Cheshire Community Foundation awarded Joshua a £500 grant through the The SWEF Enterprise Fund to support the launch of his specialist gaming retail business, The Hodgepodge Wizard. Six months on, the grant has played an important role in helping Joshua turn his plans into a trading reality.
The Hodgepodge Wizard was created to serve a growing community of tabletop gamers, hobbyists and collectors. Joshua sells board games, trading card games, roleplaying games, miniatures games such as Warhammer, and hobby supplies including paint ranges such as Citadel Paints.
Prior to launch, Joshua invested over £12,000 of his own money into the business and spent four months researching suppliers and securing premises. With three years of retail and customer service experience, a BTEC in Business Studies, and hands-on leadership experience as a former leader of a school enterprise company, he combined practical retail knowledge with genuine passion for the hobby sector.
His market research identified a clear local gap: whilst some shops stocked mainstream board games, there was no dedicated specialist retailer offering a full range of tabletop gaming products. Joshua’s aim was to provide a local alternative to travelling into Manchester or ordering online.
How the grant helped:
The £500 grant was used towards essential start-up stock, primarily funding a new paint range including Citadel products. As Joshua explains:
“Getting the grant helped with the start-up costs of the business. Some things I needed to buy up front, so it was very helpful to get the extra £500 to help pay for that paint range.”
The addition of paints was strategically important. Unlike many products that are purchased occasionally, paints are consumable items, creating repeat custom and helping to build regular footfall. The grant therefore supported not just initial stock levels, but longer-term sustainability.
Challenges along the way:
Although competition locally is limited, Joshua has faced challenges common to independent retailers:
- Raising awareness locally – With no similar shops nearby, many customers are accustomed to buying online.
- Competing with large online brands – Standing out in search results and online marketplaces against national retailers has proven difficult.
- Balancing cash flow – Managing multiple outgoing costs at once while building steady income.
Joshua reflects that one of his biggest lessons has been learning to manage risk and juggle finances effectively:
“Taking risks is how you grow a business … I’ve learnt how to juggle outgoings and keep the ship afloat when a lot of outgoings all come at once.”
Plans for Growth
Looking ahead, Joshua’s ambitions are clear:
- Move to larger premises with fewer restriction's
- Create an in-house gaming space rather than renting external venues
- Expand product range and diversity and
- Strengthen online presence to reach customers beyond his immediate area.
He hopes that, if successful in securing further support in the future, additional grant funding would significantly accelerate plans to relocate and expand.
What the Grant Meant
The impact of the £500 grant was tangible. It reduced the pressure of upfront stock investment and enabled Joshua to launch with a stronger, more competitive product offering.
Importantly, the funding formed part of a broader foundation of personal investment, business planning and industry knowledge. Joshua structured his business to start small and grow steadily, reinvesting profits to expand the range and strengthen the store’s reputation as a destination for hobbyists.
Six months on, The Hodgepodge Wizard is trading, building awareness and laying the groundwork for future expansion - demonstrating how targeted early-stage funding can help young entrepreneurs turn detailed planning into a functioning local enterprise.
