A family-run gin producer in Kent has announced a new membership programme following its highest monthly sales to date in December 2025.

Jonomade Gin, established in 2018, is introducing the subscription alongside four forthcoming limited-edition releases. Members will also have the opportunity to contribute to future recipe development, with places limited to 24 participants.

Founder Matt Blackmore said: “We are delighted to announce our new membership subscription, which coincides with four limited editions that we have ready to launch. I am also working very, very hard on a zero alcohol option that accurately replicates the alcohol version.”

The company name reflects the four members of the Blackmore family – Josh, Noah, Matt and Debbie – while its circular logo represents the family’s UK and New Zealand roots.

The idea for the business emerged after Josh sustained a serious knee injury that prevented him from starting a sports degree in Auckland. As he considered alternative paths, the family began exploring new ideas.

Matt described the moment that shaped their product concept: “I suggested we go for a drink and Josh bring his notepad to discuss ideas,” he said.

“We went to bar and ordered a couple of G+Ts. The newbie behind the bar poured the full 200ml bottle of tonic into a single measure of gin. He destroyed the drink, but he did, unwittingly, give us our USP. What if we could make a flavour-packed gin that stood up to any mixer – or, indeed, a heavy-handed barman?”

The family relocated to the UK in early 2018 and began distilling at their Sevenoaks base in August 2019.

“We knew what we didn’t want to be,” said Matt. “A lot of businesses and products want to be all things to all people, but actually I don’t want to be in Wetherspoons. Every category I can think of is moving from the middle ground to either end of the spectrum between convenience and value or ‘I’m getting a real, genuine experience so I’m going to pay for that’. You have either got Amazon or you have got Fortnum and Mason.”

The pandemic slowed progress, prompting Matt to take other work while reassessing the business direction.

“And we successfully turned our business into a hobby,” said Matt.

Despite the challenges, the brand continued to gain recognition through industry competitions.

“I had entered the gins into the London gin competition through 2020-22 and each of our brands won medals every year,” said Matt. “The people coming into the distillery loved our story, loved what we were trying to do. It just seemed a shame to leave it all behind.

“So last year I gave up full-time work, reset the business, and looked at upskilling, because perhaps I did not have the skills as an entrepreneur that I thought I had. We had our most successful month ever in December 2025. The reason I know we are on the right track is Noah said to me ‘You are more like Dad now,’ – so the years of struggle are leading to good things, and not just from a business perspective.

“We have put ourselves in this amazing position where we have got wonderful products, we have got unbelievably loyal customers, both from a business-to-business perspective but also consumers coming to the distillery regularly.

“I feel like we are about to become an overnight success that has been years in the making.”

Further information is available at jonomade.com.

A business coaching practice is introducing a model that encourages founders to balance commercial growth with personal fulfilment.

Michelle De Almeida, founder of MDA Business Coaching, is advising entrepreneurs to focus on self-mastery and clarity of purpose amid increasing pressure to scale rapidly.

Michelle said: “As entrepreneurs face increasing pressures to scale their businesses, many find themselves caught in a cycle of burnout and stress, driven by metrics that focus solely on turnover,” she said.

“This growth-first mentality, coupled with the relentless pounding of success narratives on social media, can lead to a negative experience for many founders. It often results in disillusionment, anxiety, and a loss of connection to their original vision.

“You may feel like your business has taken over every aspect of your life and that you have disappeared into it.”

She believes that revisiting personal goals can help founders reconnect with their original motivation.

“By reviewing your goals, how you would like your business to work for you, and the way you want to live, you can start to implement a plan to bring it into fruition,” said Michelle.

Her coaching approach encourages a broader definition of success that includes wellbeing, financial resilience and long-term sustainability rather than focusing solely on turnover.

Michelle said the aim was to focus on three areas in particular:

Holistic Success: Founders experience a stronger connection between personal fulfilment and business achievements.
Health and Well-Being: Aligned coaching promotes both mental and physical wellness, reducing stress and enhancing productivity.
Sustainable Financial Success: Prioritising profit margins over turnover means founders can build more resilient businesses that thrive in the long run.

MDA Business Coaching encourages founders to take their own steps towards alignment between themselves and their business. This includes self-reflection exercises and setting goals that prioritise well-being, resulting in businesses designed to support their lifestyle and values.

“As we support founders in their journey, we aim to create a community that fosters growth, accountability, and shared success,” said Michelle.

“By prioritising alignment and personal growth, founders can achieve not only financial success but also a deeper sense of fulfilment and well-being, free from the pressures of social media.”

For more information about MDA Business Coaching and to explore aligned coaching practices, visit mdabusiness.com or contact [email protected].

PB Leisurewear has announced plans to expand its production capability by doubling embroidery capacity in 2026 as it enters its 22nd year in business.

The Surrey-based branded clothing manufacturer will allocate a quarter of its annual profits to the investment, building on the addition of four print machines in 2025 that doubled its printing output.

The company has produced more than two million branded garments since its founding and has recorded a 25 per cent rise in client numbers over the past year.

Director Scott Wilson said: “We now deal with every major manufacturer there is. We have been building bridges with them constantly, and that has got to the point where we don’t believe our offer can be matched, given we have our own factory, right here in the UK, finishing every piece and hand packing every order we do.”

PB Leisurewear continues to complete all finishing and packing at its Surrey facility, maintaining a focus on domestic manufacturing and quality control.

Alongside the production expansion, the company is developing new digital systems, including a website and customer portal that will allow clients to track orders from enquiry through to delivery.

Scott Wilson added: “We are very proud of what we can offer. The fact our factory is managed by us, we control everything, and that’s important. And now we are adding this Customer Portal, we are going to make their journey much nicer. It is all about the client experience for us and we want that to be its best, which this will provide for.”

The investment forms part of a longer-term strategy aimed at strengthening production capacity and improving customer engagement.

BR Accountants LTD, a UK specialist in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), is preparing to reach a major client milestone in 2026 while increasing its workforce by 20 per cent in the first quarter. The expansion reflects continued demand from construction businesses across the country.

The company was established in 2008 by Rodion Batir, who remains involved from Spain, and is led by his brother Ilie Batir at the firm’s East London headquarters.

Under Ilie’s direction, the practice has grown steadily, with more than 80 per cent of its clients operating within the construction sector. This concentration has positioned the firm as a recognised adviser on CIS matters, supporting businesses across the UK from London to the Shetland Islands.

CIS specialism remains central to the firm’s offering, supported by long-term experience in the industry.

“Having this knowledge of CIS is not something you can buy. I have been working with the Construction sector for nearly 20 years,” Ilie Batir said.

Alongside its construction focus, the firm also advises businesses in retail, beauty and film, providing a broader client base and supporting long-term stability.

Ilie Batir, who was born in Moldova, highlighted the importance of maintaining both digital and in-person services.

“We are based in London, and we keep a head office to meet clients, to give them that chance because a lot, if not all, accountancy work can be done online. That is something my brother found out during COVID, and he now does that in Spain. However, we do have an office presence for the people who want that option. We really have clients all over, from London to the Shetlands in the UK and beyond.”

The planned recruitment reflects increased client demand and a focus on future development.

“2026 is going to be a record-breaking one for us, and we are very happy to be moving onto next levels,” Ilie Batir added.

With its client base approaching five figures and a continued emphasis on CIS expertise, the firm is positioning itself for further growth within the UK construction market.

Cleaning with Meaning, founded by Kelly Moore in 2021, is entering its fourth year with steady growth, a strong environmental ethos and plans to extend its services into new sectors.

The Kent-based company now manages more than 100 contracts and is preparing to grow its workforce to ten employees while targeting opportunities in schools and healthcare facilities.

Kelly’s transition into business followed years in healthcare and community roles, during which she balanced employment with raising a family on her own.

A cleaning job found through Facebook became the starting point for a new career. Her leadership skills quickly led to a supervisory role, and she established her own company with a focus on sustainability and social value.

The business has consistently used environmentally responsible products, including early formulations created by Kelly. Its motto, “Looking after our planet one clean at a time,” reflects that approach. Kelly said: “A sustainable route is one we will always be on with this company, because I’m really passionate about the planet and people.”

As the company grows, Kelly is moving into a development role, seeking contracts in education and healthcare where she sees strong alignment with the firm’s environmental message.

“I am talking to a school about a big new contract that would really be taking us into new territory, but what better place than education to grasp our message of sustainability, I really believe that is an ideal place,” Kelly added.

Reaching a team of ten staff represents a significant achievement for the business. Kelly said: “I could not have imagined it, but we will soon have 10 employees. This is just the start – I am so passionate about helping people.”

Beyond commercial activity, she remains committed to community support and recently addressed a Job Centre event aimed at encouraging women to return to work.

Public speaking has become an important part of her outreach. Kelly said: “I love getting up and speaking. There were more than 70 in attendance and explaining my journey to them just felt wonderful. If I can show them how I achieved this, show them it can be done, I would love to be able to bring that message to so many people.”

The company’s next phase will focus on responsible growth, sector expansion and continued community involvement.