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Our Tribe

Celebrating other small businesses

Our Tribe consists of individuals and organisations who have helped, supported or inspired us on our business start up journey.  We want to celebrate them as a way of saying thank you and/or to signpost other people to their services.

A listing on this page does not a) constitute any connection or partnership (formal or informal) between us and the individual or organisation b) offer any assurances of the quality or recommendation of their services

These are the groups we hold memberships with:-
  • Federation of Small Business - member no 51926463.  FSB provides a host of services and support.  We have used the legal and business advice hub and networking events so far. https://www.fsb.org.uk/ 
  • Oxford STEM Network - community for business and thought leaders in the STEM sectors run by Su Copeland of Priddey Marketing. https://oxfordstem.network/ 
  • The Alliance - run by the irrepressible Pete Mols, is a group of incredibly supportive fellow entrepreneurs   https://outside-ideas.com/ 
  • Business Women In - free to join membership group started by Michelle Eddahar with support, networking and training opportunities https://www.businesswomenin.org/ 
  • Reloop -  founder member -  online home for flexible profesionals to grow and establish sustainable careers - brainchild of Somna Kumar https://www.reloop.co/ 
  • Barclays Eagle Labs  - https://labs.uk.barclays/locations/oxford/ our local Lab in Oxford is run by Matt Lucas - they offer support, space and events.  
  • TBAT assist organisations to get R&D and grant funding and run a brilliant Referral Partner Network of which we are a member -   https://tbat.co.uk/ 
  • Project Management Institute - world's largest project manager community https://www.pmi.org/ 
  • Good Business Foundation - Accredited Good Business Charter member https://goodbusinesscharter.com/ 

 

 

The Future Smiths  are a Community Interest Company founded by Duncan Robinson and Simone Ward-Baptiste, empowering businesses to shape their own future.  

We joined Cohort 4 of The Forge in July 2023 and over the following 10 weeks undertook an amazing business development journey under the watchful eye of Duncan and  Simone  alongside other small business owners.  

Our cohort (Cohort 4)

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We made some great contacts both in terms of colleagues from other cohorts as part of the Factory networking group and subject matter expert connections.  Shout out in particular to:

There have been many many people and organisations who have inspired us on the journey so far.  Here we celebrate some of the ones who have had considerable part to play (consciously or unconsciously) in our journey

  • Ben Garratt - Pro-sourcing solutions -  fellow new start up small business owner, and ex-Huntswood colleague, Ben has been a great sounding board to share the ups and downs https://pro-sourcing.co.uk/ 
  • Cheryl Thornton - Consultancy & Coaching - we met Cheryl at the very first network event Jannaway Freelancing attended - we clicked - she has been a huge support on our journey to date https://www.cherylthornton.co.uk/ 
  • Luke Warner - Birchlake Recruitment - without the initial support of ex-Huntswood colleague Luke our story would be still a dream https://www.birchlakerecruitment.com/
  • Phil Festa - portfolio executive - ex-Huntswood boss Phil has been a support, source of counsel and references through many job changes  https://www.linkedin.com/in/philfesta/ 
  • Mike Foster - The Entrepreneurs Mentor - we met Mike at the first OCBN event we went to.  He has provided a huge amount of support and encouragement. https://entrepreneursmentor.co.uk/ 
  • Nick Ross - Redporth Consultancy  - Nick - another ex-Huntswood colleague was instrumental in the decision to start the business as a limited company https://redporth.com/ 
  • Rali Ralista - Fitness Coach - Rali has been an inspiration as a business women and in keeping up fitness levels as we started the business https://ralifitnesscoach.com/ 
  • Su Copeland - Priddey Marketing - as well as running the Oxford STEM network, Su is owner of Priddey Marketing and a Business Advisor for local LEP/Growth Hubs and has been extremely supportive and generous in sharing her time and knowledge.  https://www.priddeymarketing.co.uk/ 
  • Sue Piper - Priors Court Foundation - another ex-colleague Sue gave the fledging business its first breakthrough and become the first client https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-piper-86b1658a/
  • Tim Major - Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce -  we haven't joined the Chamber of Commerce yet ... its on the list of actions for 2024 but Tim has been a fount of knowledge and encouragement and a real ambassador for local businesses https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-major-947625173/ 
  • Zein Al-Bader - Square4 - another ex-Huntswood colleague has been a great support, inspiration and also a client https://www.square4.com/