In February 2023, Junction Point CIC delivered the first of our Business with Purpose series as part of the NEEAL Consortium including The Millin Charity, PNE and NE BIC (funded by North East Combined Authority, Gateshead Council and UKSPF).

We’ve supported 125 people through the programme to explore their purpose-led business ideas and take meaningful steps toward making them a reality. As we approach the final stages of this year’s funded programme, our focus is now on helping those ready to register their businesses and take the next leap forward.

We’ve learned a lot along the way, and we wanted to share some of the key takeaways from this journey:

1. The Power of an Onboarding Coach

(Shoutout to Sandra, Elaine, and Emma!)

From day one, participants told us that having an onboarding coach made a huge difference. Many entered the programme unsure if they were on the right path, but these early conversations helped them:

✅ Gain clarity on what they truly wanted from the experience
✅ Feel confident that they were in the right place
✅ Understand the wider landscape of support available from other organisations

The team’s expertise in personal coaching, growth mindset, and business support was instrumental in giving participants a strong foundation to move forward.

“The 121 was highly inspirational and the boost I needed to get me started and focused. Sandra is vibrant, wise & has a great way of motivating you to think things through in a different way.”

2. Trainers Who Walk the Talk

(Led by Ruth, Kate, and Helen—who all run purpose-led businesses themselves!)

We firmly believe that the best learning comes from real-world experience, not just textbooks. All our trainers actively run social ventures—Ruth even runs three!

This meant our participants weren’t just receiving theory but instead practical insights, lived experiences, and honest advice about what works (and what doesn’t) when starting and growing a purpose-led business.

With over 60 years of combined experience in this space, our trainers could tackle even the most unusual ideas, questions, and challenges from a place of first-hand knowledge.

“Ruth is very knowledgeable. She is able to include real life stories to support learning. Ruth answered the groups questions and was very helpful to everyone. The course gave the information needed and Ruth outlined next steps.”

3. High-Quality Learning Materials

We developed our curriculum in collaboration with consortium partners while ensuring we had the creative freedom to make the materials as relevant and engaging as possible.

Participants worked with industry-standard tools like:

✅ Theory of Change – to map out their business impact
✅ Social Business Model Canvas – to build sustainable models
✅ Ikigai & Asset-Based Development – to connect personal purpose with business strategy

Our goal was to provide not just startup fundamentals but also practical skills that would help businesses thrive long-term.

“The business terminology can be really off-putting but being introduced to these scary terms and tools in a practical and friendly way by Helen made me realise I can absolutely do this”

4. Flexible Learning for Different Needs

We know that people learn in different ways and have competing priorities, so we designed a range of options to ensure accessibility:

📅 Online short sessions (2-hour blocks)
📅 Online intensives (half-day deep dives)
📅 In-person courses (spread over 4 weeks)
📅 Accelerators (intensive bootcamp-style)
📅 Sessions at different times – mornings, afternoons, evenings, and even weekends! (Shoutout to Kate’s kids for letting her go on a Saturday!)

Beyond live sessions, we also created a mix of learning formats:

📖 Physical workbooks
🎥 Pre-recorded deep dives
📲 Facebook & WhatsApp live sessions
📚 Reading lists
📑 Downloadable templates with video walkthroughs
👥 Group discussions & 1:1 support

This ensured that introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between could engage in a way that suited them best.

“Firstly, communication was excellent from the start, and when I arrived at One Strawberry Place and saw the wheelchair access, the range of bathroom options and the fidgets being handed out , I immediately had that ‘warm’ sense of knowing that the organisers had been mindful of accommodations. This ran throughout the day, with a range of dietary options and breaks for those that might need them”.

What’s Next?

We don’t often stop to toot our own horn, but on this occasion… Toot toot!

That said, we’re always looking to improve. Here’s what we’re working on for the next phase:

✅ More regular networking opportunities – so participants can continue supporting each other
✅ Co-working activities – to help build momentum and accountability
✅ Introducing action learning – a structured way to learn from each other’s challenges
✅ A single online hub for all resources – making it easier to access materials in one place
✅ Better social media storytelling – capturing video feedback in real-time to showcase real participant journeys (This will help Deepak and Clarissa to curate a continuously interesting social media feed inspiring and encouraging others to take the step into purpose-led business).

If you participated in the programme and want to share your experience, please get in touch here or simply comment below.