I was inspired to start my business by…. I have worked for large corporate companies for over 35 years helping and supporting local businesses. I saw a gap in the market when my friend bought their electric car and realised how difficult it was to find both a product and installer locally. I have two great business partners who are wanting to help local people and their businesses in the community. Running an environmentally friendly business and helping other business be more environmental can set your business apart from your competitors.
My favourite thing about running my business is……I love meeting new clients, building a relationship and understanding their needs, finding a solution that is right for them and taking pride in providing a quality service.
The three words that best describe my business are………integrity, service, quality
Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because……Sheffield brings a unique mix of city life, the great outdoors and is diverse and friendly. The City provides an entrepreneurial culture with a strong pipeline of talent which is great for any start up business.
Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because…Sheffield is home to creative and inventive businesses. It has a growing population and low costs compared to other larger cities. There are opportunities for funding and you can now also see a series of the City Development projects. Exciting times ahead after what has been a difficult couple of years.
The best advice I ever got was….Don’t ever stop learning and growing as a person. Always take time to celebrate your successes and reflect on what has gone well and more importantly what didn’t go so well so you can learn from your mistakes.
The worst advice I ever got was…
This is a really hard question…..I was once told that mentors are a waste of time, however I have had a number of mentors and people within my life whether that be family, work colleagues, and friends that I have always listened to. Those people have had a real impact on my career, all of whom are inspiring people, which has had an enormous influence on me and my life and career.
The organisations that have supported me and my business include….In my new business I had support from my business partners Jackie and Joe who are both committed to our new challenge. Our accountant Shirley Hart who has set everything up for us, our bank at Metro Bank Sheffield for opening our account along with our website designers Northern Media with a special shout out to Jess Venson in particular who has been amazing.
The main challenges facing my industry/sector are…..Some electric vehicles have limited driving range so make sure you pick the right vehicle for you. For longer journeys make sure you have a “pit stop” planned on your route. If you have an up to date app such as “Zap-Map” this will really help.
In five years’ time I expect my business…I would expect that there will be a wider range of electrical vehicles, prices maybe falling and models diversifying. Around 30 per cent of new car sales will likely be electric and therefore the impact of more users will mean the need for more installations in the home and at the workplace. I would like to predict that my business will have grown, building a great brand and reputation in the local community.
