Growing and Scaling Your Design Business

You’ve finally launched your brilliant, sustainable business idea, your sales channels are performing well, and operations are running like clockwork - well, more or less! Now you have the foundations, how do you go about navigating those next tricky steps to growth? Scaling doesn’t just mean turning your small business into a big business; it’s a slow process to build up from your foundations. An important place to start is to ask whether your business is ready. This month’s masterclass empowers entrepreneurs with the tools to make the next step confidently.

The masterclass is structured to help you in the planning and preparation for growing and scaling and addresses the nuances of different growth phases. We begin by exploring the different ways a business can scale, then move on to planning a growth strategy, taking into account the individual circumstances of your product-market fit. Next, crowdfunding expert, Jeroen Van Der Heide shares his experience in helping social enterprises scale, and Maria Pesin will discuss the opportunities for expansion into the US fashion market. A considerable challenge can be simply deciding which of the many, exciting new directions your business should take. Our incredible case studies this month, ranging from a high-growth kids craft business to an innovative materials design company, to the founders of inspirational social and charitable movements, share the choices they made when scaling.

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Introduction to Growing and Scaling, NatWest
with Nick Howe

Summary

Nick Howe is a NatWest Enterprise Manager and works with agencies, charities, councils and universities across London to provide support and advice on getting started in business. He's also an expert in the ways of growing a business and adapting to the changing environments. In this video, he talks through the different methods for scaling a business, including hiring, acquisition, exports, and making the right funding decisions for your growth plan.
We invited Nick back for this Growing and Scaling masterclass after his brilliant segment all about Funding. Return to the Funding masterclass to watch Nick’s video, where he talked through the funding options available, things to consider before you look for funding and where to apply for it.

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Developing a Growth Plan Strategy, CPG Executive Consulting (Video)
with Helen Roberts

Summary

Ambition is always a key factor when growing and scaling, but keeping your feet on the ground and making a solid plan will yield firmer results than just being able to dream big. Scoping the market, doing your research, and understanding precisely what it is you want to achieve will lay the groundwork for your business to thrive.
Helen Roberts is the founder and Director of CPG Executive Consulting, Richmond Foodies, and StartUp Richmond. Helen is a Fast Growth Business Strategist for SMEs, using her incredible experience of growing a million-pound business within 12 months to help young companies build effective growth strategies. She is also an entrepreneur and investor herself, with first-hand knowledge of growing companies to yield six and seven-figure turnovers. In this video, she talks through how to plan your growth around your product and your market, the steps to growing a business, and common mistakes to watch out for.

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