We continue our blog series on the businesses we've helped to develop and grow with a look at 2buy2.com – a procurement firm based in Pencoed, Bridgend – and its new spin-off, Church Buying.
Established seven years ago, 2buy2.com employs around 40 people and launched Church Buying to help churches and others reduce time and money spent on day-to-day purchases and their long-term planning needs.
Here, Rob Kissick, CEO, tells the story of 2buy2.com and Church Buying and offers some helpful tips to others embarking on the business journey.
Tell us about 2buy2.com.
We've supported more than 8,000 churches so they can be good stewards of their resources. It's meant millions of pounds can be invested in the mission and ministry of the Church, rather than being wasted on expensive energy contracts, over-priced photocopiers and office supplies.
Church leaders and managers continually ask for a purchasing service which allows them to put mission and ministry at the forefront of their planning needs. This is why we felt it was the right time to launch a dedicated purchasing service for all Church and other faith and belief organisations.
Church Buying provides a personal approach to purchasing, with a dedicated customer care team, as well as an easy-to-use online service centre and several free services and resources.
It means that churches can direct more of their income to their mission and on serving the community.
The services provided through Church Buying are open to all faith and belief groups.
What are your proudest moments in business so far?
When we were recognised as the 34th fastest growing business in Wales by the Fast Growth 50, it was a huge boost and a validation of all the hard work everyone at the company has been putting in.
If you were starting again, what would you do differently?
In all honesty – not much! We now feel that we're an established company and our offshoot service, Church Buying is the next phase in our development.
We've been supported through Business Wales AGP to develop parts of the business which needed work and which we needed to re-examine as we've expanded. But doing things differently would probably mean we'd be a different company to the one we are now.
How has support from Business Wales AGP helped your business?
Being part of the Business Wales AGP is helping us to achieve our next phase of growth.
We've had coaching support through Business Wales AGP in lots of areas.
On organisational development, we've been supported with expertise and advice as well as on business growth strategies – vital as we look to expand our company.
We've also had help on our HR strategy, specifically on how we approach reward and recognition for staff.
The help we've had from Business Wales AGP has been invaluable and is the kind of advice many businesses out there need but might not know is there for them.
What advice and guidance would you give other businesses starting out?
● Ensure you develop clear values and stick to them.
● Take risks to achieve your goals.
● Employ people with expertise – surround yourself with brilliant people in their fields.
Learn more about 2buy2.com.
You can find further information on Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP)