BACKGROUND
Following a rewarding and dedicated career in teaching and headship, Sue started training as a celebrant in September ’22 and proudly launched her new business in the following April. Although her services are available across most of the South West peninsula, she has a special affection for her ‘home patch’ in North Devon.
As an independent celebrant, Sue creates and delivers personalised ceremonies for a wide range of life events – from weddings, funerals, and naming ceremonies to community gatherings and business launches
Drawing on her extensive experience in education, Sue has a natural ability to adapt her style to suit any occasion and to put people at ease. She has undertaken professional training in neurodivergent awareness and brings decades of hands-on experience supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families. This combination of lived and learned expertise enables her to make thoughtful adjustments and ensure every ceremony is welcoming, inclusive and accessible.
Having been in paid employment for her entire working life, Sue was used to having a team and support network around her, so she was somewhat apprehensive about the move to self-employment and was initially finding it a rather scary and lonely place.
WORKING WITH ND+
To make sure she had followed all of the relevant procedures when setting up her business, Sue contacted North Devon + and signed up for our Business Boost Programme.
Our Business Advisor kicked things off with an in-depth Business Review to discuss her plans and objectives and consider the options for drawing up a Business Plan. He also spent time looking at her marketing strategies and helping her to identify the unique selling points of her business which enabled her to fine tune the range of services she was offering.
She was also successful in applying for a small grant which she was able to use towards marketing training costs and investing in equipment to help her manage her work more efficiently.
“The business review with Stephen was valuable in helping to shape the direction of my business. It provided a space to evaluate strengths and identify areas where I could improve, build confidence, and develop new skills. The advice and guidance I received helped me to prioritise actions particularly around marketing and professional development. I now feel better equipped to respond to client needs and more confident in taking my business to the next stage of growth”.
Sue Denham, Celebrant Sue
DON’T STOP HERE
As a registered celebrant, Sue Denham is able to support couples and families in planning their ceremony in Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, Wiltshire and beyond in UK, England.
For more information about Celebrant Sue, visit her website, contact her by telephone on 07837 988120 or email hello@sue-byyourside.co.uk.
And if you want to know more about other local businesses who’ve worked with our advisors – check out the rest of our case studies.
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