching to support others in a similar situation. With the support from the Group2Grow Peer Networking Programme, she is now feeling more confident moving her business forward.

Leanne Johnson, founder of Chelmsford Drama Centre explains how attending Group2Grow Peer Network Programme has given her the clarity and direction to take the business forward.

An award-winning beauty business which began in a kitchen back in 2018 by a sixteen-year-old, has since expanded to two salons in Essex, with a mission to make every visit an unforgettable experience. Receiving support from Business Support Programme Backing Essex Business, Si Belle Beauty has been able to double her team and expanding her offer to her clients.

Naomi Koji-Paton, Owner of Koji Cam Photography in Epping Forest, tells us how peer network programme Group2Grow helped her to frame her business, providing her with new contacts, an understanding of all areas of running a business, and a fresh perspective on how to take things forward.

Terrell King, Owner of Quiero Design, Harlow, tells us how Backing Essex Businesses Group2Grow Peer Network programme provided him insight and perspectives that have helped him to push his business forward and plan for the future.

Essex’s Canvey Island based bespoke furniture maker Blueprint Woodcraft explains how business support service Backing Essex Business has helped them to evaluate their business, align their goals, and make connections to push the business forward.

Barry Poulter, Managing Director of Transporter Engineering Ltd, tells Backing Essex Business how the Peer Network Programme Group2Grow enabled him and his team to take a hard look at their sales and marketing strategies to future-proof their business.

Caitie Glover, Owner and business leader of neurodivergent tutoring service ‘Syper’, Chelmsford, explains how the Group2Grow Peer Network programme has helped her define her marketing strategy, assisting her to make new connections and take the time to structure her thoughts and goals.

Owner of online music academy RockAcad, David ‘Greenie’ Green thinks outside the box for his business with the help of the Group2Grow Peer Network Programme.

Owner of Colchester-based business Transition Nutrition, Michelle Paterson, finds renewed perspective and direction for her business with help from the Backing Essex Business Peer Network Programme Group2Grow..

Leah Holroyd, owner and founder of online learning company, White Bicycle, explains how peer network programme Group2Grow provided her with reassurance that she was taking her business in the right direction, and gave her a valuable opportunity to talk to other business owners at a similar stage in their own journeys.

Chelmsford based ‘Perfect Pressure Holistic Therapies’ tells Backing Essex Business about how the business was able to grow its confidence and find the right direction with the Group2Grow peer network programme.

Over 100 businesses have now benefitted from this peer network programme offered by Business Support programme Backing Essex Business, and with just 30 spaces left, could you be the next participant?

Co-founder of Private Investigations firm Verity Henton, Emma Coles explains how she joined Peer Network Programme Group2Grow in order to gain guidance for their business in gaining access to a new audience.

Cavin Selukwe, Founder and Director of Fluent Tutors, a tuition provider based in Benfleet, Essex discusses how Peer Network Programme Group2Grow has helped him to highlight areas for improvement within the business and focus his attention on maximising successful channels for obtaining future clients.