Meet the Customers: Spatial Synergy

by: Hannah

September 17th, 2010

David understands transport inside-out

David Marshall owns Spatial Synergy, a company that provides spatial and transport planning consultancy.

Spatial Synergy see their ‘final report’ as just the beginning of their job, and work with their clients and delivery partners to ensure that their recommendations are implemented.

With an ecologically sensitive approach, David Marshall’s spatial and transport planning consultancy offers a service that balances the needs of clients and communities. Through experience, advice and a wide network of associates, Spatial Synergy knows how to ‘make things happen’.

For more information about Spatial Synergy, get in touch on 07710 859 669, or visit their website www.spatialsynergy.co.uk

What does your company do?
Spatial and transport planning consultancy work for a range of public, private and voluntary sector clients.

What makes your business different?
We bring 28 years of experience in ‘making things happen’.  The final report isn’t seen as the end but more the beginning.

What inspired you to start this business?
It is something that I have wanted to do for a long time.  Changes within my previous employment provided me with the time and money to go ahead and do it.

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?
I am establishing a network of associates – like minded people with complementary skills to mine who I can call on to provide added value to any particular commission.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
Well established with a growing reputation and employing 10-12 people.

Visit www.spatialsynergy.co.uk to find out more

What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
A will to succeed.

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
Effective marketing techniques.

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?
The urban regeneration developer Urban Splash for its fresh approach to developing unfashionable areas of cities, and open access train operator Grand Central for bringing main line rail services to communities that were previously excluded.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
Developing a regular client base during a time of financial austerity.  However this gives me opportunities and advantages over the ‘big boys’!

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?
It is how I expected it – hard but enjoyable work.  I’ve not had any nasty surprises yet!

What is your main goal for your company?
I aim initially to become sufficiently well established to provide me with enjoyable work.  In the longer term to build up a critical mass of similarly minded creative individuals.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?
Life is for living not existing – just go for it.

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Meet the Customers: QS Charles

by: Hannah

September 10th, 2010

QS Charles Ltd provides professional Chartered Quantity Surveyor services to both public and private clients.

A decision was made in 2010 to form a company that could deliver quality, value and results to both corporate and private individual clients, in what has been a challenging realignment of the economic and commercial global environment that existed and operated for a respective chapter in recent economic history.

The way both private and public sector clients assess, procure, manage and deliver their respective goals, has changed in recent times in both the internal and external supply chains.

Welcome to www.qscharles.co.uk

At QS Charles, there has been recognition that there still needs to be a professional, experienced, and regulated service that can be appointed by future and current clients to ensure that their common goals and objectives are accomplished in terms of quality, value and results.Every client of QS Charles is given the same professional service, under the professional standards and ethics, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, for more information, call us today on 01536 524030, or visit www.qscharles.co.uk.

What does your company do?
QS CHARLES provide the following professional services, under the professional standards and ethics, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors:

  • Chartered Quantity Surveying
  • Cost Consulting
  • Employers Agents
  • Contract Administration
  • Purchasers Agents
  • Bank Monitoring Surveyors

These services are offered to corporate, private, public and non profit making organisations.

What makes your business different?
The business provides professional services to an entire market, through the global reach of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. QS Charles exists to ensure that the goals and aspirations of clients are met, and that they receive dedicated delivery of quality, value and results, irrespective of their budget. Every client of QS Charles is given the same professional standard of service.

What inspired you to start this business?
For many years my journey to gain professional experience and qualifications has been my goal, and an extremely difficult path to have walked. There have been obstacles and hurdles on this journey, both in my professional and personal life.

The inspiration has come from my beloved family, through what they have achieved and in the way they have conducted their professional and family life. Without the foundations placed by them, I would not have made the most of the opportunities that have been presented to me. I also respect and regard the previous companies that have employed me, as they helped build my knowledge and skills, and I have acquired a wealth of experience from them.

Charles Ridley has a wealth of experience and skills in Chartered Surveying

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?
Currently we have no directly employed staff – but the business is already looking to grow and it will need dedicated good quality and valued full time individuals, who will be treated and respected in order that we all grow and deliver together the common shared goal.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
I have set QS Charles two important 3 year milestones: to have delivered quality, value and results to our clients beyond their expectations; and also in parallel we have provided a company for people to positively enjoy, contribute to, enjoy working for, and be proud to be part of.


What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
I have developed the professional discipline of using my eyes, ears, voice, mind, and experience when making professional decisions. At QS Charles we respect others, value peoples’ opinions, views, beliefs, cultures, circumstances and situations.


What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
The business will grow through maintaining a recognition that that a company only exists by way of its people, and I wish to learn more about placing the future members of this company in an environment whereby they are happy, respected, regarded, and can individually grow for the benefit of themselves, the company and our clients.

Call QS Charles or visit their website to find out more about their professional services

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?
Virgin Group has set a modern business model of a company group, to diversify and maintain a market presence. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda have extended their respective, market presence and portfolio of goods in an ever changing market and global economy. World leaders of late have inspired also, the Presidents and Prime Ministers of the global super-economic countries now demonstrate a vision of presence, but with a compassion for global equality, peace and unity, in very challenging economic, and environmental times.


What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
The challenge is to secure professional commissions in a global double recession and try to secure confidence in a UK market.

What is your main goal for your company?
To continue to provide quality, value and results to all our clients, even as the company grows and develops.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?
Believe in yourself, in your own ideas and aspirations. Go ahead and start your own business; rather than look back with regret in the future.

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Meet the Customers: Events Couture

by: Hannah

September 3rd, 2010

Events Couture help put together events of all sizes, styles and budgets

Events Couture is a company that’s actually more of a community. After becoming a mum, Clare Harrison found herself in great demand from her friends and family for her catering skills and amazing parties.

Events Couture was formed to organise parties and events of all sizes, styles and budgets using Clare’s own skills and talents as well as those of her close network of partners and contacts.

Clare considers the experience to be more like working with friends than companies, and it just goes to show that the personal touch she gives to every event is apparent in everything she does.

From small suppers to big weddings, Events Couture always aim to give you the perfect party, whatever your budget, give them a call on 01449 7253104, or 07540 185309 or visit the website at www.eventscouture.co.uk

What does your company do?
Our company caters for everything from relaxed suppers up to weddings, corporate events and everything in between. And now with the launch of our couture cookery school we’re also helping our customers to make their favourite restaurant meals at home any night of the week.

What makes your business different?
At Events Couture, we have the skills to make sure that whatever your budget there’s no need to compromise on the quality of your event.

What inspired you to start this business?
Our customers! Before having my children I had worked in the hospitality trade, and while they were young I carried on catering and planning parties and events for friends and family. Once the children started school, other people started asking if I would do their parties for them, I decided now was the time to set up on my own.

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?
The best thing about setting up the business has been getting to work every day with the friends I’ve made over the years, having people that you can trust and rely on has really made a difference.

Visit the website to start planning your perfect event

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
Hopefully still doing what we love to do!

What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
Passion for what we do and a determination to keep doing it.

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
I think that constantly researching different cultures and cusines as well as focusing on new trends will help to keep our business fresh.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
I think the same things most new businesses face really, just getting our name out there and letting people know what were about.

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?
It’s been surprising how helpful the other companies that we work with have been, their going out of their way to give us their time and help has been really beneficial, especially in the very beginning. It’s great to be part of such a close community of businesses – and friends!

What is your main goal for your company?
To maintain the same personal quality and service as the business grows.

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Meet the Customers – Studio 69

by: Hannah

August 20th, 2010

Khary Cave at Studio 69

After training as a geologist, and 7 years working as an environmental consultant, Khary Cave saw friends around him taking the plunge and starting their own companies, and felt the drive to go into business for himself.

However, it was after a long stint working in France that gave him the inspiration to dramatically change his career. After visiting his friend (and future business partner) David’s studio in Paris, Khary knew he’d found the business for him – a tattoo and piercing studio.

At Studio 69, Khary aims to bring a personal and distinctive touch to the industry. They provide high quality tattoos and piercings in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere so that each and every customer feels comfortable.

Even after some unexpected setbacks – like a car crashing through the studio window – Khary’s calm composure and meticulous planning mean that he is ready for anything – even for the uncertainties of being a small business owner.

Khary Cave runs Studio 69, a tattoo and piercing studio in Walthamstow in London, you can get in touch on 0208 531 4947 or through their website www.studio69tattoo-piercing.co.uk

What does your company do?
We are a tattoo and body piercing studio and we also sell a range of body jewellery.

What makes your business different?
We are a fairly small and recently opened studio. The atmosphere in the studio is very friendly and relaxed and we always make the effort to remember every customer’s name. We’ve managed to keep our prices very low without compromising on the quality of the service offered. Our tattoo artists have distinct but complementary styles, so you can always get the perfect tattoo at Studio 69.

What inspired you to start this business?
I’ve wanted to start my own business for quite a long time, probably because so many friends around me are successful entrepreneurs. After seeing the success and professionalism of my business partner’s studio in France, I knew this was the business for me.

Have you previously run any other businesses? Could you tell us a little bit about them?
No, this is my first business venture. I am actually a trained geologist and worked as an environmental consultant in the north west for 7 years before opening Studio 69.

Studio 69's tattoo artists are highly skilled

How are you funding your business?
We managed to secure a business loan for 50% of our start-up costs.

Do you have any staff or partners in your business?
My business partner David is a piercer with 15 years’ experience and two successful, established studios called 2GY in Paris. We also employ two tattoo artists, Tommy and Desmond, and a piercer called Ruth. We all get along brilliantly, I feel very lucky that we’ve managed to assemble such a great team.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
I would love to expand the range of products and services we offer, and would definitely not rule out having a second studio opening within 3 years.

What characteristics do you have that will help you make your business a success?
My passion for business is my main attribute. I also have a very friendly and outgoing personality, which helps with making all our customers feel welcome. I am very driven, and dedicated to making sure that every single one of our clients has an enjoyable visit – and I’m confident that to this date I have been able to deliver that.

What are you most keen to learn that will help you grow your business?
I would love to learn to pierce in the future, and although I have an accountant I think it’s probably a good idea to do a basic bookkeeping course.

Are there any brands, companies or personalities that you most admire or aspire to?
I really admire the Innocent Smoothie brand and its founders Richard Reed, Adam Bacon and Jon Wright. Innocent came from nowhere in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and now dominate the UK market.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your company?
Although we have managed to break even in our first month after opening two and a half months ago, cash flow is a challenge that we try to mitigate by meticulous planning. Marketing and promotion – and just getting our name out there is also a challenge.

Is being a business owner how you expected it to be, or have you had any surprises along the way?
No matter how much planning and research you do prior to opening there will always be surprises. For example, after careful financial planning to ensure that I could pay my staff and bills, a car ran into the front of the studio, destroying the electric shutters and shattering the glass.

I am insured, but in order to secure the shop I had to pay for repairs myself whilst waiting on the insurer’s response. This happened only 2 months after opening, so it was a major shock – not to mention a drain on limited resources.

www.studio69tattoo-piercing.co.uk

What is your main goal for your company?
My main aim is to create a strong, instantly recognisable brand and to continue to provide tattoos and piercings of the highest quality.

Do you have any advice for people thinking of starting their own business?
My main piece of advice would be to do your research in the planning stages. A business plan is essential, not only to secure a loan or funding, but it also forces you to think about all the things you need to think about.

Finally, I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but location is very, very important. Get your business premises location wrong and it will be a lot harder to get your company off the ground in that crucial first 6 months.

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Do you have the right personality to be an entrepreneur?

by: Rebecca

June 17th, 2010

I was fascinated by the recent BBC program “child of our time” which conducted the largest ever personality test in Britain.

It was reported that we all have five core traits in our personalities but to different degrees:

  • Openness indicates how willing we are to explore new ideas and ways of doing things.

Scoring high in openness means you should be suited to creative jobs such as journalism, art, research

  • Conscientiousness indicates how well we plan and exhibit self-control.

It was shown that those scoring high in conscientiousness tend to be happy in whatever role they choose as in the work place you have the ability to create structure and rules and understand that the more you put into your work the great the rewards will be.

  • Extroversion indicates our desire for stimulation.

It is thought that if you score highly in extroversion you are suited to careers with lots of simulation and social contact such as sales, finance, law and teaching.

  • Agreeableness indicates how easily we get along with others.

A high score here indicates you would be most content in caring industries such as health care and education.

  • Neuroticism indicates how we deal with negative emotions such as stress and anxiety.

Displaying high levels of neuroticism is perfect for administration roles because these negative emotions drive the need to be perfect thus minimising errors.

After watching the program and listening to the traits I found it exceptionally difficult to judge what my profile might look like. I was keen to understand how I came out so I could relate this back to how I perform at work. After taking the test I found I was a fairly even mix but conscientiousness was highest and neuroticism was lowest.

To find out the balance in your personality you can take the BBC online test https://www.bbc.co.uk/labuk/results/personality/index_safe.html

I thought I have a look at the traits considered important to succeed as an entrepreneur and associate these to the personality traits:

Inner Drive to Succeed (conscientiousness)

Strong Belief in themselves (extroversion)

Search for New Ideas and Innovation (openness)

Openness to Change (openness)

Competitive by Nature (extroversion)

Accepting of Constructive Criticism and Rejection (agreeableness)

The thing to appreciate here is that we are all a mix of all the recognised personality traits and after looking at the research it is my belief that anyone can start a business. The initial desire must first be present, which already indicates you have a higher leaning to the tendencies required.

The moral of this story is that to run a successful business it’s vitally important to be self aware and appreciating what you can do well and understanding what someone else could do better for you. Which opportunities are more suited to your personality profile? Perhaps you’ll need to employ managers or take on an accountant in your chosen venture.

Entrepreneurs out there, I would be very interested to learn what your results came out like.

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Mistakes to avoid when forming a limited company

by: Rebecca

June 14th, 2010

Not taking professional advice first

There are lots of very good reasons to form a limited company but it’s important to take advice first on the right company structure for you. Financially, you may better off with a partnership or to trade as a sole trader for example. If you are unsure call the office and we can put you through to an accountant who will offer free advice.

Cheap/free company formation offers

Once you’ve established you need to form a limited company make sure that you use the right company formation agent. There are plenty of cheap or free company formation offers but there is often a reason for this. 

The low end prices advertised tend to only form the company and email you a copy of the incorporation certificate. (This is a good service if you are a professional or have a good understanding of company law.) You will quickly find that you are legally required to have other documents that they will charge, often over the rate, for that will enable them to make their money. These will be added on as you go through the formation process so what appears to be £35 ends up £89.

We often get disgruntled customers calling us for advice as they cannot get through to their formation agent and are unclear about what the next steps are to take. 

Free offers mostly tend to obligate you to form a bank account with the formation agent’s partner as the banks pay a commission for this. Always read the small print as you will find there are significant fines from the formation agency for not opening a bank account or other service you have inadvertently signed up for.

Paying too much

Similarly paying in excess of £100 for your company formation is considered a bit steep. Unless the company administering this for you is offering other services such as VAT registration, company office and secretarial services. In many cases clients will ask or assume that only their accountants can complete the company formation. I have been shocked by some of the excessive fees that accountants are charging for a service that they simply ask their formation agent to do. To be fair, I have also been very impressed with those accountants who have added very little or no commission.

DIY

You can form a company with Companies House directly, yourself, for a fee, however you should know that around 90% of formations are formed electronically. There is a reason that even the professional accountants and lawyers opt to incorporate this way and that’s time. If you know how to accurately complete the paperwork, set up the structure and get the documents officially signed it can still take many days to get your company formed and receive the documents back from Companies House. Formation agents can do everything for you in a few hours and the good ones will provide you with all the help and additional documentation you need to get things going.

Not registering a domain

If you don’t intend to use professional looking emails or put up a website straight away you should register your domain name as soon as possible. 

Rebeccadawe@yahoo.co.uk (not a professional email)

rebecca@duport.co.uk (a professional email that matches our company name. Personal email addresses, above, do not inspire confidence)

www.duport.co.uk(by registering the domain duport.co.uk we’ve been able to put our website at this Internet address)

 There are professional companies registering domain names in the hope to sell them back to you at a later time for excessive fees. Check you can find a domain to match your company name and register them both at the same time.

Call us anytime for advice on any of the issues above. As always we promise there’s no obligation to use us!

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