Pushing The Button on your future is a big leap; find out just how rewarding it can be by hearing from others’ experiences

We’ve had great success with this project, supporting more than 1,000 individuals across the D2 area so far.

We’re proud to present some of the many success stories where we’ve helped turn individual ideas into a business reality.

D2 Business Starter Programme Support Showcase

Listening and acting upon feedback is an important part of running and growing a successful project

Discover what people have said about our range of workshops…

Elaine Tomlinson – BeBalletFit Midlands

Elaine Tomlinson is a dance teacher whose mission is to bring the joy of movement to Derbyshire communities. The D2 Business Starter Programme gave her the confidence to dance to her own beat.

Read BeBalletFit Midlands case study

Matthew Hilton-Webb – The Cloth Filter Co

Furlough and the seeds of a sound business idea led Matthew Hilton-Webb to join the D2 Starter Programme. The Cloth Filter Co. is a Whaley Bridge based company that produces and supplies organic, handmade cloth coffee filters to the speciality coffee market.

Read The Cloth Filter Co case study

Helen Eleftheriou – The Early Talent Consultancy

Helen Eleftheriou is founder of The Early Talent Consultancy. Her goal is to educate employers on the benefits of hiring young people and work with employers to increase access to careers opportunities for young people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or social background

Read The Early Talent Consultancy case study

Claire Zwonzny-Bestwick – CRZyBest

Claire Zwozny-Bestwick is an eco-friendly silversmith and sculptor whose business, CRZyBest, shines brightly as a result of the D2 Business Starter Programme. Claire is a creator of original & bespoke gifts, jewellery, accessories and alternative bouquets, based in Derby

Read CRZyBest's case study

Richard Bradbury – Iron Age Archery

Richard Bradbury’s Chesterfield archery range brings together the benefits of being in woodland with a fun, inclusive and mindful activity. Realising his dream to introduce the benefits of this ancient pastime to others.

Read Iron Age Archery's case study

Sarah Hodgkinson – Crafty You, Crafty Me

Sarah Hodgkinson is an engineer-cum-crafter, based in Hilton. When redundancy came knocking during Covid, she put her technical background to good use by designing her own craft products. Sarah is the creator of beautiful craft kits for adults and children.

Read the Crafty You, Crafty Me case study

Holly Morris – The Mental Health Teacher

Holly Morris used her background as a primary school teacher and her interest in mindfulness to launch a business that would seek to nurture mental wellbeing in children.

Read the Mental Health Teacher case study

Anna Kelynack-Boddy – Yogic Frog

Anna Kelynack-Boddy’s wellbeing, mindfulness and yoga business continues to leap forward with the help of the D2 Business Starter Programme curriculum.