After spending a number of years working as an electrician for other companies, Ian Gilkes, 27 from Stockton decided in 2009 that instead of making profits for other businesses, he was going to make them for his own business.
After nearly a year of research and planning he approached Five Lamps for help to access finance.
Simon Coe, Five Lamps Business Development Officer signposted Ian onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme and worked intensively with him to produce a business plan to support a Five Lamps business loan application. While he was working on his plan he also attended some free Five Lamps Enterprise Gateway workshops which helped him sharpen up his thinking especially around his marketing.
In summer 2010, Ian started trading as ‘Blu Sparx’ and since then the business has grown from strength to strength.
At the regular Five Lamps monthly network event, Ian said
“I’m winning business all the time now and need to think about employing someone. The freedom of being my own boss is brilliant and I get a real buzz out of seeing a happy customer”
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.