Building a better world, one kitchen at a time

Claire and Oli Burdick’s love and understanding of the ocean helped shape their vision for a better future for the planet and put them on course to setting up Harbour Kitchens.

Based in Cranleigh, Surrey, the couple who together have over 30 years of combined experience in engineering and designing luxury yachts, set up their sustainable and eco-friendly kitchen business in 2018.

Keen to grow the business they approached the EM3 Growth Hub to seek some impartial and objective advice. Claire explained: “After a number of years of research and development, refining our product and investing in our production facilities, we felt we were at a point where the business could do with some outside advice to push us forward into the next stage of our business, as we were struggling to bring in the required work.”

To gain a better understanding of the couple’s plan an EM3 Growth Champion worked with the couple to complete an Orbit Chart that looked at where the business was at that time and to help assess where there were any gaps to meet their overall growth plan.

Reflecting on the process of completing the Orbit Chart, Oli said: “It was very useful to be able to see where we wanted to go and what we could get to in terms of revenue and how to do that. It was great for us to see it all written down in black and white. It suddenly all felt very achievable as well as very motivating.

Claire and Oli were then offered up to eight hours of 1-to-1 advice, coaching and mentoring from one of EM3’s Growth Hub Associates, Jarmila Yu, who is a founder and Managing Director of award-winning Surrey-based marketing consultancy YUnique Marketing.

As one of several Growth Hub Associates, Jarmila was able to share her expertise in digital marketing, which included re-checking Harbour Kitchens’ brand and marketing messages and develop a marketing strategy.

Jarmila was fantastic,” said Claire. “She has an amazing breath of experience and energy! And she really helped us determine where we needed to focus our resources is terms of marketing.”

In addition to working with Jarmila, Claire and Oli were also referred to Innovate UK Edge, which also provided business support and helped build an operational growth plan.

“Overall, the EM3 Growth Hub provided a boost in our confidence - and that was very much needed, as well as helping to give us focus and motivation,” said Oli. 

Sally Thompson, EM3 Head of Business, Commercial and Skills, said: “I’m so pleased the EM3 Growth Hub has played a role in helping to focus and shape Claire and Oli’s business plans and that Jarmila has been a great help with her digital marketing expertise. Harbour Kitchens has an exciting future ahead of it and is a shining of example of an eco-friendly and sustainable business.”

“We’re keen to support businesses like Harbour Kitchens with our fully funded one-to-one support, to reach their full potential, creating jobs and helping to boost the local economy.”

To find out how the EM3 Growth Hub can help your business grow, email sally.thompson@enterprisem3.org.uk

Alternatively book a free appointment with our Growth Hub specialists by clicking here or call 01483 478098.