Sippi Design Limited

Empowering Ethical Business Through Local Support

Overview of the Business Support Journey

Sippi Design Limited is a UK-based jewellery brand offering handcrafted, limited-edition pieces made by skilled artisans in Sri Lanka. Rooted in sustainability and inspired by the ocean and nature, the brand is committed to ethical production, environmental consciousness, and empowering artisan communities.

Founder Sepideh Mojabi began her business journey through Redcar and Cleveland Council, where she attended local networking events and a startup workshop led by Ainsley Mullan. This initial engagement introduced her to the Tees Valley ecosystem of support and became the first step in a wide-ranging business development journey.

Through tailored one-to-one support from Darren Turner, Sepideh was signposted to a range of programmes funded and delivered through Tees Valley Combined Authority, including support under the UKSPF Tees Valley Digital Transformation and UKSPF Tees Valley Expertise programmes.

Her support journey included:

• A Canva digital marketing workshop led by Ben Bradford via Like Us, which helped boost her confidence in visual content creation.
• A series of courses delivered by Enterprise Made Simple (EMS), including:
  • Business & Sustainability
  • Digital Bootcamp
  • Finance & Bookkeeping
• Participation in Orange Box’s mentoring programme, with ongoing guidance from mentor Ben Bradford on business structure and international planning.
• Engagement with UMI’s Business Summit, where she received one-to-one advice and joined online workshops to tackle finance and operations, supported by Gary Lynch.
• A key relationship with Triage was formed through UMI, where coach Amy Crone supported her with pricing strategies, cash flow forecasting, launch planning, and business modelling.

Sepideh was also awarded a £1,000 grant via Triage, which was invested in branded packaging to support her launch and product presentation. She emphasised that beyond the funding, the encouragement and advice made her feel seen and supported as a founder.

Networking also played a crucial role, as it connected her with individuals who were vital in guiding her through the process and delivering invaluable advice throughout the journey.

This resulted in the successful launch of her product line at The Link, in Stockton, a moment she described as a symbol of what can happen when regional support networks come together.

Throughout the journey, she has remained committed to learning and focusing on sustainable growth over quick wins, intentionally building a brand that is rooted in values.

“Without the people I’ve met through these programmes, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Challenges & Opportunities

Launching an ethical, international business as a first-time founder came with its share of challenges:

• Navigating startup logistics with limited experience
• Overcoming the isolation of solo entrepreneurship
• Managing finances while working other jobs
• Understanding international regulations and sustainability standards

However, Sepideh also saw a real opportunity to create a brand with purpose, one that supports artisan communities and raises awareness about ocean conservation. The support available through the Tees Valley helped turn that vision into a structured, strategic business.

Solutions Implemented

Through a combination of training, mentorship, funding, and strategic advice, Sippi Design was able to:

• Formalise and refine the business model
• Strengthen pricing strategies and financial forecasting
• Build a strong brand identity and digital presence
• Gain insight into international trade and artisan partnerships
• Invest in high-quality packaging to support the product launch

Business Outcomes

Thanks to targeted support and a proactive mindset, Sepideh has achieved key milestones:

• Officially launched Sippi Design Limited as a registered company in June 2025
• Established ethical production partnerships with three artisans in Sri Lanka
• Built a strong foundation for future growth through financial training, marketing workshops, and expert mentorship

A major success for Sippi jewellery is that it is currently the only UK brand selected for the EU–Sri Lanka Matchmaking Partnership Programme

• Launched by the European Union in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Cultural Relations Platform
• Supported by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, University of the Arts London, and the British Council
• Aims to promote ethical trade, cultural exchange, and creative collaboration between Europe and South Asia

“The support I’ve received has been amazing and has made a huge impact on preparing me for this journey… it helped me make some real, practical changes to my business.”
— Sepideh Mojabi, Director, Sippi Design Limited

Why Sign Up for Business Support?

“Because no one succeeds alone. The right support can give you the push you need when things get tough—and help you see things from a different angle.”

The UKSPF is fully-funded by the UK Government.

The programmes mentioned have now ended, but visit www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/funded-programmes to explore current opportunities and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about latest announcements.