Backing Essex Business and Essex County Council is thrilled to announce the return of the highly successful Group2Grow Peer Network Programme in Early 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year of empowering business owners across Essex.

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.

In this post, we highlight some of the start-ups making an impact in Essex, showcasing businesses that are fuelling local growth, setting trends, and reshaping industries.

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

Supporting St Helena Hospice Through Ethical Enterprise Total Clean, in support of St Helena a commercial cleaning business based in Colchester, talks about how it ‘provides a service, whilst giving back’ and how it was able put in motion its plan for the future thanks to support from a business support programme funded by the North Essex Economic Board.

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.

The get set grow programme is open to businesses at any stage, whether start-up or established, located within the Rochford district or Brentwood borough.

We spoke to Ryan Dhindsa, Managing Director of Tuffking, a safety footwear manufacturer based in Loughton, Essex on the growth of the business in both the UK and abroad, and the importance of innovation in the safety footwear sector.

“Investment is traditionally defined as the ‘commitment of resources to achieve later benefits’”. Over the last few years, Essex has received a ton of investment to support both businesses and the wider community to thrive.

Creators of the quickly growing in popularity children’s magazine ‘POPIN’, Kids Active Media are on a mission to make early learning fun for children and prepare them for school – and got support from the Backing Essex Business team and the Create South East programme to create a plan for sustainable growth

Neuronotion Owner Emma Emma-Jane Beaumont talks about how support from Southend on Sea transformative Business Support Programme delivered by Let’s Do Business Group has improved her own self confidence and helped keep her on the right track for success.

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.

Backing Essex Business were delighted to sponsor the Start Up Business of the Year category at the 2024 Castlepoint Mayors Business Awards, which was presented to Victoria Kelly, owner of Ready, Kelly Sew

Backing Essex Business are proud to have sponsored the highly anticipated Business of the Year award at this year Uttlesford Business Awards, and presented the award to Capture House, based in Great Dunmow!

Backing Essex Business, proud sponsors of the Start Up Business of the Year award at this years Rochford District Business Awards, are pleased to announce the winner of the prestigious award are Make Your Market!

Whether it’s a start up born from an idea or a multi-generation business, Essex is a great place to start and grow a business. Here are five of the top growing businesses in Essex right now – whether it’s through innovating their business, making a name for themselves, or making waves in their respective sectors.

The second annual Uttlesford Business Awards is back for its awards ceremony on 29 February 2024, celebrating businesses and entrepreneurs in the district and their successes in the past year. Backing Essex Business are proud to be sponsoring the awards yet again this year, sponsoring the highly anticipated Uttlesford Business of the Year title.