31 July 2025
What do a cosy coffee shop and a Pilates studio have in common? In Chippenham, the answer is Millie Jones, a local business owner with a knack for turning passion into place.
Millie’s the co-founder of Coffee on the Corner, a much loved stop for a coffee and matcha in Chippenham. But behind the scenes, she had another dream brewing…one that involved less espresso, more exhale.
For months, Millie was commuting to London to teach Pilates classes, caught between the work she loved and a lifestyle that didn’t quite fit. “I wanted to do more in my own community,” she says. “I just didn’t know how to start.”
That changed when she joined The Refinery, our eight week business growth course delivered through Wiltshire Council’s fully funded Start Up programme. Designed for early stage business owners, The Refinery helped Millie bring her idea for a local wellness studio into focus.
Over eight weeks, she worked with experienced business advisors to map out her vision, shape a viable model, and gain the confidence to move forward. “The Refinery gave me the confidence to tackle different aspects of my business,” she says. “The Future Smiths simplified things I thought weren’t possible.”
After the course, we worked with Millie 1:1 to apply for a grant, supporting her with the funding she needed to equip her space with specialist Pilates apparatus.
The result? The Space to Move, a beautifully curated Pilates studio in the heart of Chippenham. A place for people to pause, strengthen, and reconnect. And a brilliant example of what happens when the right support meets the right moment.
Millie’s story is one of many growing through Wiltshire’s Start Up programme. Whether you’re brewing an idea, growing something early stage, or ready to go all in, there’s a pathway for you:
And yes, it’s all fully funded. Including grants of up to £15,000 to help cover essential start up costs.
Find out more by visiting our Start Up page: https://www.thefuturesmiths.co.uk/wiltshire-startup-programme/
