Sarah channels lifetime career experience to support business and people thanks to Staffordshire start-up support

One of the first recipients of the county council’s Staffordshire Start-up Loan Scheme is using a long career in HR and recently mastered life coaching qualification to support people and business after launching her own company.

The scheme was launched last autumn – providing interest-free loans between £3,000 and £5,000 to people who had successfully completed the Staffordshire Start-up Support Programme or similar mentoring scheme. The support programme focuses on the county’s priority sectors and provides advice and guidance on a range of issues. It is administered by the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, while the loan scheme is delivered by the county council.

Rugeley-based Sarah Hodgson, an experienced HR professional who decided the time was right to launch her own business last summer. Her company, SJH Coaching Ltd, provides both life coaching and HR support to individuals and businesses, whether through a transformational programme, commitment to motivate and develop employees or personal development with careers and lifestyle decisions.

With a £5,000 loan, Sarah purchased a new laptop, software, faster internet service and a purpose-built coaching room in her new home. This is in addition to marketing, ongoing training and professional membership.

Sarah can be contacted at: sjhcoaching.hr@gmail.com

To find out more about the Staffordshire Start-up Programme, the Staffordshire Start-up Loan Scheme and all other business advice, contact the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub or call 0300 111 8002.

A thriving centre for small businesses offering commercial units in South Staffordshire is set to treble in size to accommodate 100 more jobs through an expansion announced by the district council this week.

The expansion of Four Ashes Enterprise Centre will create an additional 35,000 square foot of commercial units. It is ideal for start-up and growing businesses wanting a central location.  The development just off the A449 between Wolverhampton and Stafford, is due to be completed Spring 2021.

Owned and managed by South Staffordshire Council, the centre’s prime location provides excellent rail, road and airport links.  Major road network connections, including the M54 Junction 2 and the M6 Junction 12 (via the A5) are only two miles away. Main coast rail networks are available at both Stafford and Wolverhampton railway stations, with Birmingham International Airport accessible by rail or a 30-minute drive. 

The existing centre has been a popular location for businesses since it was built in 2004, with demand always being high. To meet the need for additional commercial units in the area, the council is backing its growth plan by investing £24 million across all its business sites to support local businesses and the wider economy.

The new units will vary in size, ranging from 936 square foot to 4,000 square foot. 

This expansion, which has been procured to West Midlands family run construction firm G.F Tomlinson, will see the Enterprise Centre treble in size from 15,600 square foot to 50,572 square foot and provide high quality commercial business space to let for B1, B2 and B8 Planning Use Class Orders.

Any business wanting more information or interested in letting a unit should contact  South Staffordshire Council on telephone 01902 696117 or 01902 696480 or email  a.france@sstaffs.gov.uk or h.bains@sstaffs.gov.uk

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