‘I’d reached a crossroads – Create Growth inspired me to make some changes’ 

Participating in Create Growth was a reminder of the importance of getting the basics right. So says Jonny Prest, owner of Seed and one of the first 23 firms to recently complete the £1.3m East Midlands Create Growth programme.

Jonny’s Leicester-based small business works closely with research institutions, using a variety of storytelling and creative communication tools, including podcasts and animations, to share often complex results and findings in an engaging and simple way.

“The most valuable part of the programme for me was being around others and hearing that they have similar experiences and how they deal with certain issues,” Jonny said.

“The masterclasses were a great reminder of how important it is to get the basics right.

“That is the foundation of any business and revisiting some of that stuff was really useful for me.”

Jonny explained that Create Growth came at a crucial time for him.

“The business has had a challenging year, the course offered time to reflect and the programme was an opportunity for me to dedicate some time to doing that,” he added.

“I’d reached a crossroads with where the business was at, with balancing work and home life, and taking part in the programme has given me the time to assess my situation and has inspired me to make some changes.

“I feel like, after the programme, I now have a clear vision of what I want the business to look like, how I want it to grow, and the timescale I want that to happen over.”

Seed was one of the companies that made up the inaugural East Midlands Create Growth cohort.

Jonny was joined by SMEs from across Leicester, Leicestershire, Derby and Derbyshire, Lincoln and Lincolnshire, and Rutland in benefitting from the eight-week programme.

Those on the course ranged from marketing and design agencies, architects, theatre companies and video producers.

The aim of the programme, organised and led by the East Midlands Creative Consortium (EMC²), is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to move creative businesses to investment readiness.

Cohort 1 member businesses completed an initial business health check, attended a full day business boot camp and networking event, and logged on to eight virtual masterclasses covering themes including leadership, marketing, sales, finance and business planning.

As well as the 90-minute masterclasses – delivered by industry experts – all participants were assigned intensive investment readiness support and five hours with an industry-specific mentor.

EMC² aims to support 100 creative businesses across three years through four cohort groups. Cohort 2 is recruiting now and will offer a similar level of support to the first group.

Applications for the programme are open now – anyone interested in applying can find out more here.

Picture shows Jonny Prest, owner of Seed Communications.