Core Accountants

4th August 2015

Support Journey

I am a qualified Chartered Accountant with years of experience in dealing with Tax and Accounting matters. Having trained and worked with a number of the larger practices in the area, suddenly and unexpectedly I found myself being made redundant. As it is for many people, this proved to be a shock and prompted me to reconsider my working life. Combined with the arrival of my first daughter, I decided to adopt a more flexible approach to work by becoming self-employed.

Having made the decision, I was then faced with two major issues – my self-esteem had suffered following my redundancy, so my confidence was low and I was unsure how and where I would find customers.

Who is your mentor and how have they helped you?

I approached Enterprise Coach for Shipley, David Humphreys from Airedale Enterprise Services. This introduction turned into a long term relationship and over a 3 year period with David’s support I have moved on from being uncertain and hesitant into a self-assured business woman. Now, as well as working with clients on an individual basis, I am also very comfortable facilitating finance workshops across the District.

When I first met David, I would never have considered myself as a sales person, however, with his gentle nurturing, this side of my character has blossomed. I have been able to become an active net-worker and secure new customers in a way that I would never have dreamt possible a few years ago.

I found the Kickstart assistance useful in clarifying the market, what promotional tools to use to reach the market and the introductions to other organisations including Shipley College and Trident of great value.

Steady Growth

Initially, I found gaining customers to be a very slow, demanding and sometimes dispiriting process, however, I determinedly stuck at the task. All the hours of meeting prospective customers and providing an introductory no cost consultation have eventually begun to pay dividends. Steadily enquiries have become paying customers who in turn have recommended their friends and contacts. Throughout I have maintained my philosophy “We don’t prioritise our clients, all our clients are our priority” and the result is that I now has 30+ clients alongside running evening classes on bookkeeping at Shipley College and having a second daughter.

Telephone:      07961 880291
E-mail:             info@coreaccountants.com
Website:          www.coreaccountants.com

Pepper’s Pals

9th December 2014

My Business

I had spent many years in various responsible roles across a number of different sectors including finance, the NHS and retail but in July 2014 I took the decision to take on a whole new challenge and start my own business. I decided to turn my passion for animals into helping people access the care they desire for their much loved pets.

Pepper’s Pals is named after my yellow Labrador, Pepper. It offers a number of services in Skipton and the surrounding areas, including dog walking, pop-in visits for cats and dogs, and doggy holidays so that owners can be reassured when they are away that their dog is having just as much fun. I will arrange a home visit and an accompanied dog walk where appropriate, to give you peace of mind knowing your pet will be in safe hands and receive the personalised care and attention they need.

I have over 14 years experience of owning dogs and I’ve had the privilege of having 3 Labradors in my life, all with different personalities.

Who is your mentor and how have they helped you?

Since contacting Airedale Enterprise Services, I have been receiving support from Business Coach David Gagen and I have also attended a number of their training courses to help develop my marketing skills.

Contact Jill:

07776307299
jill@pepperspals.co.uk
www.facebook.com/pepperspalsdogwalking

Reeves Flooring Solutions

19th November 2014

My Business

Reeves Flooring Solutions has been in the commercial and domestic floor-covering business since 2000, working as a sub-contractor.  From a full commercial refurbishment to a new bathroom floor, I have gained the expertise and reputation to offer precision installation for the full spectrum of flooring needs for any type of business or domestic property.

Where are you based?

In February 2014, I took the decision to progress my business further.  The opportunity came up to lease a beautiful barn conversion on the Broughton Hall Estate, Broughton, near Skipton, North Yorkshire. I already worked closely with the Estate and have carried out most of their refurbishment requirements.

Who is your mentor and how have they helped you?

I applied to Airedale Enterprises in early 2014 for assistance in developing a business plan and a subsequent application for a Virgin Start Up loan. This was to help set up an additional business Reeves Flooring Solutions and to open a new showroom on the Broughton Estate, where I also live. Having the showroom facility I can now supply direct to the public, providing a much wider range of products across all floor covering ranges and gaining better discounts to give us the edge over competitors.

I was given help and advice by Airedale Enterprise’s David Gagen and ongoing advice has been made available to help with business support including sales and marketing which is discussed at regular review meetings.

What’s next for your business?

I am now working with several local builders as well as major Letting Agencies in Skipton, Ilkley, Skipton, Bingley and Keighley areas. The firm is starting to work with larger construction companies and applying for larger tender opportunities as they arise.

I have now currently employed a Sales Manager, Margaret Jones, who helps to organically grow the business, handling the administration work and freeing me up for measuring and fitting work. By attending various networking events around the area, Margaret  is forging vital links with other local businesses in the area and each meeting usually results in bringing about a new project.

I have also taken on an additional member of staff to work on the fitting side of the business, who is currently learning all the different aspects of the trade.

www.reevesflooringsolutions.co.uk

Tick Tock Unlock

10th October 2014

My Business

As a Former Sports Co-ordinator I took a giant leap of faith by setting up Yorkshire’s first ever real life escape game ‘Tick Tock Unlock’, with the help of Airedale Enterprise Services and Bradford Kickstart.
Tick Tock Unlock, is based within a 10 minute walk from Leeds train station, is a simple and exciting real life escape game designed for small groups of 3-5 people. You only have one goal, which is to escape from the room in 60 minutes by solving a series of puzzles, unravelling clues, finding hidden objects and working together as a team.
I had to overcome many hurdles including a period of unemployment, before deciding to combine my love of problem solving and creativity to establish this unique business. It’s not a concept that many people were aware of and we wanted to bring this to Yorkshire. It’s not been an easy journey and we had many challenges and puzzles of our own to overcome. We also had to do a lot of testing to get things right, which gave us lots to think about.

Who is your mentor and how have they helped you?

I was referred to Airedale Enterprise Services for support where I received helped putting together a business plan, accessing relevant support and gained the confidence to make it happen.
I have never done a business plan before and looking online I got even more confused. It was great having help me every step of the way and it’s great that I can still contact AES for help, support and advice. The business has had rave reviews since its start up this year and is highly ranked on Trip Adviser for attractions in Leeds.
Since we started trading, we have had lots of bookings from businesses, families, friends and tourists. The feedback has been amazing and we could never have imagined being the best place to go for entertainment in Yorkshire! We found a gap in the market and through the support of Airedale Enterprise Services and Bradford Kickstart managed to gain the confidence to make it happen. Ultimately we want a successful business that increases our reputation of purveyors of fun and entertainment so watch this space!

Samrien Hussain: sam@ticktockunlock.co.uk 07572 630822
For bookings: beattheclock@ticktockunlock.co.uk 0113 345 4567
Web: http://www.ticktockunlock.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ticktockunlock
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TickTockUnlock

Shaun O’Hare

6th July 2014

Shaun is our Keighley Big Local Development worker. This role involves him working out in the communities.  Keighley Big Local is a £1 Million investment in the Keighley East electoral Ward and  is supported by Shaun to support the partnership members (residents) of the area to put plans in place to make the area a better place to live, work & play.

A dad of 3, Shaun is an open water swimmer and keen walker. He is a trustee of a local kayak club and on the Management committee of a local juniors football club. He is also a Director of a Community Interest Company delivering environmental projects throughout Yorkshire.

Shaun’s earlier career was as a Landscape Architect delivering projects in the public realm. The role saw him increasingly involved in enabling community groups to focus on organising resources to help all involved work towards the same goals and deal with everything else that takes time away from creating. This has included a number of lottery funded flagship projects across the North of England.

He is also a qualified Project Manager and accredited Third Sector & SFEDI Adviser, Shaun champions enterprise and entrepreneurial individuals to support the sustainability and growth of the Voluntary and Community Sector.