LaunchMe: Axé Boom Boom CIC
Axé Boom Boom CIC joined LaunchMe in Spring 2024 to help them scale their impact and reach more children in their community. The programme came about in a perfect space and time for them, as they were actively thinking about expanding and developing their services.
About Axé Boom Boom CIC
Axé Boom Boom CIC, founded by Kasia and her husband Grzes, is a dynamic social enterprise that uses the power of Capoeira and Djembe drumming to tackle childhood inactivity across Edinburgh. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to make all children “active for life” through engaging, culturally rich activities that develop both body and mind.
What They Do
Axé Boom Boom CIC delivers Capoeira and Djembe drumming sessions through multiple formats to maximise accessibility:
- Afternoon classes – regular after-school programmes
- Breakfast classes – early morning sessions to energise children for the day
- Festival workshops – community event participation and cultural celebration
- Birthday parties – making physical activity part of special celebrations
- Team building sessions – developing cooperation and social skills
Their programmes focus on developing the whole body, mind, and body connection – recognising that physical activity is most effective when it engages children mentally, emotionally, and socially as well as physically.
Their vision of making all children “active for life” through culturally rich, engaging programmes offers a compelling alternative to traditional approaches to children’s fitness. By combining physical activity with cultural education and community building, they’re creating experiences that benefit children’s development in multiple ways.
The Social Mission
Axé Boom Boom CIC directly tackles the growing problem of childhood inactivity, which affects children’s physical health, mental wellbeing, and social development.
Rather than short-term fitness solutions, they aim to instil lifelong habits and a love of movement. Their approach helps children develop positive relationships with physical activity that will serve them throughout their lives.
Using Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics, and music) and African Djembe drumming, they also connect children with rich cultural traditions.
Why They Joined LaunchMe
Kasia recognised the need for structured support to help them scale their impact and reach more children in their community.
Like many social entrepreneurs, they experienced the isolation of running a business alone and needed connection with peers and mentors.
What LaunchMe Provided
- Networking opportunities and peer support – connecting with social investors, other social enterprises facing similar challenges, and potential partners
- Workshops and mentorship – led by experienced sector experts with follow up one-to-one support
- Leadership development – “becoming an even better leader” through feedback and learning from others
- Expert facilitation – accessing experienced experts to provide guidance and support
Having access to mentors and peers to bounce back ideas with, significantly improved Kasia’s ability to make informed business decisions. While breaking the barriers of being alone in business has made the entrepreneurial journey more sustainable and enjoyable.
Kasia also experienced measurable improvement in leadership capabilities, and began to think more strategically about expansion and service development.
Future Aspirations
After their success on LaunchMe, Axé Boom Boom CIC will be looking to achieve their ultimate goal of expanding their services in the community, serving more children and connecting them with a wide range of cultural activities, whilst also enhancing their social impact.
Axé Boom Boom CIC’s LaunchMe experience highlights the importance of peer support and mentorship in scaling social enterprises effectively.
The organisation’s growth plans, supported by LaunchMe’s networking and mentorship opportunities, position them to significantly expand their impact while maintaining the quality and cultural authenticity that makes their approach so effective.
Kasia’s lessons for other social enterprises
- Cultural activities can drive social change – traditional arts and cultural practices can be powerful vehicles for addressing modern social problems
- Holistic approaches work – programmes that develop body, mind, and cultural connection can be more engaging than purely physical activities
- Timing matters for support programmes – accessing development support when you’re ready to expand maximises the benefit
- Peer learning prevents isolation – connecting with other social entrepreneurs provides practical and emotional support
- Mentorship enhances decision-making – having experienced people to discuss ideas with improves business strategy
- Multiple delivery formats increase access – offering services at different times and in different contexts reaches more children
- Leadership development is ongoing – even experienced entrepreneurs benefit from peer support and feedback
Find out more about Axé Boom Boom CIC on their website, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.