Call for business advice
Case Study: The Filo Project
The Filo Project, a dementia day care service based in Exeter helping elderly isolated people was founded in 2014. Since starting they have been running ‘hand to mouth’, barely able to cover staff salaries. With plans to expand and hire more staff it was apparent that a lack of funding was preventing them from any future growth.
One of the founders, Liz Dennis came to Business Information Point seeking advice on funding and putting together a business plan to be prepared for when funding becomes available.
- Company Name: The Filo Project
- Website: www.thefiloproject.co.uk
How We Helped
Before approaching BIP, Liz had spoken to the development team at the East Devon Volunteer Support Agency where she first learnt that BIP might be able to help.
On contacting BIP, Liz was put in touch with business advisor Graham Woolcock.
“I received an initial consultation from Graham Woolcock. He gave me a print out of the BIP business plan which we went through in some considerable detail. We also discussed ideas and issues generated around this document. I found this extremely helpful. I have never written a business plan before and didn’t really know where to start or what it involved.”
The Results
As a result of having a one-to-one discussion with an experienced business advisor Liz gained an insight into areas of the business she had not previously thought of.
“I learned things about business which I had not known, it gave me the confidence that some of the things we were doing as a business were on track. Gave me the opportunity to stand back and receive some expert advice.”
While Liz expected funding to continue to be a challenge, having a more thorough understanding of the business and the market will ensure that they are more prepared for the future.
“My experience was a very positive one. Graham was very knowledgeable; even though my own business knowledge is scant at no point did he condescend. He had lots of good ideas and highlighted many issues I had not thought about. Following our meeting he sent me a very large number of documents, some of which will be useful in the short term, some in the long term. It demonstrated to me that he had really been fully engaged with the issues The Filo Project faces and will face in the future.”
