Having supported more than 14,000 local businesses large and small over its lifespan, The Growth Hub Gloucestershire is celebrating some of its biggest successes to date as its founding hub turns 10 years old in 2024.
SoGlos spoke to the Gloucester business support team to round up 10 of the most successful businesses it has helped to realise potential and maximise growth over the past 10 years.
Tubby Toms
Established in 2014 and powered by owner Tom Hughes' passion for food and experimental flavours, Tubby Tom's has grown from selling small batches of barbecue sauce at Over Farm and Stroud Market to reporting annual turnover of half a million pounds in 2022, thanks to nationwide sales spanning more than 70 of his hot sauce, pickles and seasoning products.
Tom started working with The Growth Hub in 2018, with business guide Andy Kime putting in place a growth strategy which gave him a plan to double his revenue each year; along with the courage to expand his team and get better premises — all of which Tom achieved in just four years.
PBShop
Fairford-based books wholesaler PBShop prides itself on offering the largest catalogue of titles to booksellers around the world, simplifying access to 20,000 publishers from 100 countries with flexible solutions for ordering and delivery. The business has been owned entirely by its employees since setting up as an Employee Owned Trust in 2019.
Working with The Growth Hub, the team helped the business put together a growth strategy which enabled staff to come together as a team; plan better; and understand the implications of growth.
Hetty's Kitchen
Popular Gloucestershire bakery Hetty's Kitchen supplies cafes and farm shops near and far with its cakes, traybakes and famous brownies, alongside an online brownie shop and new cafe at Gloucester Food Dock, Hetty's Place, offering brunches and sweet treats.
Having first worked with The Growth Hub in 2017, Hetty met with business navigator Holly Sweet in 2021 as she was looking for grants and funding to help protect cash flow through a period of expansion.
Through The Growth Hub, she was introduced to SWMAS (South West Manufacturing Advisory Service) — a Bristol-based manufacturing business consultancy — which was able to provide a £2,000 grant to put towards her kitchen upgrade.
Greenfields Garden Services
Founded in 1988, Greenfields Garden Services has worked with local authorities and some of the county's biggest building firms to deliver a wide range of landscaping projects for more than three decades. In 2021, a new chapter began for the company under the leadership of former professional rugby player Will Graulich and his wife Melza.
After the takeover, The Growth Hub team helped Will to become a strategic managing director to get the best out of his teams; as well as assisting with ideas on branding and operational processes; and helping to increase public awareness.
Larchtower Engineering
Gloucester-based Larchtower Engineering manufactures and supplies engineering products for a range of industries all over the world, including motorsport through its internationally respected brand, Forge Motorsport; as well as the aerospace, automotive and defence sectors as Forge Engineering.
Having sought help from The Growth Hub, the team assisted the company by carrying out a financial health check and providing a growth strategy, which helped Forge Motorsport move forward with
its finance and accounting functions.
Betsy & Floss
Handbag, basket and accessories brand Betsy & Floss was founded by Cotswolds-based Holly Delaney following a 'life-changing' trip to Morocco in 2016, supplying stylish yet practical handcrafted products which customers can personalise.
The Growth Hub team helped Holly with strategy support and guidance in the early stages of the business, as well as with business connections and upskilling in areas such as legal requirements.
Bespoke Mentoring & Training Services
Based in the Forest of Dean, Bespoke Mentoring specialises in supporting care leavers, ex-offenders, young people and adults with barriers to employment, as well as helping to implement peer mentoring systems in secondary schools across the south west.
The Growth Hub team helped the company with a growth strategy and introductions to external resources, such as bid writing and marketing, as well as supporting the company with its mission to create a new team and winning new business.
When in Rome Wine
Stroud-based winery When in Rome was started by three friends with a shared passion for vino and has grown to supply award-winning products to supermarkets such as Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Ocado. Founded on an ethos to have as little impact on the planet as possible, the company is known for offering a range of vegan wines and eco-friendly packaging.
The Growth Hub has helped the business to expand through increasing its network and awareness of the brand, as well as introducing the owners to the University of Gloucestershire's marketing society to help with advertising projects.
Lola + Blake
Launched on a 'love of sleep' by owner and managing director Kat Paterson-Browne, Longford-based Lola + Blake designs and manufactures beautiful nightwear, bedding and more through its online store, as well as for national retailers like John Lewis.
The Growth Hub business navigator Agata Seabright helped Lola + Blake from the very start of its journey, providing strategy support and guidance, along with upskilling on legal requirements such as GDPR and helping the business to build useful connections.
Griffiths Marshall
Chartered accountant Griffiths Marshall, which has offices in Gloucester and Lydney, provides accounting services for businesses from sole traders to large corporations, offering everything from bookkeeping, tax and VAT returns to tax planning, auditing and payroll.
The Growth Hub has supported its managing partner, Ian Price, to change the functions of his role by looking into the areas of greatest added value, as well as promoting the business, coaching staff and engaging in activities with the University of Gloucestershire to support new talent development.
To find out how The Growth Hub Gloucestershire could provide free support for your business, visit thegrowthhub.biz.
