Business Unboxed CIC

Who we are

Business Unboxed CIC is a community interest company delivering practical, straight-talking business, employability and self-employment support.

Founded by Jude Sach and Jasmin Appleyard, Business Unboxed brings together lived experience of self-employment, educational expertise and years of hands-on mentoring. We support individuals to explore enterprise, build confidence, develop employability skills and take practical steps towards work, self-employment or further opportunities.

We work with local authorities, housing associations, community organisations and individuals to deliver mentoring, workshops, start-up programmes, digital resources and employability-through-enterprise support. Our approach is inclusive, realistic and focused on outcomes. We cut through jargon and overwhelm, helping people understand where they are now, what is getting in their way and what practical next steps will move them forward.

We are especially passionate about supporting people who may not fit traditional routes into employment, including NEET young people, housing association residents, people facing barriers to work and those exploring self-employment as a route to confidence, independence and income.

Our culture and values

Business Unboxed is practical, people-focused and purpose-led. We believe support should feel human, accessible and useful — not overwhelming, corporate or full of jargon.

Our culture is built around:

Straight-talking support
We are honest, clear and practical. We focus on what will actually help people make progress.

Belief in potential
We believe people have skills, ideas and strengths, even when they may not yet recognise them in themselves.

Inclusive enterprise
We use enterprise as a tool to build confidence, employability, creativity, problem-solving and independence.

Real-world learning
Our programmes are hands-on and action-focused. Participants learn by doing, testing ideas, solving problems and building practical skills.

Community impact
As a CIC, we exist to create positive social impact. We want our work to strengthen individuals, families and communities.

Support without judgement
We meet people where they are. Whether someone is full of confidence or just starting to believe in themselves, our role is to help them take the next step.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Business Unboxed CIC is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and accessible environment for everyone we work with, including staff, volunteers, freelancers, partners and participants.

We actively welcome people from different backgrounds, experiences and communities. Our work often supports individuals who face barriers to employment, education, enterprise and opportunity, and we recognise that those barriers can be shaped by factors such as age, disability, neurodiversity, ethnicity, gender, caring responsibilities, health, financial circumstances, housing situation and previous educational or employment experiences.

We are committed to:

Treating people fairly, with dignity and respect.

Creating opportunities that are accessible, welcoming and inclusive.

Challenging discrimination, stereotyping and exclusion.

Making reasonable adjustments wherever possible.

Using language and approaches that build confidence rather than shame or judgement.

Listening to lived experience and using it to improve how we design and deliver support.

We want Business Unboxed to be a place where people feel safe to learn, ask questions, try new things and grow in confidence.