Background and Introduction

Joe Shevelan is an early-career blacksmith and recent graduate of Hertfordshire College, now living and working from a home-based workshop. Joe joined the Help into Mentoring programme delivered by Cumbria Business Growth Hub with a clear passion for traditional craftsmanship and a desire to build a meaningful and sustainable career in artisan blacksmithing.

At the start of the mentoring relationship, Joe's primary goal was to professionalise his practice, expand his network, and gain commercial traction without losing sight of the cultural and educational value of his work.

Goals and Aspirations

Joe’s aspirations were ambitious and multifaceted:
•    develop a community-oriented blacksmithing practice
•    establish public engagement opportunities through events and workshops
•    collaborate with heritage and arts organisations
•    grow his business into a formal social enterprise

Through regular mentoring sessions, Rachel supported Joe in articulating these goals into a strategic plan, balancing his creative practice with entrepreneurial development.

Professional Development & Milestones

School for Social Entrepreneurs (SofSE)

Early in the year, Joe was referred to the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SofSE) based in Millom/Barrow by his mentor Rachel. He continues to work with them on developing the infrastructure and governance of a potential Community Interest Company (CIC).

Collaborative Projects

•    Muncaster Castle: Joe began work on a “Medieval Muncaster” proposal in partnership with the castle’s team. This initiative explores interpretive blacksmithing for heritage storytelling and public engagement.
•    Arthur Ransome Trust / Windermere Jetty Museum: Joe designed and fabricated a series of steel sculptures based on

Swallows and Amazons, which are now under consideration for installation at the Windermere Jetty Museum.

Gretna Old Smithy Residency

A significant opportunity arose with The Old Smithy in Gretna, where Joe is in discussions to become their artist-in-residence and develop a blacksmithing workshop on-site. This has involved strategic planning, meeting preparation, and navigating early commercial agreements. A payment structure has now been offered to cover his foundational work until the site becomes operational.

Eskfest 2025

Joe took a bold entrepreneurial step by investing personal savings into a portable forging setup, debuting his new rig at Eskfest with “Have-a-Go Forging” sessions. Despite challenging heat conditions, the event was a success — every slot was filled over the two days. Lessons learned are being applied to future plans for a mobile forge unit, potentially supported by grant funding.

Retail and Commercial Strategy

Joe commenced trading with TegRetail in April 2025, following a strategic proposal and negotiations. While contractual finalisation has been slower than hoped, Joe is taking a proactive stance in ensuring commercial clarity going forward.

Mitie Business Boost Application

Joe also applied for the Mitie Business Boost, aiming to access funding and business development support to grow his operations further.

Challenges and Growth

Over the course of the year, Joe has navigated:
•    the uncertainty and negotiation of early-stage contracts
•    financial risk-taking (e.g., investment in mobile forge setup)
•    extreme weather conditions during public events
•    managing multiple projects and stakeholder relationships simultaneously

Despite these challenges, Joe has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a growing confidence in handling the business side of his practice. His understanding of social enterprise, project development, and public engagement has matured significantly.

Outcomes and Future Steps

Joe is now:
•    in active development of a CIC model
•    on track to become artist-in-residence at a heritage blacksmithing site
•    building a portfolio of public art and heritage engagement projects
•    preparing to seek funding for mobile infrastructure improvements
•    actively trading and expanding his retail footprint

The mentoring relationship has helped Joe to sharpen his focus, map strategic priorities, and act with increasing independence. The next 6–12 months will be pivotal as Joe formalises his enterprise, deepens key partnerships, and scales both creative and commercial outputs.

Conclusion

Joe Shevelan exemplifies the blend of creativity, heritage skills, and social impact that the Help into Mentoring programme was designed to support. His journey reflects the potential of early-career makers to become cultural entrepreneurs — with the right support, networks, and strategic vision.