A local entrepreneur’s story
Company Drinks is a CIC based in Barking. With support from BD Giving’s GROW Fund they’ve strengthened their trading model and are laying the foundations for long-term sustainability through social investment.
Alongside producing drinks from locally foraged produce, the CIC also supports around ten local groups who use their building for workshops, classes and community sessions. Based in the former bowls pavilion in Barking Park, they share the space with groups struggling to access affordable space elsewhere.
The challenge: sustaining the work
Founded in 2014, Company Drinks set out to bring people together through fruit picking and by reconnecting communities with local green spaces and the surrounding countryside. By 2023, the team found themselves facing a challenge familiar to many social enterprises.
While Company Drinks generated some income through selling drinks and running bars at events, the majority of its work was grant funded. Increasing competition for funding meant success rates were dropping, and the team recognised the need to strengthen their trading model.
They needed a stronger commercial offer that could support the community work for the long term.
Enter the GROW Fund!
Company Drinks joined BD Giving’s GROW Fund in 2023 to develop the business side of the CIC and explore new income opportunities.
With eight other local business owners they took part in training, peer learning and took on a grant that allowed the team to focus on developing their plans. For Shaun Company Drinks Events Manager, who has always lived in the borough, the experience was transformative.
“The GROW experience gave me so much confidence in my own skills and knowledge. I never imagined I’d get to this point – leading a local business that supports the community I grew up in.”
Shaun
The programme also connected Company Drinks with other local entrepreneurs, creating relationships that have continued beyond the programme.
Learning about social investment
One of the key elements of GROW is introducing organisations to social investment as a potential route to growth.
For Shaun, the concept was daunting:
“Investment is exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking. You need to be sure you can repay it. For us, it’s been about taking the time to get the foundations right.”
Company Drinks did not rush into investment. As a small part-time team, they needed time to strengthen their foundations.
Preparing for social investment
BD Giving continued to support them beyond the programme, helping them access the Reach Fund, which provides specialist support to prepare organisations for investment.
With this support, the team has been refining its business plan and developing a new strategy.
After two years of development, Company Drinks is now exploring a social investment loan to expand their events and drinks business. Their goal is to grow trading income while continuing to invest in community activities.
Looking ahead
Company Drinks’ vision is ambitious and entirely grounded in the borough.
By strengthening the commercial side of the organisation, the team hopes to create jobs, apprenticeships and new opportunities for local people while sustaining the community hub they’ve built.
For Shaun, the journey has reinforced the power of long-term partnership.
“With BD Giving it feels like a genuine relationship. It’s not just funding, it’s people in the borough who want to see you succeed.”
As Company Drinks moves towards investment and growth, they’re proving that enterprises and social purpose can co-exist.
Curious about GROW 2026? Applications close on the 8th April. See here for more information or click to apply below.
