When you walk through the door of Love’s Independent Funeral Directors in Stafford, you’ll find more than a business transaction; you’ll find empathy, professionalism, and steady guidance during life’s most difficult moments.
Founded by Stuart Love, Love’s Funerals was born from a clear vision: to combine traditional values with modern approaches to funeral care, ensuring families receive the personal support they need at a time when it matters most.
But while compassion and service are at the heart of the work, Stuart recognised that running a high street business comes with challenges that require just as much attention as the day-to-day care of families. Balancing service with strategy, maintaining operations, and looking ahead to growth can be difficult, especially for independent businesses.
That’s where Good2Great’s High Street Boost programme entered the picture.A Programme Built for the High Street.
High Street Boost is part of Good2Great’s commitment to strengthening independent businesses across Stafford. Delivered locally, the programme provides free access to one-to-one mentoring, workshops, and peer-to-peer learning, giving business owners practical tools to build confidence, refine their operations, and engage more effectively with their community.
For Stuart, the timing was ideal.
“As a funeral director, our focus is always on families, not on sales or marketing. I wanted to take a step back and look at the business differently, to see where we could improve and where new opportunities might lie. The fact that the programme was local and focused on high street businesses in Stafford made it the perfect fit for us.”
Meeting Challenges Head-On
Running a funeral home presents challenges unlike many other sectors. The work is deeply personal and trust-driven. Growth strategies, marketing campaigns, and efficiency drives must always be handled with sensitivity.
For Stuart, the main challenges were clear:Balancing care with business strategy – keeping families first while improving efficiency and visibility.
Exploring growth opportunities,ensuring his relatively new high street business had strong foundations for the future.Gaining external perspective, moving beyond internal decision-making and welcoming fresh, objective advice.Staying rooted in community,making sure business growth strengthened, rather than diluted, their role in Stafford.
The Power of Mentoring and Peer Support
Through the programme, Stuart began working one-to-one with Nicola, a Good2Great mentor. Her guidance, knowledge, and enthusiasm gave Stuart the chance to explore his business challenges in a safe and supportive space.
“The one-to-one mentoring has been invaluable and Nicola is fantastic. It’s given me a chance to discuss specific challenges and opportunities with someone so knowledgeable and experienced.”
Together, they explored practical next steps: identifying grants and funding opportunities, shaping sensitive but effective marketing strategies, and finding ways to streamline operations without losing the personal touch families value most. Beyond mentoring, Stuart also joined workshops with other local business owners. For him, these sessions highlighted the shared experiences of high street entrepreneurs.
“It’s refreshing to know that many of the challenges we face are shared. We’ve been able to learn from each other’s successes and failures.”
Building Confidence and Clarity
Although still early in the High Street Boost journey, Stuart says the impact is already tangible.Confidence for the future – having expert input has given clarity on next steps.Clearer strategies – marketing, operations, and funding now sit on a stronger footing.Stronger community connections – engaging with other businesses has deepened ties with Stafford’s high street network.
“We are very new to the scheme but I can honestly say I’m really looking forward to the future working alongside Nicola and the Good2Great team to see how everything evolves.”
A Voice for Independent Business
For Stuart, High Street Boost isn’t simply about business advice, it’s about perspective. By stepping back and opening up to external input, he has found renewed confidence and a clearer sense of direction.
“The Good2Great programme isn’t just about business advice; it’s about gaining a fresh perspective, building a network of local professionals, and finding the tools to take your business to the next level. Whether you’re a new business looking to get established or an experienced one aiming for growth, it’s a fantastic resource right on our doorstep.”
Supporting a Stronger High Street
Love’s Funerals is just one of many businesses in Stafford benefiting from the High Street Boost programme. For Good2Great, stories like Stuart’s underline the importance of providing practical, local support to entrepreneurs who are navigating both the pressures of business ownership and the responsibility of serving their community.
The message is clear: whether you run a café, a pottery studio, or a funeral home, every independent business can benefit from taking a step back, gaining fresh insight, and learning alongside others.
High Street Boost is here to make sure Stafford’s high street isn’t just surviving, but thriving.
