Good News Story Update: Make a note of Val's story

17th February, 2012

Chris Butler, Five Lamps' Senior Business Development Officer recently caught up with Val Boyers to see how her business has been since we published a Good News Story about her in August 2011

During 2011, Five Lamps supported Val to start her own business as a professional singer. Last year turned out to be quite a successful year for Val, with over 60 singing dates in a wide variety of venues across the area.

Val has been highly praised, with one customer commenting “Absolutely amazing, you made our wedding simply magical and would recommend you to everyone. Our guests are still talking about how wonderful you sounded on the day and we will always remember our first dance which you sang beautifully. Thank you so much!”

The future looks promising and 2012 has started extremely strongly with over 60 dates already in the diary for the year, including 16 weddings.

Val is now a regular in some local venues including Rockcliffe Hall among others. When Chris spoke to Val early in February 2012 she was preparing to go for an audition with Jason Isaccs, the world renowned Big Band Swing singer.

If you would like to book Val for your event, she can be contacted on 07787165536 or val.boyers@googlemail.com

Five Lamps continues to offer support to Val, who is a regular attender at Five Lamps' monthly business networking event, which helps her make new contacts and increase the number of people who know about her music.

Are you interested in becoming your own boss? Call us NOW on 01642 608316

Photograph shows (left to right): Val Boyers

February 2012

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As the youngest of ten children, Val Boyers was born into a musical family, growing up surrounded by singing. After having her two children she started to look for a way of combining her love of singing with looking after her children and making some money.

Val had already made some demo CDs but realised that to start up as a professional singer she would need some equipment but more importantly, support and business advice. She heard about Stockton Enterprise Gateway and contacted Five Lamps to find out if they could help.

Throughout January 2011 Chris Butler, Senior Business Development Officer at Five Lamps worked with Val as she developed her ideas around the possibility of making a living out of her passion and talent. She found the financial and marketing advice to be really helpful.

In February 2011, armed with a strong business plan to give her a guide through her first year and with funding from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund towards her start up costs, she started approaching agents and venues to secure bookings and gigs.

Val is now performing regularly in local venues, special events and celebrations of all kinds. She recently appeared at the Lionsraw Valentine’s Ball at Judges and the Children’s Society Event at the Riverside Stadium.

Looking back on her decision to start her business Val said “Combining my love of singing and making a little bit of money, while still being able to spend time with my children, is an ideal solution all round”

Download this Good News Story (PDF)

Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed. The Enterprise Gateway is delivered by Five Lamps on behalf of Stockton Borough Council.

The Enterprise Gateway project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, securing £380,643 ERDF investment. The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region. For more information click here.

August 2011

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