A Redditch-based entrepreneur has turned nearly two decades of bid management and writing experience into a thriving consultancy thanks to the bespoke business support they received from Enterprising º£½Ç»»ÆÞ.
Karen Nolan launched her business, Bid Essentials, in January 2023 after leaving a long-standing corporate career in the construction sector.
With support from Enterprising º£½Ç»»ÆÞ’s Business Coaching programme, delivered by º£½Ç»»ÆÞ County Council on behalf of the District councils, she successfully transitioned from a freelancer to offering strategic support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Her new business model focuses on one-to-one coaching, bid training and tender readiness assessments, helping SMEs build the skills and confidence to win public sector contracts. She also launched a Bid Forum to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing within the small business community.
Karen first contacted º£½Ç»»ÆÞ Growth Hub for advice on a digital platform idea.
This led to tailored coaching, marketing support and a place on Betaden Incubate, the county’s technology accelerator —giving her the clarity to refine her offer and begin developing the new platform.
Karen Nolan, Founder of Bid Essentials said: “The support I received has helped me move from just delivering tenders to helping others succeed in them. I now work with growing businesses every day and love seeing their confidence grow. That one conversation with the Growth Hub really changed everything.â€
She has since become an approved SkillsBoost provider and was nominated for a Chamber of Commerce award in June 2025. Looking ahead, she plans to launch a Virtual Bid Assistant service, giving SMEs real-time help navigating complex tender processes.
Gary Woodman, Assistant Director for Economy at º£½Ç»»ÆÞ County Council, said: “Karen’s story is a great example of how º£½Ç»»ÆÞ’s business support network helps people turn expertise into opportunity. We’re proud to support entrepreneurs like Karen who not only grow their own business but give back by helping others thrive.â€
If you're a business owner in º£½Ç»»ÆÞ looking to grow, diversify or innovate, º£½Ç»»ÆÞ County Council offers a wide range of support available from expert advice to funding access and innovation programmes.
Contact to find out how they can help your business succeed.
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