Breakthrough: Start up a business (with confidence)
Breakthrough boosts new business confidence.
Airbnb Co-founder, Brian Chesky, said, “If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life.”
For Molly Edgecombe having the business idea to start up her own swimwear brand, Merryn Label, was a natural progression from her years of formal training and operating freelance as a lingerie and swimwear CAD designer. This was coupled with an annoyance towards the throwaway culture of the fashion industry.
Molly said:
I wanted my swimwear items to become the antidote to the fast, ‘wear it once’ disposable fashion industry whilst also remaining stylish and luxurious.
Testament to this is that Merryn Label’s products are created with both style and sustainability in mind, designed in her hometown of Penzance, Cornwall, and made from regenerated ocean waste.
I wanted to start up my business with the circular economy in mind – I live by the sea and I love the ocean and so it’s important to me that my footprint is kept minimal, respecting mother nature and keeping that at the heart of my business.
A business idea – what next?
A passion and idea turned reality: Molly’s business launched in early 2021. Wheels set in motion, suppliers secured, and her new website launched with the first customers browsing swimwear ready for summer.
Molly said:
Despite all of this excitement, I felt lost. I felt quite overwhelmed with everything that I needed to do but also unsure that I was doing things right.
Most of the businesses we work with on the Breakthrough programme have felt what Molly felt and it is completely normal to self-doubt, worry over failure and even feel like an imposter when things are going well.
Jennie Wason, Breakthrough Business Development Manager, said:
As Business Development Managers we see start up business owners struggle with confidence, and it is to be expected, this is all new and you’re most probably having to do things that you’ve never done before. Confidence is something that is earnt and that you’ll develop along the way.
Turn to Breakthrough to boost business confidence
During Breakthrough’s four-part online workshop we start from the beginning looking at your business’ value proposition, your perfect customer, marketing and tackle the finances. All these areas help to build a model tailored to your business, acting as a plan for structuring your business towards growth.
Molly explained:
I had really over complicated what I thought I needed to do in the business.
Breakthrough helped me realise that actually if I put in the hard work, ask for help, then nothing seemed impossible! Instead of not wanting to take the risk and feeling brash, I am now making informed decisions, with confidence and without feeling nervous.
As a start-up business owner you don’t need to know it all, you just need to understand the areas that you need the most support in.
Jennie said,
Surround yourself with the coaches, mentors and training you need to build knowledge in those areas and as you do, you’ll understand more and develop new skills. You might trip up as you go along but that is totally to be expected, because you’ll learn as you grow your business, each time with more confidence.
Breakthrough aims to inspire and transform young businesses. Whether you’re a start-up or in the early stages of running your business, get in touch by telling us about your business to find out how we can support you on your business growth journey, Breakthrough is ERDF funded for businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.