The Palm of Feronia founder tells us how StartUp UK has helped her gauge her strengths and weaknesses and assess where she might need assistance.

How StartUp UK was invaluable to this one-woman business

Member stories

 is Enterprise Nation's scheme to provide free tailored support to budding entrepreneurs.

Backed by the UK government and Monzo Business, the programme delivers initiatives such as e-learning, online training, national events and flagship annual conferences throughout the UK.

As the scheme continues to run, we're talking to some of the businesses that have been taking part, to hear how it's benefited them so far. Here, we talk to 

, a natural self-care brand focused on the ancient principles of aromatherapy and crystal healing.

How did you come up with your business idea?

, but through making products for myself and my family and friends, it took on a life of its own.

As a business with a heavier split towards B2B2C (business-to-business-to-consumer), I'm working on growing my D2C (direct-to-consumer) channel, 

StartUp UK 

What challenges were you facing before you found StartUp UK?

 in my skills and ability to run a business.

Not just through learning and developing personally, but understanding my strengths and weaknesses and finding ways to make the most of my strong points, while 

. As opposed to burying my head in the sand, which can be all too easy to do!

What made you decide to use StartUp UK's support to tackle those challenges?

I saw it could help me gain a handle on my finances. For example, understanding 

, knowing what financial data to keep an eye on, etc. Being able to sensibly forecast is a skill I've never honed, but I now feel I have the format and understanding to 

How has the StartUp UK programme benefited you and your business so far?

 in particular have helped me focus on the blind spots within my business without the cost of having to hire outside contractors.

It's helped me to gauge strengths and weaknesses, assess where I might need assistance and upskill in areas I can continue to develop in-house. As a bootstrapped, one-woman business, this has been invaluable and really helped boost my confidence.

Finally, what would your advice be for aspiring entrepreneurs out there?

StartUp UK: Turn your good idea into a great business

 for resources that give you the education and inspiration to get started on your entrepreneurial journey.

Sophia Harding, founder of Palm of Feronia, in her rustic-style kitchen mixing ingredients for her skincare products

How StartUp UK's support was invaluable to this self-funded, one-woman business

The Palm of Feronia founder on how StartUp UK helped her upskill and assess where she might need assistance.

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EPICSI is a Food &amp; Beverage product development agency specialising in flavour profile, for start-ups and SMEs.
EPICSI was created to help you create market-ready products that resonnate with your consumers in a quick and efficient way. Our primary focus is to guarantee your consumer satisfaction, repeat purchases, and customer loyalty.
In addition, EPICSI offers services to help your create your own Food or Beverage business that comply with the food legislation.
Services include:
? Create Your Food Business
? Product Development
? Flavour Consultancy
I am Manon Galizzi, a Food Scientist and R&amp;D consultant specialising in flavour. With a Master&apos;s degree and Engineering degree in Food Science and Technology, I bring over 10 years of industry experience in my role as the founder of EPICSI.

Food and Beverage consultant and founder of EPICSI

Food and Beverage Consultancy

If you are an established food and beverage start-up looking to expand or enhance your product range, or if you dream of starting your own food and beverage business and want a solution that takes care of everything for you, you have come to the right place!

Once you experience our expertise, tested tools, and proven processes, you will be able to make informed choices and save time and money by getting the product right from the start. This will allow you to focus on other important aspects of

Running a small business or scaling a start-up can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies in place, you can transform your business into a sustainable and thriving brand. I specialise in helping entrepreneurs and SMEs navigate their growth journey through bespoke marketing and leadership services that deliver measurable results.
Over 20+ years of steering global brands to success, I specialise in brand/marketing strategy for luxury, FMCG, beauty, and sustainable fashion. With a focus on start-ups and SMEs, I’ve shaped visionary concepts into household names, driving growth and innovation. As a board advisor, coach and contractor, I turn ambitious ideas into profitable realities, building brands that resonate and deliver results.
Why Choose Me?
Having worked with global brands and start-ups alike, I bring a wealth of knowledge and an innovative approach to every project. My passion and goal is to make your business feel bigger, better, and positioned for success—without unnecessary complexity or corporate jargon.
Let’s work together to transform your challenges into opportunities for growth.

Founder CEO

Sally Jimson

Running a small business or scaling a start-up can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies in place, you can transform your business into a sustainable and thriving brand. I specialise in helping entrepreneurs and SMEs navigate their growth journey through bespoke marketing and leadership services that deliver measurable results.
Over 20+ years of steering global brands to success, I specialise in brand/marketing strategy for luxury, FMCG, beauty, and sustainable fashion. With

How StartUp UK's support was invaluable to this self-funded, one-woman business

How did you come up with your business idea?

Download our free StartUp UK guides

What challenges were you facing before you found StartUp UK?

What made you decide to use StartUp UK's support to tackle those challenges?

How has the StartUp UK programme benefited you and your business so far?

Finally, what would your advice be for aspiring entrepreneurs out there?

Access support to start your business

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