Mum Who Has Launched Website Design Business Gains National Recognition

The 33-year-old designs, updates or modifies websites, provides maintenance and servicing and holds tutorials for business owners who want to look after their websites themselves. Her clients are based from Lincolnshire to Banbury and she has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Business Mum of the Year category for The Family Network National Business Recognition Awards 2020.

The Challenge

Amy, who lives in Whitnash with her husband, Ben, and their two-yearold daughter Rosie, returned to work part-time as an engineer at a food production equipment company in Birmingham after her maternity leave ended. To fill the financial gap, the 33-yearold began to write a blog about the different small jobs she had been doing, from mystery shopping to website testing – and it was spotted by a company director who asked if she could build a website for his business. She had always wanted to run her own business and this gave her the impetus she needed to turn her ambition into reality.

The Solution

After launching Amy Dudbridge Website Design, the mum-of-one contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust who suggested she get in touch with the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub for practical help and support. She also joined the Leamington branch of The Family Network which supports mums, dads and families in business with free networking events and affordable workshops.

The Result

Amy’s skills are transferrable because she is used to working with Computer Aided Design and she signed up to several training courses to find out more about the technical aspects of website building as well as learning coding. As well as working from home, she hot-desks at venues in and around Leamington to meet like-minded business professionals.

She has received practical help from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) by being assigned a mentor as part of the Accelerated Growth Programme run by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. The programme is part of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Support Programme that is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Amy decided to enter The Family Network National Business Recognition Awards and was delighted to find out she has been shortlisted in the Business Mum of the Year category – the winners will be announced at a glitzy ceremony at the Hilton Hotel Bournemouth on Saturday, March 28.

She said: “After setting up my business, I found out there is a huge support network out there on my doorstep and the Growth Hub has given me great links. “I always wanted to run my own business; to begin with I didn’t know what in, but this has worked out perfectly. “It is really flexible and fits in around my working hours and looking after our daughter. Networking and the contacts I have built up locally have been a really important part of growing my business.”

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Client testimonials

Without the Growth Hubs help and assistance, we would never have been able to increase our sales & output and also grow our local business. With this help in purchasing new equipment we have expanded our operations and gained a new and increased customer base.

Nuneaton Roof Truss,

Over the past few years, Armstrongs has built up a fantastic relationship with Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub. His advice on grants and funding has been really valuable to both Armstrongs and some of our clients. His knowledge of local business support has been helpful in signposting us to relevant support agencies as required. We look forward to working with Laura Delahunty moving forwards.

Armstrongs Accountancy LTD,

In the short time since first engaging with the Warwickshire Growth Hub we feel that Laura has understood our vision and has been so very supportive in linking us to the specialist teams who are now supporting us with training, finance and recruitment. A great service that every growing organisation should connect with

MES Systems Limited,

I have had an excellent experience working with Laura from the Growth Hub, from day one, she was taking detailed attention to my concerns and ideas. She was able to put me in contact with different organisations and people to find out answers to my questions and help me to solve some inquiries I was having. I feel this support definitely had a positive impact in my plans.

PALACIOS LTD,

It’s been a fantastic inaugural eight months for the TalentTech Recruitment team and, although the reality of setting up and running a company can be a somewhat daunting experience, we have been extremely grateful for the superb help, advice and guidance given to us along our journey by Gavin Barnett and the team at CW Growth Hub. Gavin’s introductions to both Warwick & Coventry Universities and his wider business network have been absolutely invaluable.

TalentTech Recruitment LTD,

For many individuals out there, it is very hard to figure out ways and know which direction to go when it comes to setting up a business. The challenges of taking your idea and bringing it to life and not knowing where to go and who to speak to for advice. it can get very frustrating..

King of Saffron LTD,

This grant [which we received with the help of the Growth Hub and Coventry City Council] will really help us get on track for business growth and succeed with our vision. Personally, I would also like to thank the team for supporting me through the grant application process. You have been very approachable and attentive throughout.

Exeter Analytical (UK) Limited,

Thank you for the comprehensive and professional guidance

Burbidge & Son Ltd,

Over the years since the Growth Hub was set up we have habitually gone to our Account Manager as a one-stop shop for all business-related information. It has been a really convenient way of finding suppliers, advisors and, on one occasion, we even asked for assistance with finding customers. We are invited to a wide range of business events including business development workshops, Brexit roundtable discussions, seminars on various topics and have also been asked to speak at some events. When we have needed additional information, for example, finding finance sources or help with selecti

Marchantcain Design Limited,

Thanks to CW Growth hub getting us access to grant funding we have been able to invest in the latest computer monitoring system, which will enable us to compete with the national companies within our industry.

Comrie Leisure Limited,