Val Middleton first came into Five Lamps in April 2014 asking for help and advice in setting up her Cleaning business named ‘Warrior Clean’
Having been employed in this sector for many years, Val had lots of experience and felt confident about the work but had never run a business and, understandably, was slightly apprehensive about the prospect.
She first attended an ‘Is it for me?’ workshop which covers the challenges and pros and cons of being self-employed, then started with one to one help, advice and guidance meetings with Ian Garforth, Enterprise Coach at Five Lamps.
Val was placed on the New Enterprise Allowance programme, which provided her with some financial assistance post start up.
Following some market research and operational preparation work, Val saw that there was a healthy demand for her service and that her business idea was definitely viable. She attended another three of Five Lamps’ ‘We mean Business’ workshops which covered ways to find and keep customers, how to network, social media and how to use it to benefit the business, legalities, health and safety, finding premises, Tax, NI and self-assessment.
Val was ready to start trading in May 2014. Three months after start up, Val’s hard work is paying off. Warrior Clean is proving to be a success, with Val finding plenty of work and enjoying being her own boss and she has found the challenge rewarding.
Val said of the Five Lamps service
“I was referred to Five Lamps via the local Job Centre as I had an idea for a business and needed advice and support to make it real. Five Lamps provided a wide range of advice and information to help me achieve this, with one to one support offering guidance on formulating a business plan as well as the positive and negative aspects of starting a new business, I also attended several workshops which I found very informative”
“My mentor Ian gave me so much information and it was he who really gave me the confidence to believe that my business idea could turn into something exciting. Ian has really made a huge difference to my life as I have now achieved my goal of a cleaning business. Warrior Clean Domestic & Commercial Cleaning Service and I am ecstatic with my achievements, I have a van, equipment and products to enable a high standard of cleaning and business is doing well. Thank you Ian and all the Five Lamps staff for making it happen”
The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.