Aroundtown Magazine January/February 2024 edition

FAMILY
Eye opening
business support
for Brinsworth’s Bright Optics
All good businesses
start with a vision.
But when Simon and Karen Athey
had their sights set on opening
Brinsworth’s first independent
opticians, they called upon the
advice and support of Rotherham
Launchpad to help them see their
way through the process.
Launchpad is a free programme
aimed at empowering entrepreneurs
to achieve their goal of creating their
own business. Through a range
of workshops, expert advice, and
one-to-one support, they can help
businesses at any point in their
journey to reach their full potential.
After 20 years working as an
optician, Simon and his wife Karen
decided to start their own business,
Bright Optics Limited, at the
beginning of last year.
Freedom and flexibility are what
the couple values the most about
working for themselves, as they can
stock a wide scope of items unique
to their cliental. They also wanted to
provide a more personal service and
connect with their clients.
The pair made their first step in
their journey when they reached out
to Rotherham Launchpad.
They were given a dedicated
business adviser who worked closely
with them providing one-to-one
support, online workshops and
pointing them in the right direction so
they could forge their own path. They
had support with everything from fine
tuning their business plan, to being
made aware of business grants that
they could access.
Through Launchpad, they also
worked with credible specialists in
areas like social media, marketing
and search engine optimisation to
help develop and enhance their
bright and bold business.
Simon and Karen’s dream was to
open their own store in the village
they’d lived in for 25 years. But they’d
struggled to find anything suitable
the right location. Launchpad helped
with regular property searches until
the couple found the perfect unit on
Brinsworth Lane.
They opened to clients in October,
but know that their business adviser
and the rest of the Launchpad
team will continue to support them
throughout their journey.
Karen said: “Rotherham
Launchpad has been invaluable to
our business journey and helped to
build our confidence immensely. The
people that run it are friendly, helpful,
and extremely knowledgeable. It
feels like you’re talking to someone
who really invests in you and your
idea and wants to see it succeed as
much as you do.”
Simon said: “We know first-hand
how nerve-wracking it can be to
go through this process and quite
literally hand over your hopes and
dreams for your future. But after the
amazing experience we’ve had, I say
just do it. The team will be able to
guide you in the right direction and
help turn your business idea into
your reality.”
If you want to see your business
plan come to life, contact
Rotherham Launchpad to see
how they can help.
ROTHERHAM LAUNCHPAD
We’re offering free expert advice,
support and workshops to help turn
your idea into a business or get
your new business off the ground!
Turning ideas
into businesses
www.ridobusinesshubs.co.uk
52 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk