The Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator gave me clarity, confidence, and a support network that helped me step up as a leader. I walked in with a mission and walked out with a sustainable model to deliver my vision.
When he left teaching, Nick Clement didn’t plan to become a business founder. But after witnessing first-hand the growing mental and physical health challenges facing children and families — and experiencing his own transformation through movement — he knew he wanted to do something to help.
That inspired Confident Healthy Active Me CIC (CHAM), a social enterprise on a mission to make movement joyful, accessible and transformative. CHAM reconnects people with themselves, their health, and each other through inclusive, community-driven well-being programmes.
With support from the Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator, part of the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), Wales’ flagship high-growth business support service, Nick turned a powerful personal vision into a business built for impact. We spoke with Nick about how participating in the accelerator helped shape his journey.
How did the Start-Up Accelerator help shape CHAM’s development?
Before the Start-Up Accelerator, I had the passion and purpose but not the structure. I was overwhelmed by everything that comes with running a new venture: financial planning, branding, and time management.
The accelerator gave me the space, mentorship and tools to turn CHAM into a business. I started thinking more strategically, created systems to reduce overwhelm, and learned how to build sustainability into the model, including developing our first revenue stream.
Being around other founders on the programme also helped me realise I wasn’t alone. That peer support, plus guidance from mentors who truly believed in us, gave me the confidence I needed to lead with clarity and purpose.
What inspired you to start Confident Healthy Active Me?
It all started with my own healing. After leaving the classroom, I went through a tough time mentally and physically. CBT helped, but it was movement, nature, and connecting with others that brought me back to life.
As a teacher, I’d seen the changes in children’s wellbeing: more anxiety, less movement, increasing disconnection. Add the cost-of-living crisis, and healthy living can be a luxury for many families.
CHAM was born from my desire to make well-being fun, inclusive, and accessible. I want people to see movement as a way to heal, connect, and thrive.
What were the biggest challenges you faced before the programme?
One of the hardest parts was turning something personal into a sustainable business. I didn’t come from a commercial background, so I felt lost when it came to structuring the organisation, managing finances, or making decisions about growth.
There was also a mindset challenge with feeling like I had to do it all, all the time. I was spreading myself thin and getting overwhelmed.
The accelerator helped me simplify, prioritise and work in a way that suits me. It gave me time to reflect, refine my mission, and find a rhythm that allows me to lead with more focus.
What practical tools or insights from the programme made the biggest difference?
Learning to plan sustainably was huge, particularly in understanding revenue streams and not relying solely on grant funding. We now have two income streams, which makes everything more stable.
Time management was another game-changer. And then there was the mindset shift: learning that it’s okay to step back, take stock, and not chase perfection. That’s been invaluable.
What makes CHAM unique?
We meet people where they are. There’s no pressure or judgment; it's just a fun, welcoming space where movement becomes a tool for confidence, connection, and well-being.
We don’t run intimidating fitness programmes. We create community experiences that help people rediscover joy in movement.
What’s next for CHAM?
We’re focused on expanding our reach across Wales. That means building relationships with more schools, families and community groups and refining our delivery model for greater impact. I want CHAM to be the go-to for inclusive, confidence-building movement programmes in schools, community centres, and beyond.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Don’t do it alone. Find support, join a programme like the Start-Up Accelerator, and build a network that challenges and uplifts you. And remember, you don’t have to be perfect. Just start. Move forward, one step at a time.
For more information on how the Accelerated Growth Programme can support your journey, click here.