How we've helped Greenhill Design

Growth & Skills Hub case study

Business overview

Furniture designer and maker Ian Greenhill has run his own business for 18 years but says you’re never too established to ask for help.

I’d say it’s invaluable, really. It’s given me a new impetus and a new motivation to push forward and also given me some confidence with that to ensure that I’m doing the right things.

Ian

How we helped

Ian contacted Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Growth & Skills Hub for advice and information on how to move Greenhill Design onwards and upwards.

“I’d probably become a little bit complacent and stagnant and lost the overview that a manager needs to see where the business needs to be driven forwards,” said Ian, an experienced designer who set up his own firm in 2004, producing bespoke, handcrafted fitted kitchens and furniture. “Sometimes you’re so busy at work that you’re just focussed on the job in hand and you’re probably not really in control of the strategy and even the finances of the job.”

He contacted Growth & Skills Hub via the website and was put in touch with a personal Business Connector and Skills Connector. He was able to enrol on a series of workshops to boost his knowledge within key areas of the business, such as marketing and finances.

As well as developing the bespoke fitted furniture side of St Austell-based Greenhill Design, Growth & Skills Hub has helped to jumpstart a new e-commerce approach for Ian’s latest products, including giftware and high-end self-assembly pieces for the home.

“That’s the new side of the business I’m looking to push,” said Ian, explaining that he’s already learnt a great deal about finding his key clients and the benefits of solid market research using hard data.

“That’s really important,” he added. “To understand who your clients are.”

Ian says he enjoys all aspects of running his business – from sketching out designs in front of new customers, to making unique products and working on prices.

But he realises that you can’t sit still. All businesses, whether they’re new start-ups or established firms – have to move with the times and keep refreshing what they do.

Ian is preparing to go on another course in the next few weeks’ time which will be about e-commerce and how to make it work for his business.

“I’d certainly recommend Growth & Skills Hub,” said Ian, highlighting the benefits of regular reviews with his personal Connectors to ensure there is ‘no slip’ in momentum. “I’d say it’s invaluable, really. It’s given me a new impetus and a new motivation to push forward and also given me some confidence with that to ensure that I’m doing the right things.”

 

 

funders logos

 

 

 

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub from May 2016 -  June 2023 was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.  The project received £2,848,591.49 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. 

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub from October 2017 - June 2023 was part funded by the European Social Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. The project  received £2,885,993 of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.

Business name Greenhill Design
Website https://greenhilldesign.co.uk/
Contact number 01726 68905
Contact email [email protected]
greenhill design logo
Quote small
It’s given me a new impetus and a new motivation to push forward