The East Sussex Start-ups to Look Out For
As a part of #StartUpSeptember, we wanted to highlight some interesting independent businesses founded in 2022.
Start Up September is a campaign that Let’s Do Business Group run throughout September, highlighting opportunities available for entrepreneurs to take their idea from concept to reality and showcasing some fantastic stories.
The following start-ups have strong foundations, reaching a niche often overlooked or impassioned by bold visions, and in a matter of months have found their feet and are flourishing beautifully. Whether you are personally interested in their services or want to admire the work they’ve done, we implore you to look further into the businesses below:
Electric Car Converts, Lewes
Run by Barnaby Birkbeck, the company converts Land Rovers and other vintage classic cars and converts them to 100% electric power, so beautiful old cars can be “recycled” and be given a new lease of life in the modern world. They both convert the cars of their clients and source ones themselves, preserving the hertitage of classic cars while working towards a cleaner, greener world for future generations. Not only are electric cars better for the planet – no more smoke or fumes – but they are more reliable and are significantly cheaper to run in the long-term. Before making any decisions, Electric Car Converts will allow you to book a test drive in one of their vehicles.
The Bottle of Hastings, Hastings
Under the belief that wine is one of life’s greatest pleasures and should be accessible at reasonable prices, family-owned wine shop The Bottle of Hastings has settled into Queens Road in Hastings. While priding themselves on making good wines available in an unpretentious and friendly environment, the owners choose products from smaller, family-run vineyards across Europe. They also offer some of their wines on tap to create less waste and minimise their carbon footprint. If you might struggle to get down to Hastings to visit their store, they offer free local delivery all over East Sussex too!
The Pamper Lounge, Uckfield
The Pamper Lounge, available exclusively for private hire, is a party space for all occasions! Depending on the package you choose, you could enjoy a breakfast board, afternoon tea, or a luxurious graze board with your closest friends and family. There is a fully licenced bar for wines, spirits and cocktails (with mocktails available for the children) and they also provide pamper services like manicures, pedicures, facials, and more! Even though they have only been in operation for a few months, they have already been awarded the Wellness Specialists of the Year Award. A unique party experience, The Pamper Lounge is ideal for little princesses and grown-up princesses alike!
GoodNews For Life, Eastbourne
Run by Zimbabwean nurse Shine Ndebele, GoodNews For Life is a recruitment agency aiming to help nurses, carers and other health care professionals find employment in the UK. The aim when setting up their office was to provide a trustworthy service that would allow medical professionals to migrate over without fear of falling victim to exploitation or human trafficking. As a result, they have since won a Zimbabwe Achievers award and gained a well-deserved positive reputation.
The Little Green Pet Shop, Lewes
The Little Green Pet Shop is dedicated to making and supplying natural dog treats, chews, toys and treatments. Owner Reece’s extensive experience in the pet industry has equipped him with expert knowledge of pet nutrition – almost 20% of dogs in the UK have allergies (including Reece’s own dog Daphne, his biggest inspiration), so his products have no grains or fillers in them to make them as hypoallergenic as possible. They are also produced locally on the Sussex coast, wherever possible using “lower impact meats” like chicken and duck, for the sake of sustainability. And on that note, they have recently teamed up with Ecologi so that a tree will be planted in the rainforest with every purchase!
The Kind Table, Rye
Tucked away in the heart of Rye, The Kind Table prides itself in being the only shop in town that is entirely eco-friendly and plastic-free, a lifestyle and refill store that promotes ethical and sustainable living practices. The three founders moved from South London to Rye several years ago with the aim of promoting how making small changes to everyday living can make a big difference to the world. Their range of products – from bamboo toothbrushes to loose leaf teas – do just that while being extremely affordable!
Not Boxed Up, Hailsham
Lottie Doweswell turned to working in care after finding herself unfulfilled elsewhere and worked for ten years as an Activities and Wellbeing coordinator in care homes. This is how the idea formed to create a company where activity boxes could be supplied to elderly people in care homes across the country. Each one is tailored to the individual, catering to their capabilities while giving them valuable independence and opportunities to be creative on their own terms. The boxes are designed to be suitable for residential, nursing and dementia care homes so no one has to miss out.
Throughout September, we are highlighting opportunities available for entrepreneurs over on the Let’s Do Business Group website and social media accounts as well as clinics available to seek assistance from experts, to help take your idea from concept to reality, and showcasing some fantastic stories of people just like you who have followed their dream and turned their idea or hobby into a successful business.
