Aziz had always wanted to be self-employed, but didn’t quite know where to start. What he did know was that he loved his dog and that, somewhere in that connection, there was a spark of an idea waiting to grow.
Aziz was a participant on the Restart Scheme with Ingeus, where he first learned about the support available through us here at RIFT Social Enterprise. He was referred through to us for specialist self employment support with nothing but a vague idea of wanting to start a mobile pet treat van, like an ice cream van for dogs, and a strong passion to be his own boss.
From the very first meeting Aziz showed real enthusiasm for creating something meaningful. He shared his early idea for Shop On Wheels, a mobile dog treats business inspired by his own pet. Like many new founders he had doubts about whether his idea was strong enough, and he sometimes struggled to believe he could actually make it happen. Our work together focused not only on building the foundations of his business but also on helping him build confidence in himself as an entrepreneur.
We worked through his business model step by step, exploring the practicalities of launching a mobile service and shaping his plans for the van he proudly stands in today. We helped him with essential steps like setting up his website and building a clear plan for launch. Alongside the technical pieces, we spent time on building his confidence, because Aziz already had something special. He simply needed support to see what everyone else could see in him.
A few weeks after launching officially, Aziz began receiving fantastic feedback from customers. Standing in his branded van, offering treats to excited dogs and chatting with their owners, he spoke about how proud he feels of what he has built. He now sees his business as his baby and describes Pet Shop On Wheels as everything he hoped it would be. He recommends the support he received because, in his words, it changed his life for the better.
Aziz’s journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes people simply need someone to believe in them while they learn to believe in themselves. Today, he is self employed, confident and building a business that brings joy to dogs and owners across his community. And he is doing it entirely for himself.