Ann Shimmin Learning

After facing redundancy Ann Shimmin saw the opportunity to open her own teaching business, Ann Shimmin Learning, with help from the Business Start-Up Scheme.

Tell us a little bit about your business journey, when did you set up and what does your business offer?

I am a qualified Teacher, Assessor, Internal Verifier, and External Quality Assurer. Until 2023, I worked for a local independent training provider, but was made redundant when the business ceased trading. Shortly afterwards, I founded Ann Shimmin Learning, which welcomed its first cohort of learners in October 2023.

Ann Shimmin Learning offers a range of work-based qualifications, including Diplomas in Early Years Care and Education, Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (Teaching Assistants), Residential Childcare, Functional Skills in Maths and English, and Workplace Mentorship.

How has the Enterprise Support Scheme helped your business?

The opportunity to learn new business-related skills which the scheme provided was really useful, gave me the confidence to know that the fledgling business was heading in the right direction and provided for great networking with people who were at a similar stage in their business’ journey.  The financial support also played a crucial role in helping the business grow and provided much-needed stability during those early days.

The Mentorship provide by Sandra has been invaluable.  Her willingness to share her skills, expertise and experience has been incredibly useful and has helped me to gain the confidence necessary to develop and grow the business and give me the reassurance that things were heading in the right direction.    

How did you find the experience of receiving support? (from enquiry to final receipt of funding/training/advice)

I found the experience to be very user-friendly. Although there was some documentation to complete along the way, I fully understood the reasons behind it, and the process felt well-structured and transparent. Communication was clear throughout, and any questions I had were answered promptly and professionally. From my initial enquiry through to the final receipt of funding and support, I felt well guided and supported at each stage.  My mentor was readily available whenever I needed advice or guidance, which made a big difference and gave me real confidence as I moved through each stage

Tell us about your business – what do you enjoy most about the work you do?

At Ann Shimmin Learning, our mantra is simple: We nurture our learners to succeed. We now employ a small team of local residents on a part-time or sessional basis and every member of the team is totally committed to supporting our learners to achieve their qualifications in a fully supported and timely manner.  The fact that we can make a real and tangible difference to the lives of our learners and then the individuals that they support gives each of us an immense sense of personal satisfaction and pride.    

Why did you choose the Isle of Man as the destination for your business?I have been a resident on the Isle of Man for 37 years and I wanted to create something which made a real difference to the lives of people living here.

Outside of work, what do you like to do? How do you spend your free time?

I like to spend time with my family, travelling and walking Hugo my two-year-old Labrador.

How did you hear about the support schemes offered by the Department for Enterprise?

I was aware of the schemes through word of mouth and the Department’s online advertising.

Would you recommend the support scheme to other businesses and what would be your top tips for going through the application process?

I would thoroughly recommend the scheme to other businesses and assure them that the application process of straight-forward and worth it!