Barry attended the Firm Start business course at HMP Standford Hill. While in prison he had completed the NVQ in Horticulture and had become head of the gardening team. He was recommended as a potential candidate for Startup and the business course tutor helped him helped him to prepare a plan for his proposed gardening business.

Barry was invited to present his business proposal at a Startup Prisoner Entrepreneurship Day held in HMP Brixton where he gave a short presentation to a panel of 10 judges, which included the Managing Director of Forbes International and a Managing Director of Goldman Sachs. He coped well with quite a rigorous question and answer session from the judges and they were highly impressed with his plans and approach to setting up his business. Barry reported that he had found the advice and comments from the judging panel to be invaluable.

A member of Startup’s supervisory committee sat down with Barry to work through his business plan in detail. Final figures for the required equipment and materials were drawn up and Barry was awarded the maximum level of grant funding to get his business up and running.

Startup established regular contact with Barry’s probation officer who provided valuable information in support of his case. A local mentor, a keen gardener and self employed businessman, was found to provide support and encouragement to Barry. They meet regularly to discuss how best to take the business forward as well as on a friendlier, more informal basis as their relationship has developed over time. We receive regular feedback on Barry’s progress from his mentor as his gardening business grows from strength to strength.