Business: Spotlight Training (Jamie Ryder, Founder)
Sector: Professional Services / Training Industry Support
Support Type: Go-to-Market Strategy, CRM Setup, Sales Pipeline Development
This case study shows how business support for early‑stage service businesses can help founders turn expertise into a scalable operation. Spotlight Training, founded by content specialist Jamie Ryder, quickly built strong foundations by accessing Business support through workspace membership at Salford Innovation Forum.
With the right structure and hands‑on guidance, Jamie transformed a concept into a credible, pipeline‑driven business.
The Challenge — Support Needs for Early‑Stage Service Businesses
Jamie Ryder had a vision: to create a specialised service helping training providers across the UK grow their businesses through better social media presence, podcast production, and content marketing. With a background in copywriting and content creation, Jamie had the skills but needed structure to transform freelance work into a scalable business.
The immediate challenges were fundamental: no functioning website, no CRM system, and an unclear path to acquiring the first paying customers in a competitive market.
The Support — Business Support Infrastructure That Drives Growth
Working with Artur Grzybowski, Innovation Director at Salford Innovation Forum, Jamie received hands-on support to build the foundations of a professional service business.
Website & Brand Development
Support navigating Squarespace domain transfers and template selection, ensuring the website reflected a professional, established business rather than an early‑stage startup.
CRM Implementation
Jamie set up Attio CRM and began systematically logging over 70 potential leads, tracking conversations, and building a structured sales pipeline.
Sales Strategy
A dual-track outreach approach was developed:
- Direct sales pitches to qualified prospects
- Relationship‑building through a podcast interview series featuring training company founders
Proposal Templates
Using AI tools and Notion, Jamie developed professional proposal templates that could be customised for each client while maintaining consistency and professionalism.
In Jamie’s Words
“I’m pretty clear about next steps. The website stuff, then just start reaching out to people in the CRM and logging it as we go. December’s a weird time for businesses, but I’m optimistic about the new year.”
“I’ve got three people interested in interviews so far. That’s just literally reaching out saying I want to share your story, and then that’s me building rapport with them to begin with.”
The Outcome — Stronger Pipelines Through Business Support
Within weeks of structured support, Jamie had built a pipeline of 70+ identified prospects, secured multiple podcast interview bookings, developed professional proposal templates, and established a clear weekly rhythm for business development activities.
The approach of combining content creation (podcast interviews) with sales development means every conversation builds both credibility and pipeline simultaneously.
Key Takeaway: Structure Turns Skill Into Scale
Spotlight Training’s rapid development shows how effective business support for early‑stage service businesses can be when paired with the right environment. Through the Innovation Director’s guidance and the systems put in place, Jamie built a strong foundation for a scalable, credible service business.
Want This Kind of Support?
You can access the same support Spotlight Training received by joining the Salford Innovation Forum community.
Or speak with our team:
➡️ Contact us on 0161 743 3500 or email info@salfordinnovationforum.co.uk
