Good Business Showcase: Good Grief Gift Co

Starting up a business is a tough journey for any entrepreneur. Purpose-led businesses that are creating businesses that align people and the planet alongside long-term sustainability have an extra lens they need to use when designing and making decisions, not making it any easier. So who are these impact-led business owners and what does it take to get a good business off the ground?

I’ve reached out to the purpose-led founders that I have worked with to shed some light on what the journey of starting a business looks like and tease out some lessons they have learned for other budding good business entrepreneurs.

Thank you for taking the time to share a little about the journey you’re on to set up your good business. To start off with, do you want to share who you are and the name of your business?

Yes, my name is Alex Delaney and I am setting up Good Grief Gift Co.

What does being a 'good business' mean to you?

A good business has an overall vision and mission that enhances people or the planet. I like good business as a concept because it locks in the social value to the companys way of operating.

Love that, and when did you set up the business?

It was in July 2019.

And what spark the drive to create a good business?

My personal experience of bereavement is what sparked the idea. I wanted to create a place for people to have better support around what to do when someone dies. So often friends and family want to help, but they just don't know how, and so, often they do nothing, which leaves grievers feeling more alone.

What grievers need is often quite practical, so this site will offer advice and support as well as ideas around how to tangibly help and care for someone going through such a difficult time.

It’s a story I hear a lot. People’s personal experience being the start of a new idea. And what’s the vision for the business?

That it helps to shift the way we talk about death in the UK and that it is part of an ecosystem of support for bereaved people and their friends and family.

Love that. And what’s your background and experience in the world of business before embarking on this journey?

My background is actually in charity communications. I've also been the interim CEO of a small charity, but have found it's very different when trying to set something up from scratch!

It really is a whole other ball game, isn’t it? Can you share what has surprised you about starting up a business?

I think just how there's no right or wrong, just decisions to make about how and what to do. My preconception was that the path would be more obvious, but I'm learning so much about the journey!

I also think I've had to confront my own character more than I thought I would and you really have to face up to yourself!

That’s so true. I think it’s much more of a personal journey than any other career path. What have you found to be tough?

I'm deadline-driven, and inherently someone who has always flown close to deadlines - so I have found it tough to be my own boss. But I am driven enough about the idea to take action - it's keeping the actions going and not getting overwhelmed that is my challenge.

Yes, too many good ideas don’t come to anything because the actions haven’t been taken. What would you say you’ve learned about yourself through this journey?

Just how much I need structure and a team to bounce with. I need accountability and it's a bit scary to realise just how much I rely on the feedback and input of others - I always thought I was quite introverted and self-contained!

A great insight to have so early on thought, right? What do you wish someone had told you before starting up that would have been useful to know?

That it's not just about the outer work, it's as much about the inner work - you do have to confront yourself so you can put the people or structures in place to support you in the ways that will lead to success.

Get ready for personal development as well as business development, right? And what have you learned that you’d like to pass on to other budding entrepreneurs?

Don't underestimate how long it will take you to get to the start line!

Yeah, it’s not going to happen overnight. So what’s made a real difference to you in your startup journey?

Honestly? The coaching from The Good Business Roadmap course and the confidence it's given me to get out there more and ask people to help me build my business.

So glad to hear that. And what are you currently working towards? What’s that next milestone?

I've been accepted onto an impact-led accelerator programme so I'm working towards that in a few weeks and I've got my 12-month plan taking shape which is so great.

And for anyone out there who’s been inspired by your mission and vision and might be able to support you, what would make a real difference to your business right now?

I'm obsessing about packaging at the moment as I believe the key to connecting with my customers will be to have a really strong brand that communicates just how much care and thought goes into products and services around this sensitive topic.

So if anyone has any experience or expertise around sustainable packaging, I’d love to pick your brain.

Awesome. And where can people go to get in touch with you?

You can contact me via my website: www.goodgriefgift.co.uk or via the Good Business Club Directory.

Got a question you’d like me to ask founders of good businesses? Get in touch.