Alumni Spotlight: David Clipston, Block Party

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

I’ve been involved in youth work and discipleship for 20 years with churches and para-church organisations. As work can often take me out of the community, I was looking not just for an opportunity to work with people locally, but also to see relationships and community grow here. I started Block Party as a vehicle to experiment with ways to provide people with an opportunity to have fun together and to begin to strengthen friendships. Our first attempt at this has been a giant inflatable screen which individuals, families and community groups can use to watch movies with others in their garden or other community space. 

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

I was put in touch with Creo after a conversation exploring Christian entrepreneurship with someone in America of all places. Thankfully he knew of some people in the same country as me who could help me hone my vision and sift through my far too many ideas!

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

My trouble was I had too many ideas of what I could do, but little framework with which to evaluate. Creo has been invaluable in helping bring clarity to why I want to do something and in self-evaluation so that all ideas can be measured against what fits both me and my vision. The practical advice for setting up, running and growing a venture has also been extremely helpful.

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

I was delighted that very quickly after launching I found myself chatting and getting to know clients that I would otherwise never have met and to hear their feedback as to how they had enjoyed their time together. I’m excited that the journey ahead is to take that experience beyond private parties and across communities.

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

We can become very private, isolated and individualistic in life, yet God created us to live in relationship with each other. My goal as an entrepreneur is to look for ways to create spaces where these relationships can begin, and ask how this initial enjoyment of activity with each other can be moved beyond feeling towards true relationship and a realisation of this created purpose.

David founded Block Party to explore ways to grow community and relationships. He works part time for SU Scotland training young leaders and is on the leadership team at Riverside Church in Ayr. David has over 20 years experience working with churches and with children and young people, and is passionate about finding ways for followers of Jesus to make a difference in their communities. David is a graduate of The University of Aberdeen (MA Politics & International Relations), and has a certificate in Christian Ministry and an Associate Degree in Foundations of Christian Thought from Eternity Bible College.

Visit the Block Party Website

Alumni Spotlight: Amy Lamont, 20schemesRetrain

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

I don’t have a huge amount of experience in this field, but I have a passion for people and a hunger to learn. I was employed to set up and run a new community interest company called 20schemesRetrain. Our mission is to provide opportunities for believers within the schemes of Scotland to be discipled, trained, and enabled to use their gifts for God’s glory through employment. We want to see people in meaningful long-term work that will enable positive change in individuals lives and throughout the community. One of our first pilot businesses is a café in east Lothian called ‘The Wee Café’ where we will employ 4 people from the local schemes.

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

I initially got in touch with Rich Robinson through the website as I was looking to partner with other local Christian organisations who are already providing training and support for new Christian businesses. I then found out about the accelerator 9-week programme which I have recently just completed myself.  It was great timing as I was just starting on my journey, and it taught me so much at such a crucial stage.

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

The 9-week course at CREO was super helpful. The beginning of a new venture is always very busy, juggling lots of different things to get it up and running. The CREO course enabled me to take a step back and look at things I may not have given myself enough time to think through. Such as my own strengths and weaknesses and where I could use support, looking at our values and how we embed them throughout the venture, thinking about short term and long-term goals and our overall vision, along with many other things.

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

I love that I have been given the opportunity to be involved in something from the very beginning and hopefully see it grow and blossom as time goes on, I have learned a substantial amount in the short time I have been with 20schemesRetrain, and I can’t wait to learn more. I am excited to see things get off the ground and to start having an impact on individuals lives and communities throughout Scotland.

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

I’ve realised through my journey so far that I often doubt myself and my ability as an entrepreneur. The CREO course has given me more confidence and I have realised the importance of owning my strengths and also humbly asking for help through my weaknesses. I also think that community is a huge part of being a Christian entrepreneur and CREO is a great way to get involved with a community of Christians who are there to encourage each other and work towards the common goal of furthering God’s kingdom.

Amy works for a community interest company and social enterprise, 20schemesRetrain CIC to support believers within the schemes of Scotland get into employment or start up their own business. Amy worked for The Prince’s Trust for 5 years as a youth worker and previous to that she has spent a lot of time travelling the world and working with children and young people in a variety of settings. Amy is an active member of Niddrie Community Church which is also the parent company of 20schemesRetrain.

Visit the 20schemes Website

Alumni Spotlight: Nick Johnson, ARK

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

ARK creates community spaces impacting a local area for good. We build creative spaces where both businesses and people can flourish. Whether its coworking spaces, coffee shops, artist studios, makers spaces or more, we look to create spaces where community, creativity & collaboration are at its core, impacting local areas for good.
Back in 2016 we started ARK coworking in Kings Cross, partnering with Kings Cross Church. We provide a genuinely affordable community space for freelancers, start-ups and social enterprises, whilst also impacting our local area for good.  Since then we have worked with other churches to explore new creative expressions of ARK communities.

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

I connected with CREO initially through a mutual gathering of pioneers from various churches in London. I felt that I met a group of kindred spirits, with a shared passion for cultural renewal and curiosity about the way we can equip, empower and encourage pioneers in the church. A few years into the ARK story, and after a year of COVID, it felt like the right time to revisit the genesis moment in my own journey, to be more proactive in my own learning & to explore how we might be able to grow.

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

I’ve been inspired by CREOs accessible content & support for those who are walking a pioneering journey. At a personal level, I have found the time so far with CREO incredibly helpful & healing after a challenging year of COVID, providing space to reset my vision & values, recognising that my own personal journey is an important factor in the way that we lead ARK. I feel like CREO can play an important role in creating a culture of pioneering within churches, and excited about a new wave of entrepreneurialism & redemptive action that we are seeing. 

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

I look forward to sharing our learning & experiences with other churches, helping them to think entrepreneurially about the resources they have in their hands, and how they might also be able to set-up ARK communities to engage with people’s working lives. Its an incredible privilege to walk beside individuals as they go about their work & run their businesses, and I’m excited about the impact that we could have in supporting people in their journey.

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

CREO has helped me to think more about self-care & integrated faith as a leader. Its been inspiring to hear about the amazing success stories from some culture-shaping ventures and the pioneers behind them; learning from them I’d love to think more about the practices I can put into place in my own life to develop my character as a leader. 

Nick is married to Lizzie and a father of three, living near Kings Cross, London. After studying a MSci in Physics, Nick began his career in the London and New York offices of Ernst & Young where he trained as a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Nick then went on to set up his own accounting practice supporting social businesses, which eventually led him to set up ARK coworking with a friend, Gavin Turnbull, in partnership with Kings Cross Church. Nick is passionate about developing a culture of pioneering within church, and equally excited about the role that ARK can play in helping churches engage with people’s working lives.

Visit the ARK Website

Alumni Spotlight: Henry Gwani, Africa Capacity

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

I run a nonprofit called Africa Capacity. To address the high rate of recidivism in South Africa, we integrate vocational training with life skills training, restorative justice, basic mental health and discipleship among formerly incarcerated persons in the Eastern Province of South Africa.

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

I got involved with Creo through an online ad I saw and after connecting with co-founder Duncan I knew it was the right thing to do.

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

The training sessions were fantastic but an extremely important highlight was the coaching sessions. They gently guided me towards clarifying my thoughts and presenting my organization well before potential partners.

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

The possibility of helping poor, formerly incarcerated persons who struggle to get a job due to their criminal record, to gain skills, earn a living, and develop a thriving relationship with Jesus.

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

As we engage the unsaved poor, how do we effectively facilitate genuine repentance/relationship with Jesus while empowering them with the skills needed to thrive?

Henry Gwani is a student of missions and management whose work assignments have taken him to more than 30 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. After serving for almost 15 years as a missionary with Mercy Ships, Henry and his wife, Mampho, founded the Africa Capacity Building Council (ACBC) in July 2015. ACBC’s goal is to train Africans in missions and managing small businesses. The non-profit organization operates out of the Eastern province of South Africa. Henry is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership from George Fox University. Henry’s goal is to identify, train, and mobilize 300 vocational missionaries in South Africa by 2030.

Visit the Africa Capacity Website

Alumni Spotlight: Rebecca West, Rebecca West Counselling

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

My name is Rebecca West and I am a private therapist based in Cowley, Oxford.

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

A friend referred me, as she knew one of the Creo mentors and I knew of the business they were creating so I thought it would be good to find out more.

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

I really enjoyed the monthly mentoring the most because it helped keep me encouraged and gave me a perspective that I would not have had, had it not been for the Creo mentors.

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

I am excited about developing my business in a creative, relevant and kingdom focused way.

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

I am asking what is mental health’s role for people recovery post lockdown and what is my creativity going to offer that is different to what is out there now.

Rebecca West’s service provides a safe space for young people, parents and caring professionals to be supported so that they can begin to thrive. For the last 10 years, she has worked with vulnerable young adults, children and their families through a variety of capacities. Rebecca has worked as a school counsellor, DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) a carer for young adults with special needs, a TA for autistic children and a mentor for teenagers, young adults and their parents through the local church.  

Visit Rebecca West Counselling Website

Alumni Spotlight: Helen Russell, Rise Glasgow

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

I’m Helen, the CEO/Founder of Rise. I have a background in Education but made a career change after working with refugees in Sicily and Lebanon. I currently work in the Third Sector advocating for and supporting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Glasgow. We established Rise after seeing women face barriers to gaining employment, such as low self-esteem and self-worth, lack of UK qualifications and experience, as well as lack of confidence in English, especially around regional accents. We offer a six month training programme in food and hospitality, where the women we work with have the opportunity to gain new skills, qualifications and experience through our food trailer, catering and events.

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

CREO was recommended to me by one of our Directors. I have no idea how he found it, as it was so new at the time. He sent a link, and I contacted about getting involved.

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

I really enjoyed CREO, it was great to immerse yourself in Biblical principles and approaches for tackling social issues. I found the topics and videos really helpful, but it was working with my coach that I found most impactful. Our project has evolved since it was established, and it was really helpful to tap into the wealth of experience and expertise that Duncan has to see our project flourish. 

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

I am excited to see women empowered and moving on to bigger things with a sense of purpose and increased self-esteem and confidence in themselves, and what they have to offer to the people of Scotland. We want to see refugees in our city valued and their experience, qualifications and potential recognised and utilised. 

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

How to scale our project. We believe that Rise has the potential to impact the lives of many more refugees, not just in Glasgow but potentially across Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Helen is originally from Northern Ireland, but has lived in Scotland for over 13 years. She has a background in education, gaining her teaching qualification and a Masters in Education at Magdalene College, Cambridge. Helen taught in the independent sector, before going on to work with refugees and asylum seekers in Sicily and Lebanon, which led her to leave education and work with refugees and asylum seekers in the Third Sector. Helen has relished the challenges that starting Rise has presented, especially the need to innovate through Covid restrictions, and cannot wait to see what next 12 months will bring. 

Visit Rise Website

Alumni Spotlight: Jim Grimmer, P3 Business Care

Duncan McFadzean
  1. Tell us what about yourself and your venture?

I have 40 years of experience in work, as a Police Officer and in the business sector within the oil industry. I created P3 Business Care CIC to provide personal and proactive support to employees working in partnership with the employer. We need to move from a reactive approach in providing care to the most important asset of any business – it’s people.

  1. How did you get involved with Creo?

I got connected to Rich Robinson at Creo as I was looking for P3 Business Partners to support a company in Sheffield and knew Rich had been located there for a number of years. I then found out about Creo and the timing was perfect! I had wanted to look at P3 Business Care with ‘fresh eyes’ and joined the Creo Lab programme to enable me to do so.

  1. How did you find your experience of Creo? How did it help your venture?

I’m thoroughly enjoying the Creo programme, particularly working with Duncan McFadzean. The programme is comprehensive and has introduced me to new ideas and insights into creating a successful enterprise. It has challenged me and helped me to identify the key things I needed to work on to bring focus and to help grow and develop P3 Business Care.

  1. What are you most excited for in your venture?

I love that P3 Business Care is both practical in the care we provide but that my Christian faith is foundational to why we do what we do.  We already support companies across the UK but I’m excited with the prospect of significant growth in our team and the number of clients, and the impact we can have on the lives of individuals.

  1. What are some of the things you’re thinking about/questions you are asking as an entrepreneur?

We are all created with a God-given purpose. Creo helps people identify, work through and bring that purpose to fruition. I hope that my journey as a Christian entrepreneur can be an encouragement to others to literally take that step of faith. From my personal experience, I have learned to, ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’ (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Jim founded the community interest company and social enterprise P3 Business Care CIC to bring personal & proactive care to employees working in partnership with corporate business clients. Jim was a co-founder of The Business Connection in 2014 that ran the Thrive Scotland conferences in 2019 and 2020. He is a graduate of Robert Gordon University (MCIPD), Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney (Cert IV Ministry) and a member of the Institute of Directors (MIoD). He is a former Street Pastor, an active member of Kings Church Aberdeen, a Director of King’s Community Foundation and in 2020 was awarded ministerial status with AOG (Assemblies of God). He is the National AOG Champion for business ministry.

Visit P3 Business Care Website