VOTE FOR US!

Could we be the Peoples Champion? 

We’re delighted to announce that Yurts for Life has been shortlisted for the Export Business of the Year in the Startups Awards 2018!

Voting for the 2018 People’s Champion is now open. Who wins? YOU decide!

Why we made the cut:

“In essence, Yurts for Life is about getting close to nature and promoting sustainableaffordablelow impact lifestyles: #yurtology

It’s clear from the start-up’s early growth that consumers are responding to this philosophy, and with a ever-expanding international presence, this message is being spread around the world.”

We’re getting more and more reach internationally, and by being shortlisted for the Export Business of the Year the recognition of that effort is ace!

Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 11 November and the People’s Champion 2018 – the business with the most votes – will be revealed at the Startups Awards ceremony on November 21.

Wish us luck, and GET VOTING! and please share!!!

When Sacha met Teresa – Yurts for Life at Number 10

As an Ambassador for the The Rural Business Awards, our illustrious leader Sacha Macey was recently invited by the Rural Business Group to attend a Roundtable at Number 10 Downing Street.

The Roundtable was hosted by Niamh Mulholland (Business Engagement Manager at the Prime Minister’s Office), and focussed on the challenges that rural businesses are currently facing, whilst also exploring thoughts and ideas about how we can address these challenges in order to have a real, sustainable impact on our rural communities – enabling us to not only survive but to thrive.

Anna Price Co-Founder of the Awards and Rural Business Group said:

“Our view is that successful rural communities are underpinned by successful rural enterprise in all its forms. We are delighted to be able to share some of our success with other hard working rural businesses and give them the opportunity to be heard at the heart of Westminster.”

We look forward to continued involvement with the group to help raise the profile of the rural economy and how it contributes to the UK’s prosperity.

As the discussion around the table proved, there is much to be done to remove roadblocks to success for people operating businesses of all sizes to level the playing field.

Yurts for Life chosen for Goldman Sachs Small Businesses programme

Sacha Macey
Sacha Macey

Yurts for Life chosen for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme

The Yurts for Life team is thrilled that our own Sacha Macey (pictured left) has been chosen for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, after a rigorous selection process. The programme runs from September to December 2018, and provides high-quality, practical education and business support to leaders of high-growth small businesses across the UK. Such businesses play a vital role in creating jobs and driving economic growth in the UK through innovation and market expansion.

After extensive research, Goldman Sachs launched the 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme in 2010 specifically to address the support gap for small enterprises, helping them unlock the economic and job creation potential of their businesses. The programme is designed by leading experts and is run in partnership with leading UK universities and business schools, including the Said Business School at Oxford University.

The programme brings together leaders of small businesses from across industry sectors and creates unique networking and peer learning opportunities. The core of the programme is a high quality, practically-focused business and management education, delivered through a blend of online and in-person residential sessions. The curriculum has been designed specifically for this programme by world-class international and national experts in entrepreneurial learning.

Participants of the programme benefit from:

• Specialist workshops
• One-on-one business advising
• Business coaching
• Access to professional experts
• Networking opportunities and
• A network of 10,000 Small Business graduates

The programme is funded by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation. Programme results show that 10,000 Small Businesses graduates consistently grow their revenues, and create jobs at rates that outperform the broader economy.

YFL receives funding from The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

Funding from the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group (LAG), who run a rural grant funding programme focused on the economy, has aided the expansion of South Hams business, Yurts for Life.

Yurts for Life (YFL), a yurt manufacturing business, has been awarded a grant by the rural business funding programme to construct 40ft yurts.

The business manufactures yurts for clients ranging from glampsite owners to schools, charities, community spaces and commercial event spaces.

YFL also rents out small yurts to festivals and weddings for accommodation mainly in the South West but also repairs and maintains yurts from across the UK.

The funding is for the manufacture of a new 40ft Yurt frame, doors and windows, in the workshop at Barkingdon, near Totnes, along with the purchase of tools for yurt manufacture, storage and marketing. YFL already have an existing portfolio of 20ft and 30ft Yurts for sale or hire, so this has increased their portfolio, improved business productivity and is creating three new jobs.

Owner of Yurts for Life, Sacha Macey, said: “This is fantastic news. We’ve been wanting to expand our business for a while now and the grant from the LAG has enabled us to do just this.

“There is not a lot of help for local, rural businesses in the area so the LAG is a real lifeline for South Hams businesses who are looking to start up or expand.

“It was clear from researching the market, that a larger yurt was needed and we have already successfully sold and installed a 40ft Yurt at Nicholsons Nursery, North Aston, in Oxfordshire. Here’s to a prosperous 2017!”

South Devon Coastal LAG chairman John Yeoman added: “If you run a small business or you are thinking of setting up or expanding a rural business, the South Devon Coastal Local Action Group provides you with an opportunity to help you fill your potential.

“You can apply for a grant to grow and develop your business and employ more people. Take a look at our website www.drcompany.co.uk/sdclag complete and submit a simple project ideas form so we can check you are eligible and then we can get going on your application.”

“The South Devon Coastal Local Action Group (LAG) successfully bid to the Rural Development Programme for England 2014-2020 to run a rural grant funding programme focused on the economy to create jobs and help the rural economy to grow.

The delivery of the programme is undertaken by the Diverse Regeneration Company CIC, and South Hams District Council act as the Accountable Body for the programme.