Bringing Communities Together

‘I started the business in order to work with former members of the Armed Forces and their families. With coffee comes conversation, so the mobile unit is a friendly, safe zone; somewhere veterans can talk openly and I could help signpost them to get the help they need.’

Ex-Army Veteran Nigel Seaman set up mobile coffee van ‘Combat 2 Coffee’. By offering a safe space for conversations over a hot drink alongside opportunities for Veterans to develop other skills, Nigel encapsulates the very essence of local businesses.

X-Forces Enterprise CEO, Ren Kapur said:

‘A unique and remarkable theme we see among our ex-serving business owners is the intent to give back to their community. These individuals feel a strong connection to their fellow Veterans and a desire to support one another. Business is proving to be a viable vehicle to achieve this shared purpose.

This becomes even more powerful in a local setting whereby local businesses like Nigel’s can offer something irreplaceable by online businesses: friendly one-to-one interactions which can be a lifeline for those suffering from loneliness, or mental health issues in particular. Having been through some very dark times, it is inspiring to now see Nigel’s positivity and drive to use coffee to create conversations that lead to referrals and career opportunities.’

To read more about Nigel’s journey see: his case study. If you’re interested in setting up a business which brings communities together, or have been trading under 24 months,  contact X-Forces Enterprise for business advice, access to low-interest government backed funding, workshops and networking events and ongoing mentoring. Our support is fully funded by our partners and so we do not charge you for our help.