Trading income up by over 300 per cent. A growing client base across three counties. New opportunities, a rising reputation, and a renewed sense of purpose.
That’s the turnaround story of Chris Armstrong, Founder of social enterprise Solid Base NPS in North Tyneside, who accessed the right support at the right time from the Business with Purpose Service.
Just a year ago, Chris was questioning whether to close his business. Despite years of success in the commercial world and glowing feedback from clients, his social enterprise wasn’t sustainable.
But after connecting with the Business with Purpose Service and working closely with business adviser Louise Jones from the North East BIC, everything changed.
“Louise helped me to step back and look at the business from a completely different angle,” says Chris. “Together, we reviewed my services, pricing, and marketing. She helped me to change how I pitch what I do and to lean into what makes me different.”
Louise’s outside perspective helped Chris to unlock what he already had: a unique blend of commercial insight and social purpose.
And the results speak for themselves – Solid Base has grown its trading income by over 300 per cent, expanded across multiple counties, and attracted new opportunities Chris never thought possible.
Chris’s journey into the social enterprise space came after a successful career in hospitality. From head chef in the busiest restaurant in Wales to a trouble-shooter for Harvester and Whitbread, Chris was no stranger to pressure and problem-solving – but it came at a cost.
“I’d just had my first son and was constantly on the road,” says Chris. “One day I realised how much I was missing out on family life – and that wasn’t fair on any of us.”
That realisation prompted a leap into the third sector, with Chris swapping profit-driven targets for purpose-driven goals after taking on a role as an operations and finance manager at a local charity. It was a big lifestyle shift and one that set him on a new path – one where his skills could make a real difference.
At a networking event, Chris was inspired to go self-employed and founded Solid Base in 2019.
The business now provides bookkeeping, payroll, and financial coaching to social entrepreneurs, charities, start-ups and local SMEs. With deep expertise in QuickBooks (in the top 8 per cent internationally), SAGE Cloud, SAGE 50, and XERO, Solid Base helps start-ups, SMEs and non-profits with bespoke set ups, migrations, training and coaching.
“Charities and small businesses are doing incredible work, but they often lack the tools, time, or knowledge for robust financial management,” Chris says.
“That’s where we come in – to help give them confidence in their numbers and help them make informed decisions. I feel tremendously proud to be contributing towards their goals.”
With the Business with Purpose Service’s support, Chris refined his messaging, split his services into clearer packages, used client testimonials more effectively, and restructured his pricing. He began to make new connections, attract more clients, raise his profile, and reposition himself as the go-to expert in his field.
“Louise made me realise I am the differentiator,” he says. “People are buying my experience, my values, and my approach. Once we brought that into my messaging, and really simplify things it all really started to click.”
The impact wasn’t just professional – it was personal. Chris has come full circle, becoming a mentor through the Peer to Peer programme to support other early-stage social entrepreneurs.
“I didn’t even know this opportunity existed. Now I get to help others just like I was helped. It’s incredibly fulfilling,” he adds.
Chris is now building on his momentum with plans to launch a new venture under the title The QuickBooks Coach, offering webinars, training and sector-specific content. Further down the line, he hopes to replicate the model for XERO users.
He also plans to complete his CIMA accountancy qualification, scale his payroll service and grow his business’s impact even further.
For others thinking about launching a purpose-led business, Chris has this advice: “If you’ve got drive and a great idea, don’t let fear stop you. Working with the BIC gave me the support, clarity and confidence I needed – and that’s available to anyone. You don’t have to do it alone.”