Making a success of companionship
Positive mindset puts business on growth path
Starting a new venture is an exciting journey, as Adorno Companions founder Emma Doney will confirm: but it can also be a rollercoaster ride. Free business support and advice from Cool Ventures helped Emma keep faith with her dream, and give success time to build.
Adorno Companions was born of Emma’s experience of the lack of community support available to help her nan, who had Alzheimer’s Disease. Inspired to change this, Emma created Adorno. The company offers a team of companions who are matched one to one with their clients.
Helping people with things like personal transport, dog walking, housework, shopping and paperwork, Adorno Companions fill some of the gaps left by changes to the domiciliary care system.
Providing a personal connection and high-quality support, Emma’s company enables people over 65 and those with dementia to achieve daily tasks, fulfill personal goals, stay safe and live as independently as possible.
Knowledge sharing and support
It takes time for any new venture to build its profile and sales, and Emma found the early stages when the business wasn’t immediately profitable, a challenge. She joined various networks for support and to spread the word: her local chamber of commerce; a business association; and some Facebook groups. Through these contacts she learnt of the free expert business support provided by Cool Ventures, on behalf of South Gloucestershire council.
The original trigger for Emma contacting Cool Ventures was because she wanted to evaluate the strength of her business idea. The help she received included three one to one sessions: two with a business growth specialist, and one with a web business advisor, as well as accessing online training workshops. She says,
Two main lessons
Like any founder of a young business, Emma says she has learned a lot already, including two big things. Firstly, if you have a business vision, go for it! And secondly, seek support, find people you trust, and lean on them for advice and help.
Emma Doney’s persistence has certainly paid off, with Adorno Companions now growing fast. The company has 18 companions, continues to recruit to its staff team, and is helping more and more people with dementia to live independently, while giving their families and carers important respite.
With day centres running at three different venues while demand for its one to one companionship services also grows, Emma’s ambition is for Adorno Companions to eventually operate UK wide.
And with her positive mindset, anything’s achievable.
Adorno Companions | https://adornocompanions.co.uk/
