Berry Winter, JamBery Ltd
I set up JamBerry Ltd with my husband in 2006 following a split with our previous business partners. JamBerry is a management development and training company based in East Sussex, near Eastbourne. Although we had been in training since 1997, the split gave us the opportunity to rethink our business and make some changes so that it fitted better around our approach to business and life.
We provide high quality management development, consultancy coaching and mentoring, but had a vision to provide something more. I had a strong belief that people learn best through doing so introduced incorporating a mix of training methods to include experiential learning, specifically aimed at team building and bonding, to include cooking, theatre, music and outdoor experiences.
I developed programmes that would allow corporate teams to experience new environments and ways of working together and develop new insights into their colleagues' approaches. By taking people out of their normal environment they have to develop new resources. I also wanted them to feel that this was not business as usual, that it would stretch their imaginations and be fun!
Over the past 18 months we have found suitable locations like kitchens, and qualified facilitators in the specialist areas including chefs, actors, woodsman and musicians who understand the relationship between their skill and the needs of corporate managers to work together in teams. We now have around 30 associates whom we work with on a wide range of different types of training and development. We have entertained a number of major organisations, which has been both very rewarding and great fun for all concerned.
Setting up your own business can be a bit of a rollercoaster. You need to have a good support mechanism. Working with my husband means that we can help each other over issues – although it does mean we never fully switch off from the business. There is no doubt however, that there is immense satisfaction when things go well and you can say “I did that”. Working from home has huge advantages as it means I can balance my business life with home life, and when I need a break I can go and walk the dog!
I also have good support from other trainers and coaches, and we frequently work together to deliver solutions to clients which one or other of us could not do alone.
Over the next 5 years we are aiming to maintain the growth in the business and expand into new areas where possible.
