Success stories

What began as a personal hobby turned into a full-scale business with support under the RISE Hastings Programme and a £25,000 Start Up Loan, transforming a former salon into a bustling local hotspot. Today, Cured Delicatessen is not only reviving traditional charcuterie, but also contributing to the regeneration of Harold Road and bringing the community together – one salchichón at a time.

With over 70 years of combined experience, Gareth & Andrew they turned their vision into reality – crafting bespoke metalwork and shaping the future of their industry. Supported by the RISE Hastings Programme, they navigated the challenges of launching a business, setting a foundation for growth, innovation, and future apprenticeships.

Owner of organisation and decluttering business, Next Chapter Decluttering, wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest-funded Her Biz Start-Up Business workshops.

Owner of Zerenity Creates wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest funded Her Biz Start Up Business workshops.

Karen Clarke’s Journey from Hobbyist to Business Owner: How the Her Biz Program Empowered the Launch of Coker and Clarke Fabric Store.

Owner of organic, vegan cake company, Cloud Pixie Cakes, wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest funded Her Biz Start Up Business workshops.

Alison Purdy is a Glass and Mirror Designer from Hastings who makes decorative and unique design windows and mirrors. We talked to her about her 25-year business journey and how support from Let’s Do Business Group lit up her path of success.

Owner of NK Calligraphy wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest funded Her Biz Start Up Business workshops.

Owner of Adaptive Motorhome Hire wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest funded Her Biz Start Up Business workshops.

A new private fitness facility has recently opened in St Leonards with support from Hastings RISE to receive a Start Up Loan

Owner of Olmo Nutrition, Tibby King-Smith, wins £500 to jumpstart her business which offers a range of nutritional services for individuals and businesses through the NatWest funded Her Biz business programme

Melinda Adams, Founder of We Click CIC and Director of Incredible Thinks Ltd, wins £500 to jumpstart her businesses which aims to support people facing difficulties in life through the NatWest funded Her Biz business programme 

Owner of sustainable, sensitive skincare brand, Erema Botanics, wins £500 to jumpstart her business from the NatWest funded Her Biz Start Up Business workshops.

Owner of Unstoppable Girls, Sarah Gaunt, wins £500 to jumpstart her business which aims to support and inspire females with ADHD through the NatWest funded Her Biz business programme 

At Let’s Do Business Group, we support anyone that wishes to take the leap and change their trajectory in life, through a range of services such as 1-2-1 business support, to free workshops, and advice to help you bring your business idea to life.

Breathing new life into your wardrobe: owner of The Revival Consignment Boutique Jackie Hitchins wins £500 to launch through Her Biz programme

Spanish on Sea, the town’s new Spanish language school, brings a range of courses to anyone that wants to brush up on their Español or learn a new language in their new hub in Hastings Town’s Creative Media Centre.

Raise a toast: mobile bar company Sloe Drinks flourishes with support from the CHART project

Tucked away on the outskirts of Hastings Town Centre, The Yard on Waterworks Road is a colourful and re-purposed industrial space, which harbours an ever-growing community of over 40 creative businesses.

Cake Maker Katja from Katja’s Cakes based at The Yard, Hastings explains how she has been able to organise her business and find her worth with the support of the CHART programme and Let’s Do Business Group.

Chloe and Bethany won £500 towards their start up costs for Secret Host by taking part in the Her Biz programme for aspiring female entrepreneurs in East Sussex and Kent, and then submitting their winning business plan.

Along the bustling Kings Road in St Leonards, you might have noticed a new addition to the high street. An unassuming shop front, with luxurious upholstered furniture in the window, and mouth-watering bagels in the back.

My Biz Start Up business workshop participant and recent winner, Ashley Beebe, aims to add to the tasty street food offering in Hastings with business idea Fries for Days.

My Biz Start Up business workshop participant, Safia Khan, plans to use her passion for raw foods and tasty treats to create a viable business out of her idea for Chocaterre – a vegan and gluten free take handmade chocolates.

Amy Buckland, owner of Little Koala, has won £500 towards start up costs for her business after completing a series of workshops and winning the Her Biz business plan competition for aspiring female entrepreneurs in East Sussex and Kent.

Entrepreneur Clare Hughes, owner of online clothing boutique ‘Relics on Sea’ was able to bring her idea for accessible and sustainable alternative fashion to life by taking part in the interactive Ready for Business Start Up workshops delivered by Let’s Do Business Group.

Kickstart to launch for Amba Accessories: owner Rachel Pullen wins £500 to launch business after taking part in Her Biz start up workshops.

Introducing HEIST. Market, St Leonards on Sea. Opening their doors with the support of CHART.

Anois Art receives Her Biz prize for the launch of online art platform supporting female and non-binary artists.