Ambitious Entrepreneurs Driving Growth With Expert Business Support

From capturing love stories on camera to transforming lives offshore, two inspiring start-ups are proving that with the right support, anything is possible in Tees Valley.

Thanks to funding and guidance from Tees Valley Combined Authority’s business support programmes, Let’s Get Live and Harlum Services are turning vision into action.

When Redcar-based Laura Harrison launched Let’s Get Live in 2023, the idea of a Wedding Content Creator was still relatively new in the UK. But Laura had spotted something others hadn’t.

“I saw a gap in the market for newlyweds who wanted instant access to their wedding day memories,” she said. “Professional photos and videos can take six to eight weeks or more. I wanted to give couples a way to relive the real and raw moments of their day right away.”

In just two years, she’s captured more than 50 weddings across the UK and abroad, allowing couples to stay fully present on their big day while knowing their memories are already being edited.

Through support from the TVCA, Laura received tailored business advice, hands-on support, and a £981.26 grant. That investment helped her buy new filming equipment, improve product quality, and hire an additional staff member.

“The grant and support I received helped me streamline my offering, implement a business plan, and introduce new services.

“It directly led to increased revenue and bookings.”

She also used the funding to launch a targeted digital ad campaign that reached over 17,000 people, resulting in £1,085 in direct bookings.

“As a sole trader, being able to pick up the phone and have access to this kind of support was invaluable.

“It helped me implement my goals, grow into new markets, and set realistic revenue targets.”

Laura was helped by the Tees Valley Entrepreneurs Programme, which was delivered by Triage Centrum – a Teesside agency which provides information, advice and guidance skills and workplace training.

Laura is now expanding into corporate events and B2B content creation, with a projected £4,000 in commercial bookings expected by March 2025. With demand rising, bookings now extend into 2026.

While Laura was building her business behind the camera, Harry Taylor and Calum Brown were looking to solve a very different challenge away from terra firma.

After working in the offshore wind sector, the pair noticed something most had overlooked: a lack of proper welfare facilities for offshore workers, especially women. Drawing on their backgrounds as former steelworkers and offshore operatives, they launched Harlum Services, in Middlesbrough, in 2024.

Their solution – the Wind Turbine Welfare Unit – is a low-maintenance, gender-inclusive toilet system designed specifically for installation inside wind turbines. As the industry works toward increasing female representation, the need for such innovation is urgent.

With support from the Tees Valley Supply Chain Programme, Harry and Calum rebranded their business, established a new base in Middlesbrough, and received one-to-one guidance from an RTC Business Adviser.

The support also enabled them to attend Offshore Wind NE 2024, where they officially launched the product and connected with key operators including RWE, Ørsted, and Equinor.

“Harry and Calum are solving a problem that’s long been overlooked,” said Lesley Hawke, Business Adviser at RTC North.

“If the offshore industry wants to attract a more diverse workforce, it needs to change how it approaches welfare – and this is a clear, simple solution that helps make that happen.”

With strong foundations in place, the team is now focused on growing their consultancy and site service offerings, expanding their online presence, and continuing to develop solutions that support safety and inclusion offshore.

Though they work in different fields, Laura, Harry, and Calum share the same drive – to build businesses that serve people, solve real-world problems, and grow with purpose.

Their stories highlight the power of combining entrepreneurial spirit with targeted support. Through UKSPF programmes, delivered by Tees Valley Combined Authority and partners like RTC North, local innovators are getting the tools and advice they need to succeed – whether they’re creating lifelong memories or building a better future for offshore workers.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “These are exactly the kinds of forward-thinking businesses we’re proud to back across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“Whether it’s helping entrepreneurs get started or supporting game-changing innovation, our experienced team is on hand to offer the right advice and guidance every step of the way.

“And thanks to the funding we’ve secured, there’ll be plenty more opportunities to keep these vital programmes running and new projects off the ground in the years to come.”

Support via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is fully funded by the UK Government.

To find out more about support available for businesses, go to: Business Support – Business