Cherene Fox – Csenses
Client Testimonial :
”I feel very excited for the future and feel I will be able to create something that is not currently available to Sandwell residents. I am looking forward to helping my clients and making their lives better for their future.”
BEFORE What was the state of play with client?
Having previously experienced loss during pregnancy and knowing how that felt, I wanted to be able to help women who had experienced this. As a fully qualified masseur I knew that this could help them but didn’t know how to make this into a business.
What did SWEDA do? Describe what actions we took.
I saw my business advisor, Des, who recognised that my idea was a social enterprise and registered me onto the FUSE workshops, which were aimed at people who wanted to set up a social enterprise. I was also told about the BOOST funding available to help me start the business.
I attended the workshops, which I found extremely helpful and they gave me a lot of guidance and insight into setting up a CIC and what I needed to do.
During my regular one to one sessions with Des and Claire we discussed different elements of setting up the business and how it would become sustainable.
It was during these sessions I had the idea of expanding my massage service to include holding events for people who have experienced losing a baby, trauma during birth and even domestic violence. Without these one to one sessions I don’t feel I would have expanded my thoughts to include these extra elements. I am now excited at the prospect of being able to host events as well as the day-to-day operation of running my business.
Claire’s support with me in completing the cashflow forecast has proved to be instrumental in me receiving the BOOST grant for £10,000
Anything else to add? Have SWEDA changed anything as a result?
Exciting times ahead, without the help and support of Des, Claire and the team at SWEDA, I don’t think this would have been achievable, I will be forever grateful for the support and guidance I received to make this social enterprise a reality.
Due to my grant application being successful I can now start the business. By starting CSenses, I can now make a difference to the lives of those people who have experienced baby loss, birth trauma and domestic violence.
The grant has also enabled me to create the events to bring these people together in a safe space and create a network between themselves, providing peer to peer support and friendship.
