A BIG HELLO TO INSPIRED GOODBYES

A start-up company selling products to help the bereaved say their final farewells has won the Spark Business Idea 2014 competition.

The contest, organised by Stockport Business & Innovation Centre, attracted a wide range of entrants, but it was the innovative thinking and growth potential of Inspired Goodbyes www.inspiredgoodbyes.co.uk which saw them crowned the winners at a ceremony last week (Tuesday 5^th August).

Giving them an excellent run for their money was Stott and Scott www.stottandscott.com and their Floppy’wester hat concept which was a super fashionable take on one of the town’s most famous industries. Founders Jacqueline Taylor and Caroline Kelly came runners up on the day, but will also benefit from support from SBIC going forward.

Vincent Bennett of Vinnovations was the third finalist presenting to the panel of seven judges. He came up with a funky version of a traditional DIY scraper and trowel, named the dual purpose Scrowel, and T-Board, a new flooring innovation to replace tongue and groove.

But it was the Inspired Goodbyes founders Sophia Lucop-Leech and Helen Lawson who received the trophy and will now benefit from free office space for a year at SBIC and a fantastic package of expert advice to move their business forward.

Pictured (from left to right):  Sophia Lucop-Leech, Helen Lawson from Inspired Goodbyes with Councillor Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Economic Development at Stockport Council

Sophia said:

“We are so excited to win. We are just three months into our business and to now have all this expertise including an office to be based from – rather than my front room – is a dream start for us.”

The judges said the idea to unlock the opportunities to sell thoughtful gifts to help families and loved ones say their goodbyes was a great move.

President of Stockport Chamber of Commerce and judge, Sue Souter, said:

“The idea, with its wide product range potential, has the chance to become an intrinsic part of the funeral tradition.”

Tony Corcoran, incubation director at Stockport Business & Innovation Centre, said:

“We knew that Stockport was full of talent and entrepreneurial spirit and we have worthy competition winners in Sophia and Helen and their Inspired Goodbyes idea. We look forward to working with them.”

As well as space the prize consultancy package includes finance and accountancy support from RBS Corporate Banking and Clarke Nicklin, HR advice from HR Heroes and legal guidance from Gorvins Solicitors, IP advice from Appleyard Lees, branding, marketing, PR services and web support from Tangent Design and Souter PR. 

Stockport Business & Innovation Centre, which is owned by Stockport Council and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is based in Broadstone Mill and provides flexible office space specifically aimed at start-up businesses looking to make their first move into professional offices. 

It also offers mentoring and business incubation services to help start-ups develop a robust business plan and support them as they grow.

Councillor Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Stockport Council, who presented the first prize and runners up certificates to the top two businesses, said:

 “Congratulations to all finalists and well done to Inspired Goodbyes for taking top prize.

“It takes a lot of passion and determination to turn a good idea into a real business and while all entrants demonstrated those qualities the winners’ innovative spirit shone through on this occasion. They understood their market and had the most impressive growth potential. This is what strong economies are built on. I think they can look forward to a prosperous future here which is why businesses find it worth investing in Stockport.”