Melanie Jenkins third generation co-owner of Portsmouth family business Solent Sewing Machines Ltd sells industrial and domestic sewing machines. She shares her experience of attending the University of Portsmouth’s fully funded Help to Grow Management course.
The Help to Grow Management Course at the University of Portsmouth is a fully funded program. It aims at helping small business owners and managers improve leadership skills and business growth. Over 12 weeks, participants complete 12 modules, receive 10 hours of personalised mentoring and join peer networking sessions. This designs to increase revenue, reduce costs, and enhance employee engagement.
Melanie Jenkins, of Solent Sewing Machines Ltd , joined the course with her daughter after discovering the opportunity at a university open day. The mentorship, paired them with an experienced professional from the manufacturing sector. The mentor helped them streamline their operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and expand their export reach.
Melanie shared with us:
”I am looking forward to Growth in my business and the personal growth I achieved with this course. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking at ways to look at business differently, to work out what they’re doing right and what can be changed for the better”
Melanie learnt that she needed to delegate more tasks to her team and give them more responsibilities. This has gained her more time to focus on the bigger picture and the strategic direction of the business.
Upon completing the course, Melanie and her daughter developed a tailored growth action plan for their business. This plan ensured a structured path for future improvements. They also benefit from ongoing guidance through the Help to Grow alumni network, which provides continuous support as they implement their strategies.
The Help to Grow Portsmouth initiative offers small businesses like Solent Sewing Machines Ltd the tools to improve processes, boost revenue, and enhance leadership. The structured course, combined with personalised mentorship, enabled Melanie’s business to grow sustainably, making it a valuable resource for business owners looking to scale and optimize operations.