Paul Whittam and Emily Elshaw launched Fettle, their campervan conversion business, in May 2022. Now four months in, they’ve already completed a number of projects for some very happy customers.
Based outside Shap, Fettle take on anything from repair work to full conversions, fitting electrics, gas, poptops, beds, carpeting and insulation. They also fit solar panels and manufacturer and install their own kitchen cabinets.
Prior to launching their business, Paul and Emily contacted the Growth Hub. We paired them with one of our business advisers, Adrian Luckham who showed them the ropes.
“Adrian has been a huge support during our transition into becoming business owners. He has not only provided us with a lot of advice and information, but he has also been a great person to bounce ideas off and get excited about where the business is going, and what it could possibly do in the future.
Having someone there to aid us and answer questions that would otherwise play on our minds has made a massive difference in the progress we have made so far. I don’t think we would be this confident in everything we’re doing without the input we have had from Adrian. He is a wonderful person to work with and we are so thankful for his time.”
Fettle keeps customer service at the heart of what they do, with every conversion tailored exactly to the customer’s needs. They cater for everyone from those wanting a bespoke, high-end conversion to those on a budget in need of assistance and advice on how they can maintain their van themselves.
“Our business isn’t focusing on making a lot of money (some money is good but we don’t aim to be rich!). This allows us to focus on how we can cater to each customer and work to their budget, rather than concentrating on our profit. For all of our customers, we ask ‘what do they want out of the van’, and usually, most want the same things, comfort, functionality, good use of space, and so on. A variation in the budget does not mean we can’t achieve all of these things, it just means we have to go about it a little differently. On the other hand, some people with a greater budget are quite happy to give us their van and pay for our time to completion.
No job is too big or too small and we are happy to help in any way we can. We just want people to enjoy their vans and we understand that sometimes there is a budget, but we firmly believe that shouldn’t be restrictive!”
In the near future, Fettle plan to develop their marketing using YouTube to share videos and pictures of their projects. With demand for their services on the rise, they’re also looking to invest in their own CNC machine to cut out the wood for their cabinets. They even plan to start an annual festival for van lovers.
“It is more than just a business, it is a community and friendships formed that will last forever. We would like to think all of our customers would want to come and see us or come back to us for any future work. As we grow we’d like our new staff member to be a solid part of that community and it will really help us give the customers the service they deserve, it is a lot of work for just the two of us! As we have said many times we just want to help as many people as we can, we love vans and the lifestyle and freedom they offer people.”
Thinking of setting up your own business? We can help!
Get in touch today and speak to a member of our team on info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk or call us on 0844 257 84 50.
The funding that supports the Growth Hub comes from a range of sources including Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the European Regional Development Fund, Sellafield Ltd., Carlisle City Council, South Lakeland District Council, Penrith Industrial BID and Cumbria LEP. The Growth Hub is receiving up to £2,528,767 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The BSUS project is receiving up to £1,112,686 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information, click here.