Teri’s Business is more than just an Accessory

Teri Ellington first came to Five Lamps in 2018 for business advice; she had a vision to create a luxury, high quality, time piece, which would also offer exclusivity to her customers.

Five Lamps, Business Advisor, Chris Butler, was very impressed with Teri’s determination and passion to turn her vision into a reality.

Teri had lost her job and with £80 and a laptop she had designed and created her first watch collection, the Sheba collection. The collection was dedicated to Teri’s German shepherd Sheba, who had become a therapy dog for Teri after she was unable to leave her home for almost two years, as she suffered with depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia. Sheba helped Teri to build up her resilience and overcome her mental illnesses.

Teri was referred to Five Lamps by her Father, who had received business support from Five Lamps a few years previous.

She received one to one support from Chris Butler, Five Lamps Business Advisor including encouraging and supporting her to research and develop different ways to grow the business, and also, acting as a “critical friend” to constructively challenge her where appropriate.

Chris Butler said,

“The more I do this job the more I’m convinced that, with passion, hard work and staying power anybody can create a successful business. Teri has those attributes in abundance”

Two years since her first initial Five Lamps appointment, Teri’s business is growing from strength to strength, she has worked hard to continue to overcome any challenges and each day is learning and growing. She has moved from her home office in her garage into new premises and is now looking to expand her business further by employing two members of staff.

As well as watches Teri has now expanded her business by creating ‘inspiration bracelets’ in support of mental health, the bracelets are rose gold and each bracelet has a unique inspirational quote, which offer a reminder to the wearer that they are loved and to never give up.

Teri has also secured funding from an angel investor which will help her to continue to grow her business.

Teri said;

“Without five lamps my journey with Ellington Timepiece may have not existed. Chris was very supportive, and he gave me so much advice, help and guidance to be where I am today. I still remain in contact with Chris. If there is anyone looking to start a business, then my first advice is to seek funding and guidance with Five Lamps”

To find out more about Ellington Time Pieces, please visit, https://www.ellingtontimepiece.com/

Emily Czupun and Ian Coates started up their PRO PET SERVICES business based in Thornaby in September 2019 and since then their business has been extremely busy.

PRO PET provides dog training, dog transport and dog walking services.

For the last ten years Emily has worked in the animal care sector and is qualified in animal management and Ian is ex-forces, a qualified mechanic, and in his spare time he works with gundogs on moorland estates. Emily and Ian had been talking about setting up their own business for quite a while but were a bit hesitant about how to go about it, where to get advice, and whether to take the plunge.

Back in mid-2019 Emily was managing a dog services franchise but was becoming increasingly disenchanted with the quality of the service being offered, that she came to the realisation that running their own operation was the route to giving the best service in the area.

After a few more conversations, they decided to move ahead and start their own business; where they contacted the Job Centre for further advice. The Job Centre, referred them to Five Lamps where they met Five Lamps, Business Advisor Simon Coe.

Both Emily and Ian were first to admit to Simon, that although they were fully confident in their experience and skills working with dogs, including Blue their border collie pictured above, they had a fairly sketchy idea of the key issues around setting up and running their own small business.

Over the next couple of months, through the Five Lamps New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) and Business Compass Start-Up 2 (BCSU2) contracts, they attended training workshops covering a wide range of issues relating to self-employment backed up by one to one sessions to develop their idea into a business plan, marketing plan and cash flow.

Although the workshops covered a range of information on starting a business, the follow up one to one session’s were invaluable in helping them to translate that knowledge into the specific actions needed for their own business.

Simon helped them through the process of registering as self-employed with HMRC and in September 2019 they started trading. As part of both the NEA and BCSU2 programme, Five Lamps will continue to provide support to Emily and Ian for a minimum of 12months, with help around tax returns, sustaining and growing their business.

The first couple of months have been both, very busy, and very satisfying with a fairly steep learning curve. In particular their dog transport and dog training services are growing considerably faster than they originally projected.

Emily and Ian are clear that

“Without Five Lamps behind us it would have taken us significantly longer to get started. That support and the framework of the NEA and BCSU2 programmes gave us the confidence to jump in.”

Business Compass Start-up 2 is a regional enterprise start up project that is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.  This is a business start-up project being delivered across Tees Valley to assist potential entrepreneurs to become enterprise-ready and ultimately self-employed. The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

For more information on Pro Pet services, please visit – https://www.facebook.com/Pro-Pet-services-449231335899641/

Having spent five years studying Sports and Exercise Science at Teesside University and being awarded a 1st class Honours degree, Middlesbrough based Rose decided to start up her own mobile personal training business.

Being passionate about the benefits of fitness and health, the idea of being self employed combined, the job satisfaction coming from seeing her clients progress, with the flexibility to schedule her work alongside her other commitments.

Rose got in touch with Five Lamps in mid-2018 and had an initial meeting with Chris Butler, one of the Five Lamps Enterprise Advisors, where they discussed her business model, the help she thought she might need and what Five Lamps could offer as part of their ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and NEA (New Enterprise Allowance) contracts.

These contracts gave her free access to training workshops with additional one to one support to develop her initial ideas into a clear business plan to take forward and one to one support from a Business Advisor.

As Rose had family members who were self employed she had a reasonable working knowledge of the main issues around setting up and managing a business but she was less sure about financial and legislation type areas such as tax, insurance, VAT, company structures etc.

Over the coming few weeks she worked with Chris Butler, to investigate all of these issues and incorporate that knowledge into her business plan, cash flow and systems for managing her business.

The NEA (New Enterprise Allowance) programme includes ongoing support from start up to the end of the first year and so Rose continued to work with Chris during her first year on her, marketing, books and tax return.

Despite some early minor hiccups that most new businesses experience, nearly one year on Rose’s client base is growing steadily and they, and she, are seeing clear results from her approach to personal training which uses Science based practice in a supportive environment to encourage and help her customers to achieve their personal goals.

Rose is very keen to contribute to the wider local community and has donated raffle prizes and free sessions to a number of local charities including, Zoe’s Hospice, Epilepsy charities and St. Francis School, with more planned over the coming months.

Rose said

“Some teething troubles were to be expected but having Five Lamps support there gave me the confidence and believe in myself and my business. Now one year down the line, things are going really well and I’m even more convinced that starting my own business was the correct decision.”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Five Lamps are a Delivery Partner within the Business Compass Start Up 2 project. This is a business startup project being delivered across Tees Valley to assist potential entrepreneurs to become enterprise ready and ultimately self-employed. This is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

To find out more about starting a business, please speak to Five Lamps Enterprise team on, 01642 608316.

Rose can be contacted on Facebook- @twrpersonaltraining, Instagram- @twrpersonaltraining or by visiting her website- www.twrpersonaltraining.co.uk 

Ewa Sikora from Stockton, first contacted Five Lamps in the middle of 2018 with an idea for opening a mobile food van selling, not only, a range of traditional sandwiches, burgers and drinks but also her speciality grilled Polish sausages.

Ewa was taught by her mother in her native Poland and has always had a passion for cooking, which she is now passing on to her daughter.

She explained that when she first approached Five Lamps she had no real idea of how to go about setting up or running a business.

As part of Five Lamps ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and NEA (New Enterprise Allowance) contracts, she worked with Simon Coe and Chris Butler, Five Lamps, Business Advisors, to combine training workshops with one to one support to develop her initial ideas into a clear business plan.

Towards the end of 2018 she completed her business plan and cash flow under the New Enterprise Allowance programme and started trading in the December.

The NEA programme includes ongoing support from start up to the end of the first year of trading and so Ewa has had a number of sessions with Five Lamps Business Advisor, Chris Buter, working on her, marketing, menu, books and tax return.

Initially when starting her business, Ewa pitched her food van on Portrack Lane in Stockton and after six months of trading she moved on to a pitch in Billingham which is an excellent location with lots of passing trade and regular customers.

Things are going really well and her ambition is in time, to expand by having additional vans and locations with other family members coming in to the business to help grow it.

Ewa recently said “Five Lamps helped me a great deal in taking my initial idea into a reality which I am really enjoying. I would certainly recommend anyone to speak to Five Lamps if they wanted to find out more about being self-employed”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Five Lamps are a Delivery Partner within the Business Compass Start Up 2 project. This is a business startup project being delivered across Tees Valley to assist potential entrepreneurs to become enterprise ready and ultimately self-employed. This is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

To find out more about starting a business, please speak to Five Lamps Enterprise team on, 01642 608316.

Daniel, who lives in Billingham, was referred to Five Lamps Enterprise team by Jane Metcalfe from Stockton Council Learning & Skills after he had expressed an interest in becoming self-employed.

Upon completion of the Youth Employment Initiative Pathways Programme with Learning and Skills Daniel, decided that he would like to start his own gardening business, as he had recently become a new Father and the flexibility with self-employment would help with his family life.

Daniel met with Tony Cummings, one of Five Lamps Enterprise Advisors, who works on the Youth Employment Initiative Routeways Programme and had an initial meeting to look at the pros and cons of becoming self-employed.

Tony then referred Daniel on to a two day funded workshop, gaining knowledge around marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, legislation and tax. He then worked intensively with Daniel over a 6 week period to produce a business plan and cash flow forecast.

The enquires for Daniel’s gardening service soon began to build up, however, to complete some of the bigger gardening jobs he required an industrial strimmer. Fortunately, through the Youth Employment Initiative Routeways programme, Five Lamps were able to support Daniel to purchase a strimmer, which has helped him build up more clientele.

To find out more about Daniel’s business, DCB Gardening Services can be contacted on 07525 853634.

The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways programmes form part of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). This is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.

The program aims to support young people across the Tees Valley aged 15-29 who are unemployed and/or not in education, employment or training until the end of July 2020.

Joanna is a fully qualified dog groomer who lives in Billingham. Using her qualifications, skills and passion for dogs she decided to start her own fully-serviced dog grooming business and contacted Five Lamps Enterprise team for more advice.

Five Lamps, Business Advisor, Simon Coe worked with Joanna through the DWPs New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) contract. The support included help and support to write her business plan and make her self-employment plans a reality.

After Joanna’s hard work and dedication, she was able to open her dog grooming business in February 2019. Since opening, the business has been thriving. There are a number of new customers visiting the business each week and her exceptional service has meant customers have booked in for returning visits.

Joanna said;

“Five lamps have helped me from day one with how to go about starting and running a business.  The courses and advice they gave me helped me on my way and now I have successfully started my own business.”

Doggie Chops dog grooming is a newly opened business in Billingham, they can be contacted on Facebook or by telephoning – 07784754362.

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support. DWP’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme provides weekly payments of £65 per week for 13 weeks followed by £35 per week for 13 weeks when they commence trading.

Kireina Massage and Beauty

Kireina, which means beauty in Japanese, is a newly opened beauty salon in Billingham.

Suzanne Heslop has over six years’ experience as a beautician and has also worked in a luxury spa offering beauty treatments including massages, using various beauty products including Temple Spa and Elemis.

She approached Five Lamps, as she decided to use her experience, skills, knowledge and excellent customer care to open her own professional beauty service, within James Edward Hair and Beauty Salon in Billingham.

Whilst working with Five Lamps, Suzanne completed a two-day funded business skills workshop which gives an insight into self-employment and how to start-up your own business. She then worked intensively with her Business Advisor, Simon Coe, through the Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways programmes, to create her Business Plan, attract funding for her start-up materials and develop her marketing strategy.

Due to all her hard work and determination, the salon is now open and thriving; offering a number of affordable, luxurious beauty treatments, massages and make up services.

The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways programmes form part of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). This is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The program aims to support young people across the Tees Valley aged 15-29 who are unemployed and/or not in education, employment or training until the end of July 2022.

An Alarming Heritage

David & Michael Skinner, from Hartlepool, engaged with Five Lamps in April 2017 on the New Enterprise Allowance programme through Job Centre Plus.

Their business idea was to start their own Fire and Security alarm company, a path they had both first set out on in 2005 when they apprenticed for their father’s own alarm business.

Both have since gained years’ of experience in the sector, working for some of the most well-known firms in the region. But each held a dream of starting out on their own and doing it their own way.

Working with Five Lamps, David & Michael attended free business training workshops covering the essentials of; Business Planning, Customer Service, Pricing, Legalities and Bookkeeping to ensure they were up to date and had the greatest chances of success.

Working with their Five Lamps Business Coach, Simon Coe, and with a little help from their Father’s in depth knowledge, they drew up their own market research and business plan.

Now David and Michael have realised their ambition and have begun trading as SSS Fire & Security Ltd with a ‘burning’ ambition to be the best!

Of the support they received, David said:

“We’re very grateful for the help received from the team at Five Lamps. It’s given us more confidence and inspired us to go out there and make a success of it”

Michael also stated:

“It’s been a long held dream to start-up on our own and do things our own way. And do them the right way. The help and support from Five Lamps has made the journey much easier”

When asked if they’d recommend Five Lamps, both resoundingly said YES!

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Dominic Brown, 28 from Thornaby has worked in catering establishments since he was still at school and dreamt of running his own catering company.

With over 11 years’ experience of working as a chef, Dominic decided to put his idea to a reality and contact Five Lamps with his business idea.

His idea was to start trading from an over the counter outlet which will then expand with a mobile wood fired pizza oven in a converted horsebox and finally move into outside events catering for weddings and festivals.

Dominic began working with Carol Sanderson, Five Lamps Business Advisor who advised him that he qualified for the Tees Valley Pathways ‘Youth Employment Initiative’ (YEI) scheme which is available to anyone who lives in the Tees Valley aged between 15 and 29 who are not in, education, employment or training.

The scheme can provide support to access up to four training courses on the chosen business idea, support in writing a business plan, support for essential tools and equipment, Personal, Protective Equipment, a business stationery start up pack and also Public Liability Insurance.

Dominic’s hard work and determination over the process has now resulted in him trading as Cloud9, a Deli on 82 Skinner Street, Stockton-On- Tees, TS18 1EG, Tel 01642 810530, www.cloud9eventsuk.com. The deli serves delicious hot and cold food to eat in or take away and Dominic is now working on phase two of his business idea the mobile catering unit.

Dominic said;

“Both Carol and Thelma at Five Lamps helped me achieve my goal of setting up in business and hopefully it will go from strength to strength.”

The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways Projects support young people aged 15 to 29 years old across the Tees Valley who are unemployed or inactive to progress into education, employment, training and self-employment. The projects are part-funded by the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural & Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.

Victoria Kerry approached Five Lamps to help research her idea of running a hair and nail business from home.

Victoria known as Vicky is a Mum with two young sons who trained as a hairdresser previously but had been unable to find employment that would fit in with her childcare responsibilities.

Vicky’s idea was to convert an area of her home into a dedicated salon space but she had no way of funding the start-up costs for the business.

Five Lamps provide a two hour European funded (ERDF) Information and Guidance session to Tees Valley / Hartlepool residents who are interested in starting their own business.

During this session Vicky found that she qualified for funding under the Tees Valley Pathways ‘Youth Employment Initiative’ (YEI) scheme which is available to anyone aged between 15 and 29 who is not in, education, employment or training.

Vicky started working with Carol Sanderson, Five Lamps Business Advisor and began researching her idea and writing a business plan to secure funding. YEI funding can be used for training and business start-up costs, so Vicky was able to train and qualify as a nail technician and furnish and equip her home salon.

Vicky has now started trading and says;

“However can I thank Five Lamps! I would just like to tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done for me since the very first day I met Five Lamps and told them my business idea, they have been so kind and helpful to me when I wasn’t quite sure of something. The full team is amazing and I have learned so much, I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

Vicky Kerry Hair can be contacted via Facebook; @vickykerryhair

The Tees Valley Pathways & Routeways Youth Employment Initiative Programmes are part-funded by the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth programme in England.

Anthony Andrew has over 14 years’ experience as a barber. He has previously worked in Ibiza, across the North East of England and owned his own salon in Newquay.

When he returned back to the North East, he was offered the opportunity to open a salon on Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe.

To brush up on his business knowledge and explore the funding options available to him, Anthony attended Five Lamps’ European Development Funded (ERDF) ‘Switch into business’ workshop, designed to help anyone wanting to go into business and write a business plan.

After attending the workshop, Anthony decided to sign onto DWP’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme which provides weekly payments of £65 per week for 13 weeks followed by £35 per week for 13 weeks when they commence trading. This scheme also provides one to one support from a Five Lamps business advisor.

Anthony worked closely with Five Lamps Business Advisor, Simon Coe to research his idea and produce a business plan. Anthony was keen to start trading as soon as possible and with his hard work and dedication he began trading within a month.

Anthony’s business is a resounding success and he now has three members of staff, two of whom are family members. Ultimate Grooming specialises in all aspects of male grooming and also sells quality hair care products such as Reuzel.
Anthony said;

“I’ve been very happy with all the help I’ve had from Five Lamps. I’d recommend them to anyone!”

Ultimate Grooming can be contacted on 01642 90963 or by Facebook @ultimategrooming

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Ben Barnard approached Five Lamps in March 2016, to help support expansion of his business ‘Mossy Rock Limited’, which was set up in the current format in November 2015.

Mossy Rock offers a wide variety of Garden Maintenance packages, including Organic maintenance, Estate Garden care, plus installation & maintenance of external and internal garden spaces. Hard landscaping including design/installation of water features, patios, walls, fencing, laying of lawns and soft landscaping is also available.
Ben’s business is based in Thirsk and principally covers Teesside and North Yorkshire.

Ben produced a high quality Business Plan, and Five Lamps were able to agree a Start Up loan towards the purchase of additional equipment including a Flat- bed van; Ben also recruited an additional full time employee.

Five Lamps Enterprise Loan Officer Vince Rogers said,

“Ben’s enthusiasm for the business was apparent from the outset and because he was able to provide a strong Plan and responded quickly to any request for additional information we were able to obtain approval within a short timescale.”

Ben said of the Five Lamps service;

“The support received has transformed my business from a ‘one man band’ to a professional outfit able to take a wider variety of work.”

‘Ben/Mossy Rock Limited’ can be contacted on; 07729439410 or via www.mossyrock.co.uk

Five Lamps is a Delivery Partner for Start Up Loans Company which offers government-backed personal loans for business purposes. The loans are available to businesses yet to launch or those that have already started trading. The Start Up Loans Company works with a network of Delivery Partner organisations. The partners support loan applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK.

Debbie Ross who is also known as Holly Holder has been an artist for the last 30 years, working on film and TV sets around the world as a make-up artist. In 2000, however, Holly’s life was transformed when she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa – a degenerative eye condition that would ultimately result in her losing her sight and being registered blind.

As Holly’s eyesight began to deteriorate she realised she needed to re-think her career and find another outlet for her creativity.

Having been visually orientated from an early age – Holly was always sketching and painting as a child and initially trained as a graphic designer – the conversion to canvas was a natural progression, giving her a way of expressing her thoughts and feelings and reflecting her new view of the world around her.

She developed a Business Plan with support from her network of industry contacts, and approached Five Lamps to help fund the venture. Approval for Start Up Loan support was quickly agreed and she moved into her business premises shortly afterwards.

October 2016 sees the launch of Holly’s first exhibition of her work as a painter at Art in the Mill, Knaresborough. Entitled Out of the Dark, the largely landscape works draw inspiration from the many places Holly has lived and traveled to, including her Yorkshire home in Harrogate. The Spanish coastal towns around Valencia in Spain – where Holly once lived and where her paternal grandmother was from – and Skye and Fife in Scotland, some of Holly’s favourite places due to their rich source of colour and light, are a particular source of inspiration.

Working from her studio in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, Holly’s work reflects both her experiences from her fully sighted days as well as her take on the world now. Being freed from detail, she now has a bigger perspective, seeing in colour and form – a metaphor for how she feels about life as a visually impaired artist – creating paintings filled with energy, colour and movement.

Using mixed media including watercolour, gouache and oil pastels (which feel very familiar to Holly, having a similar texture to greasepaint used on film and TV sets,) Holly’s work has fluidity, building multiple layers to create vibrant, textured works. Her post-impressionist style is influenced by Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh, drawing on both cubism and fauvism with heavy brush strokes and vibrant colours.

Five Lamps Enterprise Loan Officer Vince Rogers said,

“Debbie is so enthusiastic about her work and the manner in which she has responded to such a personal blow is truly inspirational. Her wide variety of work is stunning.”

Debbie said of the service received from Five Lamps;

“The application process was quite straight forward and I appreciated the help Five Lamps provided to develop my Business Plan & Sales forecasts. The support received has changed my life completely, as I would not have been able to go ahead with the project without this.”

‘Holly Holder’ can be contacted on; 07714243918 or via www.hollyholder.com

Five Lamps is a Delivery Partner for Start Up Loans Company which offers government-backed personal loans for business purposes. The loans are available to businesses yet to launch or those that have already started trading. The Start Up Loans Company works with a network of Delivery Partner organisations. The partners support loan applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK.

Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team are celebrating after successfully achieving the Customer First standard for the fourth time since 2010.The Enterprise team first achieved the standard back in 2010 and were thrilled to be re-accredited with the standard during their assessment on 19 July 2016.

The assessment includes three key milestones which are evaluated over 30 statements, the milestones are- customer relationship, market awareness and developing your people. The overall assessment enables the Assessor to identify the team’s strengths and any areas for continuous improvement.

From the assessment, Five Lamps were compliant with all 30 of the statements and there were no areas of development needed throughout the milestones.

Mike Wildey who undertook the assessment on behalf of Customer First UK Limited said

“Five Lamps continues to be an organisation that genuinely embraces the Customer First approach and deserves to be highlighted as an ‘exemplar’ for the Customer First standard’”

Organisations that have achieved the National Standard for Customer Service do so because they put their customers at the heart of everything they do. Leaders within these organisations are people with the vision to embrace the standard as a tool for continuous improvement in order to raise their competitive advantage within their sector.

Graeme Oram, Chief Executive of Five Lamps said

“We are delighted to secure further Customer First re-accreditation. The standard provides a strong foundation for our work with individuals from the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society and enables us to measure our social impact as well as supporting the continuous improvement of our services”

Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team supports over one thousand people into self-employment each year, providing high quality coaching and mentoring and a wide range of access to finance.

For more information about the Putting the Customer First framework visit www.customerfirst.org

Jordan left school with below average qualifications something he now regrets because he understands the importance of qualifications with reference to moving forward into a job/apprenticeship.

He was now keen to access training and because his brother had recently received support from a Five Lamps project to help him secure employment, Jordan decided to follow in his footsteps and contact Anne Rookes, Five Lamps Youth Employment Support Officer.

He met with Anne, and together they identified his career choice, this was working within construction or warehousing.

To start him on his career path, Jordan’s attend a 16 week training course with Learning Skills Centre Stockton; where he achieved his basic skills in Math and English and various aspects of moving in to employment.Jordan continued to engage with Five Lamps being support by Anne Rookes who offered one to one support working in partnership with Stockton Borough Council on the YES project (Youth Engagement Support). This project ceased in July 2015 at this point Jordan continued to engage, grateful for all the support provided.

Continuing moving forward Jordan started more relevant training with TRN Train in Middlesbrough, after an intensive 5 week course Jordan achieved a NVQ Level 1 in construction and Civil Engineering and his CSCS card including his Health & Safety award in a construction environment.

Jordan was continuing to be supported by Anne Rookes at Five Lamps and the YEI Project (Youth Employment Initiative) working in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council. Jordan made such a good impression with TRN Train he was recommended for an apprenticeship opportunity with Wearmouth Construction & Plan LTD. After a two week trial placement Jordan had secured a full time apprenticeship with the company.

Jordan said

“Without the support and one to one encouragement from Anne Rookes, I wouldn’t be in the position I find myself in today, thanks.”

Anne Rookes said;

“Jordan and I have travelled from A-Z in such a short time and I am so impressed with the road Jordan has travelled and the young man with great work ethic he has become.”

The Tees Valley Pathways and Routeways programmes form part of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). This is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.

The program aims to support young people across the Tees Valley aged 15-29 who are unemployed and/or not in educations, employment or training until the end of July 2018.

Jaime Kelly from Ingleby Barwick first came to Five Lamps in March 2016 asking for help and advice in setting up her business, ‘Jaime Kelly Hypnotherapy and Coaching’.

Hypnotherapy is used as a treatment for; anxiety, stress, confidence, phobias, smoking cessation, weight management, sleeping issues, IBS and panic attacks amongst others.

Her Mindfulness and Meditation coaching is in demand in Schools where she delivers group sessions. Here, she incorporates the practice of mindfulness along with visualisations, positive thinking, breathing techniques and affirmations. The sessions are focussed on empowering children so that they recognise that they are in control of their thoughts, emotions and behaviour.

Jaime is qualified and experienced in Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness therapies, but had never been self-employed. She had found ideal premises on Mill Wynd on Yarm High Street and went to Five Lamps for guidance and advice on starting up a business. She attended the ‘Is it for me?’ workshop and then met with Five Lamps, Business Advisor Ian Garforth throughout the preparation phase.

Ian provided her with advice on what preparation work was needed and how to do it, help with her Business Plan, and access to Five Lamps’ Start Up Loan’ to help with start-up costs. She also qualified for the New Enterprise Allowance programme which gives payments to new business start-ups for the first 26 weeks.

Jaime’s research soon showed that there was a healthy demand for her services and that her business idea was definitely viable. By July 2016, Jaime was ready to start trading. She is finding plenty of work and enjoying being her own boss and she has found the challenge rewarding.

Five Lamps Business advisor Ian Garforth said,

“Jaime has so much enthusiasm for her business that it is no wonder that customers want her services. The way Jaime explained the benefits of Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness helped me see how most people would benefit from these treatments.”

Jaime said of the Five Lamps service

“After being a full time mum to 3 boys I decided it was time to return back to work in a role that would fit around my family life. I knew I wanted to work with adults and children to help them overcome issues that they may be experiencing and by chance I saw a 10 month Hypnotherapy course advertised which I enrolled on. In June 2016 I qualified with a Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy and to further my skills I also trained with a children’s mindfulness company. Having never been self-employed, there were many things that I hadn’t even considered, so working with Ian at Five Lamps was really beneficial. Formulating the business plan helped me identify areas that I needed to give extra attention to and the financial benefit of the NEA took the burden away from the initial first months of trading.”

To find out more ‘Jaime Kelly Hypnotherapy and Coaching’ can be contacted on; 07734108820 or  by visiting her website.

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Uncle and nephew, Laurence and Paul Iley have over 50 years catering experience between them. When they both found themselves unemployed they decided it was time for them to start their own business rather than make a profit for someone else.

Laurence and Paul were introduced to Five Lamps business advisor Carol Sanderson through DWP’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme. This scheme provides weekly payments to support new businesses in the first 26 weeks of trading. Right from the start Carol was impressed with Laurence and Paul’s community spirit, one of their main objectives was to provide work experience for the unemployed.

After discounting various premises Laurence and Paul chose Hartlepool People’s Centre, Raby Road, Hartlepool, as the ideal location for their venture because it had unused kitchen facilities and is at the heart of a busy community.

Carol helped Laurence and Paul complete a business plan and they started trading as Loll’s Café in October 2015. Since then they have taken on 4 unemployed members of staff as part of DWP’s Work Experience scheme.

Laurence and Paul said;

“We work well with other people as we also do outside catering. We work well with DWP work experience and if the referred person does well with us we refer them on to other businesses to get them in to full or part time work, it gives them the opportunity to gain work experience. Five lamps are the best people to help you start up in business.”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

SSI Support Fund helps Carl Morgan make his dream a reality

It is fair to say that Thornaby man Carl Morgan, like many other ex SSI employees, has had a turbulent year. He has gone from an employed position with SSI then unemployed overnight, then to running his own business in a few months.

Carl launched ‘Carl Morgan Plumbing and Heating Services’ (07921829008) in February 2016 and he offers all Plumbing and Heating Services across Teesside.

Carl from Thornaby had 10 years’ experience as a Plumber but had never run his own business before so understandably, he felt apprehensive about it. He went to Five Lamps for some advice on starting his own business and met with Business Advisor Ian Garforth who helped Carl by providing one to one guidance and advice throughout the process on what preparation and research needed to be done and how to do it.

Carl was placed on the New Enterprise Allowance programme which is £1270 for people on JSA, Lone Parent income support or ESA who are looking to become self-employed. Ian also informed Carl about the Business Start-up Grant from the SSI Support Fund to help with start-up costs.

Five Lamps Business Advisor; Ian Garforth said

“Carl has been a pleasure to work with. Setting up a business is a big responsibility but Carl’s motivation and experience enabled him to research the market, find customers and organise everything else within 3 months. The way SSI employment came to an end must have been a big shock to all involved, but Carl has concentrated what needed to be done to pick himself straight back up and I admire him for that. With that level of determination and resilience and being so proactive, I’m confident that Carl will succeed with his business, and we at Five Lamps wish him all the best. Five Lamps are proud to be able to play a part in helping ex SSI employees and others start their own businesses and access financial help.”

Carl said of the experience

“Ian Garforth and the team at Five Lamps were a huge help in getting my business from an idea to reality with help and support in securing the government NEA (new enterprise allowance) support as well as the ex SSI employees grant. Ian helped me write a solid business plan and give me an insight into business advertising and planning.”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Five Lamps is celebrating after nominating Callum Murray for an award

Last night, Callum won the Young Microentrepreneur category at the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards ceremony held in Manchester.

This award recognises the success of an outstanding young entrepreneur who has benefited from the support of a responsible finance provider. This category emphasizes youth, creativity and innovation: an individual with vision and passion.

Callum won the award due to his use of social media; butchery expertise and aspiration which have made in just over a year, a real success of his business Yarm Butchers.  He was presented with a prize fund of £5,000.

Callum said:

“It’s a huge achievement for Yarm Butchers to win this award. The prize fund will help to support our plans for a delivery service, which we are hoping to start shortly. None of this would be possible without the support of my family, or the help and mentorship of Five Lamps, who supported me through the initial start-up phase of the business and who continue to provide advice. The shop would not be running if it wasn’t for our loyal customers continuing support”

Callum first approached Five Lamps in 2013 for help and advice to set up a butchers shop in Yarm. Despite his youth, Callum was an experienced Butcher and was looking to start up on his own. He knew it was a big step but had seen an opportunity in Yarm, as a long standing Butcher had recently closed and he had been the only one in the town.

Callum met with Ian Garforth and Deborah Shanley from the Five Lamps Enterprise team who gave him advice and guidance regarding market research, operational preparation and compilation of a business plan. Callum had other challenges like arranging the preparation of the premises, organising suppliers and marketing and staffing issues to arrange. He then applied for a Start-up Loan via Five Lamps which was approved.

He started trading as Yarm Butchers on Yarm High Street in March 2014 and has gone from strength to strength, winning Best Business in the prestigious and ultra-competitive Tees Valley Best New Business awards in February 2015 and now Young Microentrepreneur in the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards.

Graeme Oram, Chief Executive of Five Lamps said

“It is great that Callum has been recognised as a Young Microentrepreneur. Five Lamps is proud to be part of Yarm Butchers story and helping turn Callum’s dream of self-employment into a reality. Every year, Five Lamps helps to establish hundreds of businesses by supporting customers on their enterprise journey from enterprise coaching, mentoring, business planning and accessing finance for start-ups”

Five Lamps is the local Delivery Partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government – backed initiative aimed at ambitious individuals aged 18 and over who want to start up their own businesses.  Click here for more information.

Click here to visit Yarm Butchers website.

Michael is a qualified Permaculture designer who is passionate about sustainable and regenerative gardening

Permaculture is a design system to create sustainable and regenerative processes, in this case focused on agriculture within the community.

With this in mind he approached Middlesbrough Environment City who is partially funded by Middlesbrough Council to support him in his search for land to develop a permaculture site.

Their One Planet team were so impressed with Michael’s idea they offered him a 1/3 Acre site to develop a Community Allotment and Food Forest.

Michael was referred to Five Lamps through DWP’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme designed to financially support people who are on; Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support who are looking to start their own businesses.

Working with Carol Sanderson, Five Lamps Business Adviser, Michael completed a Community Interest Company (CIC) business plan and was approved for the scheme. The New Enterprise Allowance also offers free ongoing post start business support.

Michael is now developing the plot and has already set up a Veg Bag Scheme to sell local produce, he expects his first community gardener’s to be onsite in March 2016. This exciting initiative will also provide training courses to teach gardening skills from a permaculture prospective.

Michael said:

“The support I received from Five Lamps has been an invaluable part of the process and I would recommend them to anyone needing business support”

To find out more about Michael’s Community Allotment, Veg Bag scheme, Food Forest and training courses please visit

• the ‘Grown in Middlesbrough’ Facebook page
• email permacultivationCIC@gmail.com
• telephone 07964788147

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

When the closure of SSI was announced Dan and his business partner Mathew Switzer researched business support in the area and came along to Five Lamp’s “Is It for Me?” workshop

The workshop is designed to help people who are interested in exploring the possibility of starting their own business.

After the workshop Dan and Mathew attended one to one business advice sessions with Carol Sanderson, Five Lamps Business Adviser.

Neither Dan nor Mathew had any previous business experience but with support and guidance quickly carried out research into their idea and started work on a business plan.

Their research clearly identified a gap in the market for a LGV training provider in Teesside and a shortage of qualified LGV drivers. Dan and Mathew organised meetings with large organisations such as PD Ports, EMR Haulage and DWP and successfully lined up significant amounts of work.

With Carol’s help Cleveland LGV Training Ltd. finalised their Business Plan and applied for the Business Compass Start up Grant, a government grant available to ex-SSI employees and affected supply chain businesses. The business plan was submitted and their grant application was quickly approved.

Cleveland LGV Training Ltd. Is now going strong and even offers LGV training to ex-SSI employees referred to them by local Job Centre’s.

Dan and Mathew said

“From the first time we spoke to Carol she offered nothing but help, support and guidance. Carol was always there for us when we needed advice. Carol assisted us in preparing our business plan and helped us to the secure the funding that enabled us to start our business. We are now providing LGV training to our customers and are assisting many former SSI colleagues with re-training, allowing them to move into a new career in the haulage industry, where there is a large shortage of drivers”

UK Steel Enterprise, the business-support subsidiary of Tata Steel, is also backing the company with a £3,500 loan from its Regeneration Fund to help with initial start-up costs.

UKSE’s Sarah Thorpe said:

“Our Regeneration Fund helps to encourage new and early-stage businesses that are setting up in our steel areas when they can find it difficult to access finance. We were especially pleased to be able to help Mat and Dan who, as a former SSI employee, is using his redundancy payment and all the skills and experience he has acquired to start a business that already looks set to be a success”

Steve Ashman first came into Five Lamps in May 2015 asking for help in setting up a Licensed Coffee House on Yarm High Street, called Mint Hobo

Opening in December 2015, the coffee shop is now situated between Jules B ladies clothes shop and Osbourne’s Bar; Mint Hobo has a prime spot on the High Street.

It has late opening hours and a drinks licence, so it has a genuine difference to regular coffee shops. It serves high quality wines, spirits and beers plus locally sourced fresh light food (Paninis, sandwiches and cakes etc., some made in house).

Steve is a self-confessed coffee enthusiast and he has carried out extensive trials to perfect his blends of coffees and teas. The core values of this business are high quality products and a friendly and welcoming environment.

Having been employed as a Store Manager for a large supermarket for 20 years, Steve is very experienced in food retail, store management and customer service which would stand him in good stead for running his own business. Nevertheless, he had never run a business of his own and signing a High Street lease is a big commitment. Understandably then, he wanted to discuss options and ideas with someone, so went to see Five Lamps Business Advisor Ian Garforth for some one-to-one help.

He also had the support of his wife Claire, who worked tirelessly with him on this considerable project from idea to opening.

Steve was placed on the New Enterprise Allowance programme, which provides qualifying Business start-ups with some financial assistance and they discussed all aspects of business development including market research, staffing, refitting the premises, options around product range, advertising, and business plan compilation.

Five Lamps Business Advisor Ian Garforth said:

“Steve was a pleasure to work with. His management experience and local knowledge stood him in good stead, but a lot of hard work has gone into this Business. Steve looks at the detail and insists on the products being of the highest quality to cater for the discerning customer but without silly prices. This, plus the friendly atmosphere has resulted in Mint Hobo being a fantastic Coffee House. He was fortunate to be able to ask for help from his wife Claire, who has worked with Steve on this project from the start. Their attention to detail and passion shine through, especially when you taste the coffee!”

Steve said of the service he had from Five Lamps:

“Being unemployed for the first time after a fortunate 30 years work is daunting enough, couple with opening a business is scary. At a time when your confidence may be at its lowest you need to be at your most confident. I found Alison at the Job Centre helpful and Ian and his colleagues at Five Lamps priceless! I did a couple of courses which were helpful and then had 1 on 1 time with Ian to help get the business from idea to plan to opening. At a challenging time Five Lamps were in a position to what no one else could, listen, advise, steer and build confidence. Thanks from Claire and me. And if your passing please put us to the test”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Angela Rowley from Billingham had always had an ambition to own and run her own tanning salon

After having years of experience working in this field, when Angela inherited some money she took steps to put her idea into practice.

Angela contacted Five Lamps, to seek self-employment help and guidance, where she began working with Five Lamps Business Adviser; Carol Sanderson through the DWP’s New Enterprise Allowance Scheme. Carol helped Angela to write a business plan to enable her to qualify for New Enterprise Allowance which would provide £1270 over 26 weeks as a new business start-up.

Although Angela had some money to invest in her new business, it wasn’t enough to furnish and stock the salon, so Angela applied for a business loan through Five Lamps Start-Up Loan fund. Angela’s loan was approved and she is now the proud owner of Radiance Sunbed Salon, she has also employed one member of staff and rents out a room to a self-employed beauty therapist.

Angela said:

“My journey was more complicated than I expected and I would never have dealt with and overcome the problems I encountered without Carol’s advice and Support”

Five Lamps is the local Delivery Partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government – backed initiative aimed at ambitious individuals aged 18 and over who want to start up their own businesses.

Entrepreneur Dolly Martin has been self-employed since the age of 17; however eight years ago she contacted Five Lamps as she had begun an exciting new business adventure but she required funding in order for her business to grow

At the age of 17, Dolly who is an experienced dancer in all styles of dancing, opened up her first business venture where she was supplying dancers for; nightclubs, bars and hotels throughout the North East of England. In 2007, she decided to change her career and open up a dance studio; Sunderland Dance. The aim of setting up Sunderland Dance was to make dance and fitness accessible to all.

Sunderland Dance opened in February 2007 and by November 2007 it was a Community Interest Company. A community interest company (CIC) is a social enterprise which uses their profits and assets to ensure they are working for the benefit of the community.

In 2010 Dolly won the Best Social Enterprise award at the 11th Annual Women into the Network (WIN) Awards.

Sunderland Dance CIC quickly became popular and Dolly began to receive enquiries from all over the North East, especially in; Schools, community groups and young offender’s institutes. Dolly then decided it was time to expand her CIC to the whole of the North East. However, in order to do this she required some help with funding.

She contacted Five Lamps where she spoke to Bill Erskine, Director of Finance & Economic Development who supported Dolly with an Enterprise Loan for £15,000 towards the expansion of her business.

Through-out the years, North East Dance has continuously grown and expanded and Dolly has continued to work with Five Lamps and Bill Erskine, to ensure she has access to affordable business lending and she has also received help through the Regional Growth Fund with a loan of £50,000.

The Regional Growth Fund is a government backed scheme to support SMEs and social enterprises struggling to access high street bank lending. The aim of the funding is to help to create and safeguard jobs in the area, helping local businesses and the economy grow.

Dolly now employs five full time members of staff and 25 sessional staff who work all over the North East. As well as creating jobs within the North East, Dolly has also created ‘Dance on Prescription’ where people are prescribed dance classes as a replacement for medication to improve a person’s health and well-being.

Dolly also delivers educational programmes to schools which include; lunch time classes, theatre productions, after school classes and also a new initiative aimed at young people called “Dare to be…®” which helps raise awareness of 10 issues including; Racism, Bullying and Drug and Alcohol abuse.

The Business has grown from strength to strength and is continuously expanding in new areas, Dolly said:

“The support we have had from Five Lamps has been fabulous and invaluable for the company. It has inspired and encouraged us to feel confident with our plans for expansion in the future. Without this help we would have really struggled to develop the way we have. This has enabled us to extend our reach to beneficiaries and communities who are often excluded, isolated, disadvantaged or who suffer health inequalities and deprivation”

John applied direct to Five Lamps for a Start-Up Loan in January 2015, having formed Lean Six Sigma training company in the North East

Lean Six Sigma is a training company offering a methodology and tools/techniques for process improvement.

Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality output of process by identifying and removing the causes of defects (errors) and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes.

The company is an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) with IASSC and offers Internationally recognised certifications in Lean Six Sigma at three levels ; Yellow Belt, Green Belt and Black Belt.

John has more than 20 years working in this field and on process improvement teams and as a Project Manager for major corporations in the USA, Australia and Panama.

His enthusiasm for the business was evident during the application process and with support from his mentor; Vince Rogers at Five Lamps, John produced a robust Business Plan accompanied by sensible sales projections enabling the Loan Panel to approve his request.

The loan was drawn down in February 2015, and John’s business continues to progress, with online exposure within the sector and demand for classes in Switzerland and Northern England. His website testimonials include ‘Professional/an expert in his subject/very engaging/practical examples used’.

Having observed one of his ‘taster’ sessions, Vince Rogers, Enterprise Loan Officer at Five Lamps, can confirm his passion for both the subject and desire to assist his students, and would not hesitate to recommend his courses.

John said:

“Five Lamps were timely and responsive to my initial application, and I was offered a loan amount that matched my needs, however Five Lamps were careful that the repayments would not be a burden on the business. My Loan Officer, Vince Rogers could not have been more helpful.”

Five Lamps is the local Delivery Partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government – backed initiative aimed at ambitious individuals aged 18 and over who want to start up their own businesses.

To find out more about Lean Six Sigma, visit; www.lean6sigmatraining.co.uk/

Bradley Newlove from Stockton-On-Tees came to Five Lamps in February 2015, for help in developing his business idea for a Car Detailing and Valeting business

He had experience in this field but he had been unemployed for a while and had never ran his own business, so understandably, he was feeling daunted by the prospect.

He met with Business Advisor Ian Garforth from the Five Lamps Enterprise team who gave him free one to one guidance, support and advice over a period of four months, and informed him that, as he was on JSA, he qualified for the New Enterprise Allowance programme which would pay him £1270 over 26 weeks as a new business start-up.

Ian also helped him access a grant from Shaw Trust to help with his advertising, equipment and insurances.

Following some networking, market research and having completed a Business Plan, Bradley felt more confident about the sustainability of this venture. He also attended Five Lamps’ ‘We Mean Business’ workshops which covered subjects like finding and keeping customers, how to maximise social media, planning the business and book keeping, self-assessment and tax.

Bradley started ‘Ultimate Detailing and Valeting’ based in Stockton in June 2015 and has had a good start with a healthy workflow from private customers and car dealerships. Ultimate Detailing and Valeting can be contacted on; 07906241996.

Of the service he received, Brad said:

“Ian helped me so much to get my business started. He was so patient with me and I got there in the end. I am still learning as I go on but I would never have got my business started if it was not for Ian and my partner who believed in me. In the future I hope to have my own premises for detailing the best cars”

Business Advisor Ian Garforth said:

“In a tough economic environment, Car detailing is a difficult business to establish as it can be seen as a luxury service, but Brad has worked very hard to find customers through extensive social media work, word of mouth and cold calling car dealers to develop a steady workflow. I have personally used Brad’s detailing service. He used top quality products and the results were amazing and great value too. My car looks like new now and he did all this at my workplace. No wonder Brad has plenty of customers, it’s a brilliant service!”

Ultimate Dealing and Valeting can be contacted on; 07906241996 or by Facebook ‘Ultimate Detailing and Valeting’ which has photos of some of Bradleys excellent work.

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Mark Bishop from Stockton came to Five Lamps in February 2015 for help in developing his business idea for a Domestic Energy Assessor and Green Deal Advisor business which he has called ‘Professional Energy Assessors’

Mark had been employed in Senior Management positions and was well qualified as an Energy Assessor and Green Deal Advisor, but had never run his own business so he went to Five Lamps for advice. He met with Business Advisor Ian Garforth from the Five Lamps Enterprise team who gave him one to one guidance, support and advice over a period of two months.

He also informed him that, as he was on Job Seekers Allowance, he qualified for the New Enterprise Allowance programme which would pay him £1270 over 26 weeks as a new business start-up.

Following some thorough preparation work, market research and having completed a Business Plan. Mark found that with the right connections and networking there was a strong demand for this cost saving, eco-friendly, mobile service from both private and commercial customers, therefore felt confident about the sustainability of ‘Bishop Energy Assessments’.

He also attended Five Lamps’ ‘We Mean Business’ workshops which covered subjects like finding and keeping customers, how to maximise social media potential, planning the business, book keeping, self-assessment and tax which reassured him about the management and sales side of his business.

Mark started ‘Professional Energy Assessors’ based in Stockton two months after his initial enquiry and has had a good start with a healthy workflow.

His advisor, Ian Garforth said:

“Mark was fantastic to work with. He has a friendly character and was very pro-active with his preparation and was determined throughout. He had already acknowledged the importance of good networking and these contacts quickly gave him confidence in this venture. Mark has a very customer focused attitude which I’m sure will help him to succeed in business and the services he offers are cost saving and environmentally friendly”

Of the service he received, Mark said:

“The mentoring program through Five Lamps was seamless with seminars on the use of social media to market and promote your business, how to complete your Tax return for self-assessment and practice advice and structure on how to produce a business plan – it made the whole process of becoming self-employed very simple and straight forward – highly recommend to everyone regardless of previous experience”

Professional Energy Assessors’ can be contacted on; 07500202055.

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Bernard Chirumarara from Thornaby came to Five Lamps in February 2015 for help in developing his idea for a White Goods Repair business

Bernard had years of experience in this field, repairing and servicing cookers, dish washers, fridges, washing machines and tumble driers, but had never ran his own business so contacted Five Lamps for advice.

He met with Ian Garforth, Five Lamps Business Advisor who gave him; one to one guidance, support and advice over a period of three months. He also informed him that, as he was on Job Seekers Allowance. He qualified for the New Enterprise Allowance programme which would pay him £1270 over 26 weeks as a new business start-up.

Following some thorough preparation work, market research and having completed a Business Plan, Bernard found that there was a strong demand for this cost saving, eco-friendly, mobile service and therefore felt confident about the sustainability of ‘Appliances Care’.

He attended Five Lamps’ ‘We Mean Business’ workshops which covered subjects like finding and keeping customers, how to maximise social media potential, planning the business, book keeping, self-assessment and tax which reassured him about the management and sales side of his business.

Bernard started ‘Appliances Care’ (078493 38992) based in Thornaby three months after his initial enquiry and has had a good start with a healthy workflow.

His Business Advisor, Ian Garforth said:

“Bernard was a pleasure to work with. He was very pro-active with his preparation and was determined throughout. He has a very cheerful character which I’m sure will help him to succeed in business and the white goods repairs services he offers are cost saving and environmentally friendly”

Of the service he received, Bernard said:

“Doubts and scared were the main issues before coming to Five Lamps and meeting my Business Advisor Ian Garforth. Starting a new business is a scary journey, as you would expect hurdles on the way but with the help I got from Ian Garforth and Five Lamps, everything was flowing smoothly. I wouldn’t wish for a better advisor than Ian as he was guiding me all the way from my business plan, ideas, in fact every step I would doubt I would consult him and in return will get the expected help. Also the workshops were very useful in particular, ‘is it for me’, ‘Finding & Keeping customers’ and Social media marketing. I am still to attend more workshops like Managing money and making a profit. Thank you Ian & Five Lamps, you changed my life”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Mick Levett from Thornaby came to Five Lamps in February 2015 for help in developing his business idea for a Gardening and Handyman business

Mick had experience in this field but had never run his own business and was slightly daunted by the prospect.

He met with Ian Garforth, Five Lamps Business Coach, who gave him one to one guidance, support and advice over a period of two months. He also informed him that, as he was on Job Seekers Allowance he qualified for the New Enterprise Allowance programme which would pay him £1270 over 26 weeks as a new business start-up.

He was also able to obtain a New Enterprise Start up Loan via Five Lamps to help with his advertising, tools and insurances.

Following some thorough preparation work, market research and having completed a Business Plan, Mick felt confident about the sustainability of this venture. He also attended Five Lamps’ ‘We Mean Business’ workshops which covered subjects like finding and keeping customers, how to maximise social media, planning the business and book keeping, self-assessment and tax.

Mick started ‘Levett’s Garden and Handyman Service’ based in Thornaby two months after his initial enquiry and has had a good start with a healthy workflow.

From the service he received, he said:

“I thoroughly recommend that if you have an idea/plan and want to work for yourself ’go for it’. I wish I had done it years ago and with the help you receive from Five Lamps it’s easier than you think! Five Lamps promotes and delivers a very good service and I’m very satisfied how I’ve been looked after. I can’t praise staff, in particular Ian Garforth, enough!”

The New Enterprise Allowance is a DWP contract for people on Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or lone parent income support.

Callum Murray, 25, came to Five Lamps in 2013 for help and advice to set up a Butchers shop in Yarm

Despite his youth, Callum was an experienced Butcher and was now looking to start up on his own. He knew it was a big step but had seen an opportunity in Yarm, as a long standing Butcher had recently closed and he had been the only one in the town.

Callum met with Ian Garforth and Deborah Shanley from the Five Lamps Enterprise team who gave him advice and guidance regarding market research, operational preparation and compilation of a business plan. Callum had other challenges like arranging the preparation of the premises, organising suppliers and marketing and staffing issues to arrange. He then applied for a Start-up Loan via Five Lamps which was approved.

He started trading as Yarm Butchers on Yarm High Street in March 2014. After a strong start, Callum was awarded Best Business in the prestigious and ultra-competitive Tees Valley Best New Business awards in February 2015.

Advisor Ian Garforth said ‘Callum was great to work with as he has put his heart and soul into this venture and has shown determination, creativity and panache. He has done a fantastic job in an area where customers want top quality produce. His shop is really well presented and he is a big hit with the locals in Yarm, providing top quality regular meats and game sourced locally but also exotics like Wild Boar, Ostrich, Kangaroo and Crocodile. He also sells some cooking kits, prepared options, hampers and fresh fruit and veg. His website is also excellent with cooking tips, online ordering and information on his award winning meats (some awarded 3 Gold stars at the ‘Great Taste Awards’) and why they are superior. That’s how to reel customers in! I wasn’t at all surprised when he won the prestigious ‘Best New Business’ award.’

Of the service he had received from Five Lamps, Callum said:

“When I first approached Ian and Five Lamps in 2013, I didn’t understand the background of starting your own business, but Five Lamps and the team put together workshops and meetings for people like me to attend. This helped me understand the fundamentals of running your own business. I have a huge amount of respect for the staff at Five Lamps as they are very dedicated to helping people like me. Ian and Deborah showed a lot of interest in my business idea which keeps me motivated. If it wasn’t for Five Lamps I wouldn’t have this business”

Five Lamps is the local Delivery Partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government – backed initiative aimed at ambitious individuals aged 18 and over who want to start up their own businesses.

Adrian Alderson and wife Janette first came to Five Lamps in October 2014, looking for some advice and guidance to help them set up a business delivering Martial Arts training to children and adults

Adrian had 20 years’ plus experience from running a Martial Arts club in Stockton which had outgrown the community centre base and he now had the chance to fulfil a dream and start his own business.

Adrian and Janette met Business Advisor Ian Garforth at Five Lamps. Ian gave them advice on market research, advertising and Business Plan completion and helped with the application process for a loan through the Start-up Loan Fund. They also attended some of the ‘We mean Business’ workshops at Five Lamps.

The application for the Start-up loan was approved and within two months, Adrian was in his premises delivering Martial Arts classes!

They have named their Martial Arts Business ‘Black Dragon Kickboxing and Martial Art Academy’, located in a Dojo on Preston Farm.

Advisor Ian Garforth said

“Adrian and Janette were a pleasure to work with. They were very motivated and pro-active in their preparation work and showed that preparing a business can be done properly in a fairly short timeframe if you are dogged and work hard at it. Since they started in November 2014, I have taken my boys there and they have been going at every opportunity since! The standard of Black Dragonzs tuition is very high and gives a perfect balance of quality focused training which is goal based, but it is also friendly and welcoming to people of varying abilities. My boys have made good progress already and the facilities there are excellent. It’s also great value for money”

From the help Adrian and Janette received from Five Lamps they said ‘we wanted to progress quickly as we had found ideal premises and we were assisted in presenting our application very efficiently. Ian always found the time to see us and spend time helping us plan.

About their experience running a business, they said:

“We have had to learn to put all of our ideas into practise and we are very pleased with the environment for learning this has created. We know there is ongoing support at Five Lamps if we need it and we are expanding with new ideas all the time to grow the business and develop the members”

Five Lamps is the local Delivery Partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government – backed initiative aimed at ambitious individuals aged 18 and over who want to start up their own businesses.

Lyndsey Morgan from Norton first came to Five Lamps in September 2014 asking for help and advice in starting her own business named ‘Lyndsey Morgan Make Up and Fitness’

The Fitness Training side is aimed at both adults and children. She offers one to one and group sessions to adults, and she provides local children with Superstar strength, Animal Magic Yoga, Primary Pilates and Choreography sessions. As well as fitness Lyndsey also offers a mobile make up and styling service.

Having been employed in these sectors before, Lyndsey had lots of experience and felt confident about the work and her motivation to make a success of it is clear to see. However, she had never ran her own business and understandably, was slightly apprehensive about the prospect.

Five Lamps Enterprise Coach, Ian Garforth gave Lyndsey one to one help, advice and guidance. He met with her throughout the preparation phase and placed her on the New Enterprise Allowance programme, which provided her with mentoring advice, help with her Business Plan and some financial assistance post start up.

Following some thorough market research and operational preparation work, Lyndsey saw that there was a healthy demand for her services and that her business idea was definitely viable.

She attended some of Five Lamps’ ‘We mean Business’ workshops which cover 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.

Lyndsey was ready to start trading in September 2014, less than a month since she first came into Five Lamps! Ian Garforth said:

“It was a pleasure working with Lyndsey as she was so pro-active with her research and preparation work and very thorough. I think customers see her positive attitude and confidence and want to work with her”

Two months after start up, Lyndsey’s hard work is paying off. She is finding plenty of work and enjoying being her own boss and she has found the challenge rewarding.

Lyndsey said:

“Five Lamps meant that I could confidently begin working as a sole trader – something I had always wanted to do but never felt that I was supported enough to feel confident in this venture. They provided this support and much needed guidance, advice and a friendly contact just to clear up any queries I had. My mentor Ian was excellent and encouraged me throughout the process providing essential information and regular email contact which was great. The different elements to my areas of business are all going well and I really appreciate the guidance given and feel it was the best thing I could have done. I recommend Five Lamps to anyone else who is seriously wanting to go self-employed but just needs a helping hand”

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.

Matt Willmers from Yarm came to Five Lamps in April 2014 for help in developing his business idea for a Security Alarm installation business

Matt had experience in this field but had never been self-employed and was slightly daunted by the prospect.

Ian Garforth Five Lamps Enterprise Coach gave Matt one to one guidance, support and advice over a period of two months.

He also informed Matt that because he was currently claiming Job Seekers Allowance, he qualified for the New Enterprise Allowance programme which would pay him £1270 over 26 weeks as a new business start-up.

Following some thorough preparation work, market research and having completed a Business Plan, Matt felt confident about the sustainability of this venture. He also attended Five Lamps’ ‘We Mean Business’ workshops which covered subjects like finding and keeping customers, how to maximise social media, planning the business, book keeping, self-assessment and tax.

Matt started ‘Be Alarmed’ two months after his initial enquiry and has had a good start with a healthy workflow.

Matt said:

“The support and advice provided by Five Lamps was exactly what I needed in order to give me the confidence that going self-employed can work! I was provided with expert advice by my mentor Ian Garforth, from the start right to the very end. From Ian’s support in conjunction with attending the workshops I could then develop my business idea & implement the information provided and knowledge gained in order to form the starting blocks for my business strategy”

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.

Louise Hudson, 31, from Newcastle upon Tyne approached Five Lamps in May this year seeking support to set up a child minding business, ‘Bee Happy Childminding’

With a passion for setting up her own business in this segment and having completed personal research on starting and running a successful business, Louise wrote a business plan strong enough to secure funding for her start-up costs from the Government backed initiative- Start-Up Loan Fund.

The loan was agreed in June 2014 and her business is doing well. She has regular contact with Vince Rogers, Enterprise Loan Officer at Five Lamps who provides free mentoring support as required.

Louise said:

‘The loan has helped me so much – it has enabled me to brand my vehicle and advertise. The process was very easy and I have great support – I can’t thank Five Lamps enough’.

Five Lamps is the local Delivery Partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government – backed initiative aimed at ambitious individuals aged 18 and over who want to start up their own businesses.

Robert Harbottle first came into Five Lamps in April 2014 asking for help and advice in setting up his design, technical drawing, draughting and 2d/3d modelling business named ‘Eisenhorn Studio’

Having been employed in this sector for many years, Robert had never run a business and understandably, was slightly apprehensive about the prospect.

He first attended Five Lamps’ enterprise workshop, ‘Is it for me?’ which covers the challenges and pros and cons of being self-employed. Robert was also supported with one to one help, advice and guidance meetings with Ian Garforth, Enterprise Coach at Five Lamps.

Robert was placed on the New Enterprise Allowance programme, which provides job seekers with some financial assistance post start up.

Following some market research and operational preparation work, Robert saw that there was a healthy demand for his services and that his business idea was definitely viable. He attended 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, finding premises, Tax, NI and self-assessment.

Robert said of the service:

“Going to Five lamps was the best start I could give to my business. Their courses are designed to furnish you with all the relevant information you need to get your business started and make it a success. Starting self-employment is daunting; there are a lot of unknowns. Ian, my mentor was fantastic. Having someone there to give support, bounce ideas off and give honest and relevant advice helped build my confidence and gave me the courage to go for it”

Robert was ready to start in June 2014 and signed off Job Seekers Allowance.

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.

Lorraine Illingworth from Stockton first came to Five Lamps in July 2013 looking for guidance, support and advice in setting up a Domestic Energy Assessment Business which she has called EPC’S North East

Lorraine was experienced in this field but found herself temporarily unemployed and had never been self-employed.

She attended one to one meetings with Ian Garforth, Enterprise Coach at Five Lamps, where she was given advice and guidance on all aspects of running a business from market research and operational prep work to funding and business planning. This helped her to gain the confidence and knowledge she needed to run her own Business.

Having carried out thorough market research and with her qualifications and experience in this field over the last year, she now felt confident that there was a strong demand for her service, and that she was creating a sustainable business. She was placed on the New Enterprise Allowance programme which gave her some financial help post start up and she started trading January 2014.

Lorraine said

“The thought of going self-employed was very daunting as I didn’t know what to do, but after my first interview with Ian I felt more confident and I was shown how to do my accounts. I have been trading for 6 months now and the business is picking up, from internet appointments to word of mouth from previous customers. Thank you Five Lamps’’

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.

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.

Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team are celebrating after successfully achieving the Customer First standard for the third time

The Team successfully first achieved the standard back in 2010 and were thrilled to be reaccredited with the standard during their assessment on 10 July 2014.

During the assessment, Five Lamps’ enterprise services were evaluated against 30 statements under three key criteria. The criteria – customer relationship, market awareness and people – enabled the Assessor to identify our strengths and any areas for continuous improvement.

Mike Wildey who undertook the assessment on behalf of Customer First UK Limited said

“Five Lamps continues to be an organisation that genuinely embraces the Customer First approach and deserves to be highlighted as an ‘exemplar’ for the Customer First standard’”

Organisations that have achieved the National Standard for Customer Service do so because they put their customers at the heart of everything they do. Leaders within these organisations are people with the vision to embrace the standard as a tool for continuous improvement in order to raise their competitive advantage within their sector.

Graeme Oram, Chief Executive of Five Lamps said “

We are delighted to secure further Customer First reaccreditation. The standard provides a strong foundation for our work with individuals from the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society and enables us to measure our social impact as well as supporting the continuous improvement of our services”

Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team supports over one thousand people into self-employment each year, providing high quality coaching and mentoring and a wide range of access to finance.

Lesley Hetherington first came to see Chris Butler, Senior Business Development Officer at Five Lamps in July 2013 looking for some advice on opening a café based in Hartlepool railway station

With lots of customer experience in her career, Lesley was looking to take over this existing café and give it a new lease of life. The café is part of the station complex and has a history all of its own.
Chris helped her finalise her business plan, access the Job Centre’s New Enterprise Allowance program and get ready to start trading.

The café opened in early 2014 and since then Lesley has seen the number of previous and new customers grow steadily. When Chris called in at lunchtime recently Lesley was busy serving her regulars with lunches, sandwiches and drinks, all at very reasonable prices and with great customer service.

Lesley is happy to acknowledge that “

Working with Five Lamps was very useful in giving a second opinion on my business model as well as helping me through the NEA process”

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.

Andrew, 32 first came to Five Lamps in July 2013 looking for guidance, support and advice in setting up a Web design, Social Media management and Copywriting Business called Zodiac Digital Services

He attended workshops and one to one coaching sessions with Ian Garforth and Chris Butler from Five Lamps’ Enterprise team, which helped him gain the confidence and knowledge he needed to achieve his dream and run a business.

Andrew had never owned his own business and was unemployed for a short while prior to this, but having carried out thorough market research and with his experience of working in this industry and also as a Journalist over the last 10 years , he felt confident that he was creating a sustainable business. He also qualified for New Enterprise Allowance funding which helped him with start-up costs.

Andrew operates from home and meets his customers at a location of their convenience. He has found demand for his services are high, especially from business start-ups who can dramatically increase their online exposure to customers with Andrew’s help, all for very little outlay.

Andrew said

“The help I received from Five Lamps really has made a huge difference. My mentors gave me so much information and it was they who really gave me the confidence to believe that my business idea could turn into something real”

For more information on Zodiac Digital Services visit www.zodiacdigitalservices.com

David Hatch worked in the cleaning sector for over 10 years until he was made redundant; his friend Mark Blackburn was also unemployed and spent 18 months on DWP’s Work Programme

Both David and Mark were unhappy with the situation they found themselves in and came up with the idea of using David’s cleaning sector experience and contacts to start their own cleaning partnership.

David and Mark were advised by a family friend to contact Five Lamps and after attending the introductory ‘Is It For Me?’ workshop they made an appointment with Carol Sanderson, one of Five Lamps’ Enterprise Coaches. Carol’s role was to provide support and guidance to help David and Mark develop the skills they would need to run a successful partnership. To improve their understanding of business David and Mark also enrolled on the Five Lamps ‘We Mean Business’ workshop programme, which they successfully completed.

The main challenge for David and Mark was to find the money to buy a van and equipment. With the help of Carol, David and Mark completed a strong business plan and used it to raise the funds they needed. DWP provided a grant from their Flexible Support Fund and Deborah Shanley, Five Lamps’ Start Up Loan Fund Manager, recommended investment at a loan panel meeting.

The panel decided to invest and David and Mark were able to form a partnership and start trading as ‘Julies 24 Hr Cleaning Services’

The partnership, named after Marks sister and David’s Fiancé Julie has gone from strength to strength. They said

“When we had the idea for our business we were not sure we could make it happen until we contacted Five Lamps. We then met Carol who helped us immensely with our business idea. She enrolled us on money and customer care courses which gave us the confidence to pursue our idea and put our words into action. Now we have come a long way since we had the idea back in August 2013 when it was only a dream. We now have a work van, all of our equipment, a strong customer portfolio and work ethic. We really want to thank Carol, Deborah, Lesley Matthews and the rest of the team at Five Lamps. We would not be where we are today without their help and support”

After achieving a BA (Hons) Degree in Film and Video, Kim Blair spent 4 years building a successful career in marketing

During her maternity leave new mum Kim thought about her work life balance and decided it was time for a change. Kim wanted to return to her creative roots and become a self-employed makeup artist.

Leaving the security of a well-paid job for the challenges and financial risks of running a business is always a big step but with the support of her husband, family and friends Kim decided to research the possibilities.

As a vocalist with local band Lennox Kim had heard about Five Lamps. After looking at our website Kim organised an appointment with Enterprise Coach, Carol Sanderson to develop her business idea. Kim also successfully completed the Five Lamps “We Mean Business” workshop programme.

To be taken seriously as a makeup artist Kim needed the prestigious BABTAC Pro-Makeup Artist Certificate, at a cost of £2,000 plus travel and accommodation. Unable to afford the fees Kim was introduced to Deborah Shanley, Five Lamps Start up Loan Fund Manager. Impressed with Kim’s business plan and commitment to her idea, Deborah submitted her business plan to the Start-Up Loan panel who agreed to fund Kim’s business idea.

Kim is now fully qualified and started trading as Kim Blair MUA on 4 November 2013. You can see Kim’s impressive portfolio at Kim Blair MUA – Make up Artist on Facebook.

Jillian Anderson first came to Five Lamps in June 2012 after she was referred by Job Centre Plus

Jill had been unemployed for six months and had previously worked within the mental health sector for 24 years but had always wanted to start her own business.

Jill was supported by Carol Sanderson, Five Lamps’ Enterprise Coach who worked with her to develop her business and marketing strategy. Jill had a clear business idea to start her own holiday letting agency, initially starting with 1 holiday let and then expanding her portfolio.

Jill was also supported by Deborah Shanley, Five Lamps Business Development Officer under the New Enterprise Allowance Mentoring Scheme.

Jill had some personal funding which she used to purchase a stone built Grade 11 listed cottage in Pickering and was also supported with a New Enterprise Allowance Loan which provided a small weekly allowance for 3 months paid as a wage whilst the business was being developed.

Black Swan Cottage opened for business in June 2012. The business is going well with the cottage being fully booked over the summer and winter periods. The cottage has received excellent reviews which Jill has published on her website.

Jill says

“After deciding to purchase a cottage to run as a holiday let Five Lamps provided a wide range of advice and information to help me start my business. By helping me develop a business plan which made me focus on different aspects of the business both positive and negative, they helped me become aware of pitfalls and how to deal with various issues which may arise in order to develop a well run business.

I now have a thriving holiday cottage which is rarely empty, we get great reviews from our guests and many come back again and again.

I am grateful to Five Lamps for the help they gave me in the initial stages and found staff friendly and supportive”

For more information on Black Swan Cottage visit www.blackswancottagepickering.co.uk

If you would like further information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme then speak to your local Job Centre Adviser.

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps. Funding was also secured from the European Union, ERDF fund.

Leading Tees Valley enterprise agency Five Lamps has launched a new loan fund for businesses looking to grow. Loans of up to £50,000 are available, subject to business case

The first three loans made from the new fund have seen a total of £100,000 approved. These loans will create new jobs, provide essential working capital to enable business growth and enable a move into new premises.

Five Lamps’ Director of Finance & Economic Development, Bill Erskine, is confident that there will be considerable demand for the new fund. He said,

“Five Lamps works with over 1500 new and early-life businesses each year and we are aware of just how difficult it still is for these businesses to access the finance that they need to grow their business. This fund, resourced from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, supplements our existing New Enterprise Allowance Loans and Start-Up Loans services”

Five Lamps has recently been shortlisted in the Local Enterprise Agency of the Year category in the 2013 National Enterprise Network Awards.

This Regional Growth Fund programme is provided through the Community Development Finance Association. It provides loans to small, micro and social enterprises through the community finance sector. £30million of funding is provided by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, matched with a further £30 million by the Co-operative Bank and Unity Trust Bank.

Homeowners and private sector landlords in the North East are benefitting from Regional Growth Fund (RGF) investment to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and properties

Five Lamps, a member of the Community Development Finance Institution (CFDA) has provided a £30,000 RGF loan to Green Deal Products to increase their capacity to deliver a Green Deal service across the North East.

Founded in July 2011, Green Deal Products will deliver the Government’s Green Deal across the North East. Under the Green Deal, energy bill payers will be able to get energy efficiency improvements to their homes without having to front up the cash.

Tim Cantle-Jones, Green Deal Products Managing Director said

“We are delighted to have received the loan from Five Lamps which we will use specifically to set up a Green Deal Assessment service through which we would hope to employ up to 10 people over the next 2 years”

The first two Green Deal Assessors, Nick Mallon and Steve Howlett, qualified in September 2013. They will work with homeowners to undertake an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Home Assessment where they will collect basic consumer information and develop and construct a Green Deal Plan which will include a list of

Green Deal measures for the property. Once the plan has been checked and signed off by the consumer, the Assessors will work with the registered Green Deal Installers to begin the schedule of work on the property. After the work has been completed a new EPC will be granted to account for the new energy efficient measures installed.

Bill Erskine, Director of Finance & Economic Development at Five Lamps said,

“Five Lamps has created a range of access to finance products which benefit a broad range of entrepreneurs. It is still difficult for new and early-life businesses to access finance when they need it and we are able to provide loan finance from £1,000 to £50,000. We are thrilled to be able to support the vision and ambition of the team at Green Deal Products, with the first of our RGF loans”.

This Regional Growth Fund programme is provided through the Community Development Finance Association. It provides loans to small, micro and social enterprises through the community finance sector. £30million of funding is provided by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, matched with a further £30 million by the Co-operative Bank and Unity Trust Bank.

Zoe Angus first came to see Chris Butler, Senior Business Development Officer at Five Lamps in August 2012 looking for some advice on her idea of opening a shop in Middlesbrough

Zoe’s vision was to provide quality fashion clothing and accessories aimed primarily at plus size women and girls.

She had been working with other agencies but was looking for a second opinion plus help finalising her business plan and help applying for the New Enterprise Allowance program.

After a few weeks it became clear that, for all sorts of reasons, the Middlesbrough location might not be the best option so Zoe started to look closer to home in Hartlepool.

With Chris’s support Zoe approached Hartlepool Enterprise Centre at Brougham Terrace who helped her secure a six month rental on a stall in the indoor market hall in Middleton Grange shopping centre.

Her new business plan was based on this busy Hartlepool location and she started trading in late November 2012, in plenty of time for the Christmas period.

These first few months have been hectic as Zoe established her business, and started to win a regular base who love her clothes and accessories and tell their friends and families.

On the day that Chris visited her stall recently, despite the rain outside, Middleton Grange was very busy with shoppers and passing trade.

Zoe’s stall is in a great location and is the biggest in the market hall allowing her to display her great range of products to full advantage.

Zoe said

“Working with Five Lamps was very beneficial in giving me another source of help and a second opinion. I really valued their honest, objective advice”

If you would like further information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme then speak to your local Job Centre Adviser.

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps. Funding was also secured from the European Union, ERDF fund.

As a former member of the armed forces Mark Goggs found it hard to find work after life in the Army, even though he had good engineering skills and qualifications

Fearing he may struggle to keep up his mortgage repayments he decided to start up his own plastering business in order to survive. Over the next few years he built up his skills and now offers a range of services such as landscaping tiling, plastering, painting and decorating.

Starting a business initially was a daunting task so he approached Five Lamps for help, advice and guidance on starting up a business and becoming self-employed. Over the next few months Mark worked with a number of the Five Lamps team attending free business workshops and working one to one on his Business Plan.

In early 2010 he was ready to start out and having secured some funding, start trading as a plasterer steadily building up his customer base. 3 years on he has found that most of his work is now repeat custom or word of mouth recommendations.

Thornaby Plasterer Mark has always been interested in helping with other service initiatives, so in August 2012 an opportunity came along to take part in a TV program called Construction Squad (Operation Home Front), a Channel 5 program aimed at demonstrating the skills and abilities that ex-servicemen have to offer when they leave the Armed Forces.

Mark was initially tasked to build a 4ft disability access ramp from decking materials for a scout hut in Oxford. On arrival at the site the brief had changed in that a 20 meter ramp had to be made out of decking material. The time limit was two and a half days. A 40 hour working week was crammed into 2.5 days with just 12 hours rest, but the result and the looks on the scouts faces were worth every minute spent on the project.

After this initial project the Channel5 team were so happy with his work that he was invited back to help out with a further 3 projects, unfortunately due to work commitments he had to decline 1 of the projects.

The first project was aired on Channel 5 on Friday 30 August 2013 and is for a North East charity in Newcastle called Pathways 4 All. The second project Mark was involved in was based in Preston, rebuilding gardens for ex-service men suffering disability and post-traumatic stress, to aid in their recuperation. The third project was based in Oxford where a Scout hut (HQ) was demolished and rebuilt in just 5 days.

To find out more visit his website www.prestigeplasteringworld.co.uk or look up Prestige Plastering on facebook.

Ray and Alison McGovern made contact with Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team in October 2012 with an idea to open a thrift shop in Church Street, Hartlepool

The initial business model was based around sourcing and stocking second hand items such as domestic appliances, combined with the possibility of a limited range of products and goods made by local craft businesses.

Over the next few months, Chris Butler Senior Business Development Officer for Five Lamps helped Ray and Alison explore a number of Hartlepool premises to find a location that combined good footfall, accessible parking and an acceptable rent.

Chris also helped Ray and Alison to develop a strong business plan and secure funding through a New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) Loan. Towards the end of the year they decide on a shop on Raby Road in Hartlepool and moved in just after Christmas.

These first few months have been very busy with Ray and Alison combining, being in the shop serving customers, building relationships with local suppliers and dressing/refurbishing the retail area and stock rooms.

When Chris visited the shop in mid May 2013, Ray and Alison explained how the business model was now very different to the original concept with the shop now stocking a wide range of gifts and products mostly made by local artisans.

Ray and Alison say that

“Working with Five Lamps was very useful not only in helping us secure some funding but also as a second opinion on the strength of our business model”

If you would like further information on the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme then speak to your local Job Centre Adviser, or if you would like to know more about the loan available through the scheme, then please contact Five Lamps on (01642) 608316.

The NEA contract is delivered by Five Lamps. Funding was also secured from the European Union, ERDF fund.

Happily, married Lucy Mallam was a hard working teacher and mother who dreamt of opening her own bridal boutique

With a strong idea of the type of boutique she wanted, one specialising in pre-loved designer gowns at affordable prices, Lucy researched local Enterprise Agencies and contacted Five Lamps for advice and guidance to turn her dream into reality.

Lucy, 28 believed that the economic downturn and popularity of the vintage clothing trend removed the stigma of buying second hand clothing, particularly those that carry a designer label. Preferring the phrase pre-loved to second hand Lucy carried out extensive market research in the local area and found that popular opinion agreed with her. Lucy’s research also revealed strong demand for Prom dresses and Wedding Accessories.

Brimming with confidence that her idea would work Lucy attended business workshops and planning meetings with her Five Lamps advisor Deborah Shanley. Armed with enough knowledge on starting and running a successful business and with Deborah’s help Lucy was able to write a business plan strong enough to secure funding for her start-up costs from the Government Start-Up Loan Fund.

Lucy says

“Without help from Five Lamps and the Start Up Loan funding I could never have started Belle Amore” and she loves spending her time “helping people make their special day perfect”.

If you or anyone you know are planning your own special day why not visit Lucy and Belle Amore at 51 Station Road, Billingham, TS23 1AF, 07747513147 or visit the website www.belleamoredresses.co.uk.

Five Lamps is the local delivery partner for Start-Up Loans, a Government backed national initiative aimed at ambitious 18–30 year olds who want to start up their own businesses. For more information visit www.startuploans.co.uk/

Terry Bowes, 28 from Stockton first came to Five Lamps in January 2013 looking for support to start his own tyre fitting business

Ian Garforth, Five Lamps Enterprise Coach worked intensively with Terry through one to one coaching sessions. Ian also signed Terry up to Five Lamps enterprise workshops including ‘is it for me?’ a workshop which explores the pros and cons of self-employment and ‘we mean business’ a workshop that explores topics such as market research, marketing, sales and developing a business plan.

As Terry was unemployed and had never run his own business, the enterprise workshops helped him to gain the confidence and knowledge he needed to achieve his dream. Terry carried out intensive market research and used his previous experience of tyre fitting over the last 10 years to further develop his business plan.

Terry is now confident that he is creating a sustainable business and has found premises on Oxbridge Road in Stockton which is perfect for his needs. He started trading in May 2013 and said

“I owe a lot to Five Lamps as I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the fantastic help from Simon, John and Ian. I simply couldn’t have done it without their support and guidance. It’s great that I’m doing a job I love, thanks to Five Lamps.’

Hartlepool man Pat Gettings, has been involved in retailing in one way or another for most of his career

Towards the latter part of 2012 he started to look around for suitable retail premises in Hartlepool with a view to launching ATLANTIQUE, his collectables business.

Trying to turn his project into reality meant that he had to find an organisation that would help him sharpen up his business idea, develop a business plan and hopefully secure some funding for a market stall and some initial stock.

He heard about the Job Centre’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme and the Five Lamps European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project and made an appointment with Five Lamps to find out more.

Over the next few weeks Pat worked with Chris Butler, Five Lamps Senior Business Development Officer on his Business Plan with a key element of that being the need to find an appropriate location that was both affordable and had good footfall potential.

He approached Hartlepool Enterprise Centre at Brougham Terrace who helped him secure a six month rental on a stall in the indoor market hall in Middleton Grange shopping centre and also helped him with some funding for initial stock and other start-up costs.

In late December 2012, with the stock in place and the stall kitted out he was ready to start trading.
Despite the recession, the last four months have gone well with customers very interested in Pat’s wide range of quality collectables. When Chris called in to see him on his stall in late April, the market was busy with passing customers stopping to look and purchase.

Pat sees 2013 as a year of real opportunities for him, and he’s looking to move on to a bigger retail unit, he said

“Five Lamps support was very beneficial in assisting me to complete my business plan and with that secure funding and the stall”

The New Enterprise Allowance contract is delivered by Five Lamps and is part funded by the European Union, ERDF fund.

Amy Lindsay studied Fine Art at Northumbria University and became frustrated with the lack of opportunities in her chosen sector when she finished her degree.

Unable to find work Amy approached Five Lamps in October 2011 to discuss the possibility of starting her own creative business.

As a skilled artist and calligrapher Amy had often looked at wedding stationery and felt she could use her talents to produce higher quality designs at a more affordable price. When the Five Lamps Enterprise Team saw samples of her designs they quickly agreed with her.

With no previous business experience Amy needed guidance with the practical aspects of setting up and running her own business, Amy also needed financial help to purchase materials and equipment. During her business planning with Five Lamps Amy learnt lots of new skills, her creative talent shone through and she developed an excellent advertising and promotion strategy, including a national advertising campaign with Perfect Wedding.

Amy said

”I can’t thanks Five Lamps enough for what they did to help me in setting up my business. They were always on hand to offer guidance, advice, encouragement and even networking opportunities. I felt my mentor Carol Sanderson went above and beyond to help me make the most of the resources that were available to me and I knew she was always a phone call away if I was struggling with anything. Being self employed can be a very isolating experience and I found having someone to talk to one on one on a weekly basis absolutely invaluable. I love being able to do something I feel plays to my strengths and talents everyday and I feel like I am constantly learning new skills and achieving things I didn’t think I was capable of”

Amy started trading in April 2012 and her business has gone from strength to strength, she is now a preferred supplier to prestigious Wynyard Hall. You can find out more about Amy’s designs at www.yarmcalligraphy.co.uk or find her on facebook.

12 Thornaby Academy GCSE business students have raised enough dosh to send themselves on an exciting business trip thanks to an exciting project that Five Lamps are running across the Tees Valley, MyBnk’s Enterprise-in-a-Box.

Between them they raised a whopping £76 in 2 weeks.

The Enterprise-in-a-Box programme is a challenge and is suited for a range of young people. Their age and knowledge base determines the depth of detail required. This project can be run in a simple way for younger participants and for older ones, many layers can be added to maximize impact. The programme consists of 2 sessions and provides resources for teachers to fit enterprise and social enterprise elements to their own lesson planning.

In session 1, participants are introduced to the concept of social enterprise. They split into groups, receive their products and create their business plan. Teams prepare to start selling over the coming weeks. In session 2, teams present back their experiences. The presentations are monitored and teams are judged on their creativity and hard work.

Young people learn from participating in Enterprise-in-a-Box the practical experience of running their own social enterprise; working as a team, conducting market research, identifying their target audience, advertising, pricing, customer service, cash flow monitoring and planning ahead.

Feedback from the young people was really positive:

“It was good to try something new and get a feel of what it would be like to own a business”
“I think the MyBnk workshop was very good and I think it has trained me in how to be an entrepreneur and how to deal with customers and stock”
“I think it was very good and it’s given us an insight into running a business”
“I think that this is a good idea because it helps young people develop real business skills”

Miss Geragusain, Teacher of Enterprise at Thornaby Academy said,

“Absolutely fantastic for developing and enhancing student’s enterprising skills. The students loved being responsible for selling a social enterprise product, handling money and devising their own pricing strategy”

Alison Harnett is a 41 year old married mother of 3 living in Fishburn who until she was made redundant in 2011, worked as a Speech Therapist for Durham County Council.

Partial to a good brew and a skilled cake maker, Alison’s secret ambition was to open a speciality tea shop, something that being a working mum made impossible. When Alison was made redundant she decided it was “now or never” and decided to go for it. Alison approached Business Link who signposted her to Five Lamps Enterprise Team for advice on starting her business.

When a business needs premises, start-up costs will be high and from the outset it was clear that Alison’s main barrier was the amount of financial risk involved. With no access to grant funding Alison knew that her family’s financial security would be at risk if the business failed.

With such high stakes Alison knew her business planning and market research must be meticulous to prove her idea was viable and sustainable. Alison volunteered in local cafes, baked cakes for various charities and spent many long hours drinking tea and eating cakes while observing her competition! All of Alison’s research indicated that for her business to succeed, she must base herself in central Durham to take advantage of the tourist trade – more expense – making Alison’s decision even harder.

After much deliberation Alison, with the support of family, friends, Five Lamps Enterprise Team and many more, eventually found the perfect premises, took the plunge and opened Tealicious Tearoom at 88 Elvet Bridge, Durham on 30 August 2012.

Chris Butler Five Lamps Senior Business Development Officer called in recently to find Alison baking away and ready to open for another very busy day. When he asked how business was going Alison told him

“You know that projection we put in the cash flow of number of customers per day? – well we’re getting that an hour!! “

The business is a great success and you can follow Alison progress on facebook and Trip Advisor, by visiting the website www.tealicioustearoom.co.uk better still call in and say hello.

The Business Support in the North East project is being part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007-13. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information click here Working in a consortium led by North East Enterprise Agencies Ltd (NEEAL) local Enterprise and Development Agencies in the North East have matched this ERDF investment with £1.07m of their own funds.

Stephen Carden-Smith is a 47 year old married father of three who lives in Marton, Middlesbrough and previously worked for the construction giant Carillion as a Services Manager for 10 years.

After being made redundant in May 2012, he was determined to get back into work and build on his existing skills. Stephen decided to start his own business delivering a range of health and safety courses to support businesses and the general public throughout the North East.

To make sure he had the necessary qualifications to back up his relaxed and friendly training style, Stephen applied for and passed a number of courses, including the highly desired in the industry NEBOSH Certificate (National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health). Since passing his exam, he has gone further and is now studying part-time for the NEBOSH Diploma at Middlesbrough College.

Stephen recognised that he did not have the base knowledge required for starting his business having never worked for himself before; he sought the professional advice and training offered by Five Lamps’ Enterprise Team based in Thornaby.

Stephen’s main concerns were underpinning his knowledge of developing a strong business plan, marketing techniques and understanding legislation for new enterprises. By participating in the free workshops delivered by Five Lamps and attending one to one sessions with John Lawrenson Five Lamps’ Enterprise Coach and Simon Coe, Five Lamps’ Business Advisor, Stephen’s confidence began to grow and he realised that being self-employed could become a reality.

Stephen developed his knowledge of the competition in the training sector, created a plan on how to market the business both via traditional and online methods and decided on a price structure and service that gave potential customers the best value for money within a difficult competitive market place. Stephen also began his business networks and decided on 22 October 2012, to take the final steps towards self-employment and registered for trading as ‘APCB Safety Training’ named after his underpinning mission to improve employee Attitudes, Perceptions, Competencies and Behaviours in the workplace.

Stephen said:

“I am really looking forward to delivering quality recognised training qualifications within the local and wider communities. I’m deeply grateful to all the staff at Five Lamps, in particular my coaches John and Simon. I’m now more positive and confident and hope to be a successful entrepreneur!”

He excitedly mentioned that he will deliver his training at the University of Teesside Business Centre, where he has the use of the latest technology and spacious, modern training rooms to welcome his business clients. Stephen is offering both Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Instituted of Occupational Health (IOSH) courses.

If you or your company require help with Safety Training in the workplace, you can contact Stephen at APCB Safety Training on (01642) 738952, info@apcbsafetytraining.co.uk or visit www.apcbsafetytraining.co.uk.

Five Lamps’ MyBnk team have delivered a high-paced fun action-packed financial educational workshop to 9 young people from Stockton, Billingham and Middlesbrough.

The young people were referred to Five Lamps from Community Campus ‘87.

Money Works is a three part financial education programme empowering young adults moving into independent living to confront their money worries and gain financial control of their lives. The programme was delivered at Community Campus ’87 and was structured around a crime prevention programme.

MyBnk Money Works Programme is typically delivered to those who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs). These learners are often in a transitional period – living in hostels, leaving care, or about to move into independent living. Their circumstances mean they are often in need of survival money management skills and actions they can implement immediately. Some of these young people also have low self-confidence around money management, so the Money Works programme contains a strong element of challenging negative attitudes, building self-belief and aspirations to move forward financially

Samantha, 21 from Stockton said

“It was very helpful and made me prioritise my needs and wants. I used my budgeting skills and sorted my utilities before I spent all of my money on things I didn’t need. I am breaking my bad spending habits and it feels great getting back in control of my finances. I am less worried and don’t feel too guilty for spending as I have prioritised”

Another participant, Emma, 26 from Middlesbrough said

“I saved some of my money and actually managed to spend over £50 on food, this is very unusual for me as I have limited income – I have actually framed the receipt. I was having great difficulty trying to open a bank account and financial products available to me were restricted; the MyBnk Money Works programme gave me the knowledge and confidence to open up a basic building society account which was best for my needs anyway”

Community Campus ’87 is a community based social enterprise formed in 1987 by a group of young people to address the emerging crisis of youth homelessness in Teesside. Mel Boyce, Youth Participation Manager at Community Campus ’87 said “The programme was very effective for clients and staff. It gave lots of information for now and the future. The sessions were made fun and room to let clients speak; we would love to run more of these sessions in the future if funding was right.

Mark Hobson from Norton engaged with Five Lamps in January 2012 to obtain support in opening a tattoo studio

Already a creative individual, Mark wanted to use his considerable artistic talents to create body art – a far cry from his previous work painting aircraft. Now his artwork adorns a different kind of undercarriage.

Working with the Enterprise Team at Five Lamps he began his journey towards self-employment.

Mark said:

“I knew I wanted to be in Norton but other than that, I had no idea about leasing premises. It was a real eye-opener”

Mark’s journey involved a number of potential premises before he found the perfect location on Norton Avenue. But once he’d found the location he then had to change the planning permissions and, of course, obtain the relevant licensing to prove the business was safe and hygienic.

Mark said

“It’s been a lot of work to get the business up and running. Looking back, I don’t think I could have done it without the support I received from Five Lamps. They were with me all the way”

Tattooligan opened its doors on Norton Avenue in August 2012. Asked about what the future holds, Mark says

“I just can’t wait to get on. It’s been hard work but ultimately worth it. It’s great to see delighted customers walking out the door. In some way, Tattooligans will now always be a little part of their lives”

Mandy Bracchi from Norton, engaged with Five Lamps in February 2012 to develop a long held dream of opening her own café.

Working with the Enterprise Team at Five Lamps and with support from Redcar Borough Council she found premises in Guisborough and began to make that dream a reality.

Already an entrepreneurial character, Mandy was confident in her ideas, but entering a new market created new challenges that she attacked with aplomb. Issues with planning and repairing an old building dogged the initial process and caused her a number of sleepless nights, but in July “Café Milly” opened its doors.

Mandy said:

“It’s been a difficult but rewarding journey. The sheer amount of work that went into getting the café to look ‘just right’ was enormous. But now it’s completed, it looks stunning and the customers love it. The help and support I received was priceless. Without their encouragement I may have given up. It really helped and reduced the pressure on me. I’d really recommend it to anyone”

Café Milly is located on Guisborough High Street and holds the coveted Five Stars for food hygiene.

David and Catherine Sharp from Fairfield, engaged with Five Lamps in 2011 to obtain support in developing an innovative indoor skate-park for Stockton

Working with the Enterprise team, they developed a robust and detailed proposal which is now with Stockton Council for consultation. During this process, Dave and Cath engaged with a huge number of local residents and identified a definite need for a local retailer of skate, BMX and scooter equipment. Buoyed by this feedback they began to look at filling the gap and opening a ‘skate shop’.

Supported by a grant from the Enterprise Gateway, they opened X-Up Skate Shop in the Enterprise Arcade on Stockton High Street in March 2012 and from day one the business has gone from strength to strength.

Dave said:

“It’s been incredible. We’ve even had a queue out of the door”

In the 4 months since opening, they have already taken on a member of staff through a Jobcentre Plus programme and are considering taking on another apprentice through a local college. They are also planning to expand the unit to make space for all of their stock.

“We simply couldn’t have done it without the support of Five Lamps. The support has been invaluable. It’s also reassuring to know that we have someone to go to for continuous support as the business grows. The skate park decision is still in the balance, but we’re already excited for the future. If anyone would like to pledge their support, please pop in and sign up”

The Enterprise Gateway was 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.

In early 2011 Khulani and Patience were finding it difficult to make progress with their dream of starting a Social Enterprise to create the profit from selling bottled water that would then be used 50/50 to, support play projects in Africa, and young people’s projects in the North East.

They had found a source of water and a bottling company but needed to produce a robust strategy that addressed the big issues of how to market the product, who were their target customers, why would these customers buy Manzi Blue water rather than any other and how would they store and distribute the product. They also needed some funding to buy their first batch of stock.

Working with Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Senior Business Development Officer they took advantage of a range of free training workshops and one to one sessions in order to produce a robust business plan that tested each of the above questions in a constructive but challenging way. Chris advised them to think of him as a Dragons Den member – but a bit friendlier!

They were both eligible for the Job Centre’s New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) scheme, which meant that they could apply for a business loan to help towards their start-up costs.

After around six months of hard work, visiting potential customers such as Teesside University, Stockton Riverside College, Sunderland University and others, and receiving very positive feedback, they had the confidence to order their first batch of 10,000 bottles of Manzi Blue water.

Once the order was placed, they continued working with Chris on a plan to launch the product into the Students Union shops at Teesside University and local retail outlets.

When Chris met them recently in the shop at Teesside University it was great to see the product on display and selling steadily to the students and staff. The shop manager told Chris that the product was well priced and student liked the ethical vision for the use of the profits – that was there unique selling proposition and that was what needed strongly marketing.

Taking the manager’s advice they are now working with Chris to strengthen their marketing strategy, with the aim of making Manzi Blue the water of choice for students across the North East.

Khulani and Patience said

“Five Lamps have been instrumental in helping us start.. The combination of free workshops, training and one to one support has been ideal for us. Without the New Enterprise Loan we would have struggled to buy our first batch of stock. We have felt throughout that Chris and the team really believed in us and the potential for this exciting adventure. They are continuing to work with us as the business grows and that is a great resource to have behind us“

Lori Wheatman, President of Teesside University Students’ Union said

“We’re committed as an organisation to doing as much as we possibly can to have an impact on the wider society, and even world, so we have been delighted to work with Manzi Blue over the past year. We admire their commitment to making a difference to people’s lives and their product is already popular with students so it’s a real win win situation!”

Khulani and Patience are keen to point out that people in the local and regional community can support the cause by purchasing the Manzi Blue water as the profits are also going to the local communities and independent stores and local organisations can help by stocking the product.

Contact Manzi Blue at kullany@manziblue.org.uk, www.manziblue.org.uk or (01642) 602664.

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.

The New Enterprise Allowance (NEA) Scheme is funded by The Department for Work and Pensions

In October 2011, Mandy Alderson and Jayne Carr got in touch with Five Lamps with a brilliant idea – to open up INFINITY catering right next to Stockton’s Infinity Bridge.

With Jayne’s experience in the catering sector and Mandy’s in Customer Service they had the perfect combination of great food, well priced, in a perfect location next to this new iconic Stockton landmark.

To help them identify all the key steps and actions they needed to take, they worked with Chris Butler, Senior Business Development Officer at Five Lamps. Over a number of weeks, Chris supported them to research their customers, pricing, marketing and start up costs in order to produce a business plan. They secured funding from Stockton Council and launched their new exciting venture.

The business is going from strength to strength, with the girls building up an ever increasing band of loyal customers from the surrounding businesses who enjoy the food and the friendly banter.

When Chris called in recently to check out the parmos, Mandy said

“Five Lamps have been invaluable to us, their advice helped us to pursue our business idea. We would highly recommend their services. Any one with a business idea should certainly talk to them, its free practical advice. This is our first business venture, we would never have taken it further if it was not for Five Lamps, and we will certainly never look back – Thanks guys.”

Infinity Catering are located on the approach to the Infinity Bridge on the Thornaby side of the river.

You can contact them on 07403 243469 or jnmsinfinitycatering@gmail.com

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.

Jonn has always been very interested in the alternative scene, whether it is clothes, accessories or music.

After a number of years working laying flooring and carpets, he decided that he wanted the challenge of self employment and in particular, selling his range of distinctive clothes, piercings and bags.

Trying to turn his dream into reality meant that he had to find an organisation that would help him sharpen up his business idea, help him develop a business plan and hopefully secure some funding for a market stall and some initial stock.

In early 2011 he heard about Stockton Council’s Enterprise Gateway and got in touch with Five Lamps to find out more.

Over the next few months Jonn worked with a number of the Five Lamps team attending free business workshops and working one to one on his business plan.

In summer 2011 he was ready to go and having secured some funding, started up on local markets with his distinctive stall and product range.

As the word has spread amongst the alternative scene communities; the goths and vampires the EMOs, the punks and metalheads, Jonn has been getting more and more interest.

During October 2011 he moved into Stockton Council’s Enterprise Arcade on the High Street and has seen business really taking off.

When Chris Butler, Five Lamps Senior Business Development Officer called into his recently the place was full of people browsing and buying.

Jonn sees 2012 as a year of real opportunities for him, he is first to say that

“If it wasn’t for Five Lamps I wouldn’t be where I am today, I would probably still be on the dole. Five Lamps are really interested in helping people achieve their ambitions”

For more information, email theblackboxstockton@hotmail.co.uk, ring 07933599773 or ‘like’ their page www.facebook.com/theblackboxstockton

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.

Brian Sample has always been passionate about gardens and the outdoors.

He trained at Kew in London and Ascomb Grange in York. He also spent a number of years as a long distance truck driver. Due to a back injury he had to stop driving and was out of work for quite a long time.

In late 2010, Brian’s doctors cleared him to return to work – but not distance driving! This gave him the chance to return to his first love of gardening, so he decided to explore the possibility of self employment.

Brian heard about Five Lamps and around Christmas 2010 met up with Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Senior Business Development Officer, who signposted him onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme.

Over the next couple of months, Brian attended various Five Lamps Enterprise Gateway workshops, including bookkeeping and marketing. Brian also worked with Chris to identify potential customers, decide on how to market the business and produce a business plan.

The business plan helped him access some funding from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund for his initial start up costs.

Brian started trading as BWS Gardening in early March 2011 and is already very busy.

Speaking to Chris recently, he said

“I should have done this years’ ago, loving every minute of it. It’s given me a whole new lease of life”

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 years, Fiona Hawkins has always carried out all the alterations and dressmaking for family and friends and once her children reached school age, she started to think about perhaps doing it professionally.

She had her eye on a suitable location in Hartburn and when it became available in early 2010 she decided to go for it. A friend suggested that Fiona should contact Five Lamps for some advice on how to go about registering as self employed and the possibly of accessing some start-up funding.

For the next couple of months Fiona worked with Simon Coe, Five Lamps’ Business Development Officer, who signposted her onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme. Simon also went through each element of the business plan to be sure Fiona had thought carefully about all the pros and cons.

Fiona also came along to Five Lamps’ free Enterprise Gateway workshops which not only were very valuable in helping her to start her business but also put her in touch with a whole load of potential customers.

Simon helped her access a start-up grant from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund and in June 2010 she opened for business. From day one she has been very busy; what with, weddings, proms and special occasion dresses and outfits; her sewing machine has never stopped.

Ever versatile, she’s also made beehive covers, repairs to various teddies and a saddle for a rocking horse!

Fiona loves every minute of being self employed and recently commented

“I love getting out of the house each day, sewing, making beautiful clothes that bring a smile to my customer’s faces and make there special day extra special, and oh – making a bit of money”

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.

Since the mid 80s, Chris Rutledge from Stockton had worked as an electrician for a number of local electrical contractors. All the way through that period, he always fancied doing it for himself.

In January 2009 he got the chance when the recession forced his employer to lay off some staff, including Chris.

After a few weeks of mulling it over, Chris approached his local Job Centre for advice on self-employment, they suggested he contact Five Lamps who signposted him onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme.

He met Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Senior Business Development Officer and over the next couple of months researched a range of issues in order to produce his business. This not only helped Chris to secure start-up funding from Business Link, but also gave him a blueprint to follow for his first 12 months of trading.

Chris also attended Five Lamps free Enterprise Gateway workshops, which gave him some valuable advice on how to keep his books, register as self employed and market his business.

In June 2009, Chris bought a van and had it signwritten with his business name ‘Electrically Minded’ and his distinctive light bulb logo. Since then the business has grown steadily. He has taken on his first employee and is regularly winning new domestic, commercial and industrial business.

Calling in to see Five Lamps he said to Chris Butler

“My only regret is not having had the guts to take the plunge earlier. Even in this recession I’m finding work and most importantly, I feel a lot happier in myself”.

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 behlaf 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.

In 2010 after a career in manufacturing and the construction industry, Debra Holliday found herself being made redundant from her job as a Site Manager.

As a local woman she had always liked the idea of perhaps one day running her own business in the Billingham area, so she started to look around and she found ‘Munchies’ a hot and cold sandwich bar for sale in Mill Lane, Billingham.

Munchies has been there for a number of years and Debra was convinced that with its ideal location and good parking, she could make it into a popular place for locals and passing trade. She approached Five Lamps and initially met Deborah Shanley, Five Lamps Enterprise Coach who helped her to identify some of the key actions needed and signposted her onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme.

Deborah also booked Debra onto some free Five Lamps Enterprise Gateway workshops looking at issues such as finance and marketing, where she gained a lot of valuable knowledge and met other people who were also in the early stages of starting up their own businesses.

Working with Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Senior Business Development Officer she produced a strong business plan which helped her access start-up funding from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund. Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed.

Debra opened for business in April 2010 and Munchies was reborn. Debra said recently

“It’s going really well. I love seeing my regulars and new customers every day and I’m really chuffed at being awarded the Stockton five-star food hygiene rating within three months of opening”

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.

After a great few years training in fashion and textiles and working abroad, Shelley Currie from Stockton returned home and started thinking about what to do next

From a little girl she had always enjoyed doing jobs around the house helping her granddad with DIY and gardening.

In early 2010 she decided that she was fairly sure that starting up a landscape design and gardening business would be perfect for her, but she needed to find some help to turn her dream into a reality – sitting at home on Job Seekers was driving her mad.

Shelley heard about Five Lamps and rang them to see what they could do to help her. Shelley was signposted onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme.

For the next few months she worked with them attending free Enterprise Gateway workshops, including one on finance and marketing. Shelley also worked with Simon Coe, Five Lamps’ Business Development Officer to help her map out the actions she needed to take to get the business off to a flying start and to access a grant from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund.

A big headache for Shelley was what to call the business. After a number of dead ends she hit on the image she wanted and ‘Spicy Frog’ was born. She started trading in September 2010 and since then the business has grown steadily.

Shelley said

“Starting this business is the best thing ever, I should have done it years ago “

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.

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.

All through her life, Diane Drysdale from Stockton has always been in and around horses, events and shows.

With a career in blue chip companies, she thought her job prospects were reasonably secure until the recession hit and she found herself out of work.

Having had a previous spell in self employment she started to research possible ideas for launching a new venture based around supplying event performance wear and accessories to competitors taking part in equestrian events. She came to the conclusion that there was a business opportunity as no-one else in the North East was doing this.

During September 2010, Diane’s Job Centre Advisor suggested she contact Five Lamps for some help with a business plan and free business support. Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Senior Business Development Officer signposted Diane onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme.

Over the next couple of months Diane met Chris on a regular basis, developing and fine tuning her business model. Chris helped Diane to access funding from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund and free training and business support through Five Lamps Enterprise Gateway workshops.

In December 2010, she started trading as ‘EQUESTRIENNE d’ELEGANCE’ and since then the business has grown steadily as more and more people in the horse and pony showing world get to know about her.

Calling in to Five Lamps in late June 2011, she told Chris

“I’m really enjoying the flexibility of being self employed especially as it allows me to be creative and give my customers beautiful performance wear and accessories – it’s a real buzz”.

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.

Sarah Birch, 25 from Norton had trained and worked as a hairdresser since leaving school.

In early 2010, it looked as if she might be losing her job when the owner of the salon where she worked told her that she was selling up and Sarah might need to look somewhere else, or take over the salon!

Sarah got in touch with Five Lamps and worked with Chris Butler, Five Lamps’ Senior Business Development Officer who signposted her onto Stockton’s Enterprise Gateway programme. Chris worked with Sarah over a number of weeks, researching her customers, her pricing and her start up costs in order to produce a business plan.

Five Lamps also helped Sarah access funding from Stockton Council’s Communities Fund and Five Lamps loan fund to enable her to purchase equipment and a specialist hair extensions training course. So in April 2010, she made the decision to go for it and took over the lease for the salon.

The salon is on the mezzanine floor at Fitness First in Preston Park, Stockton so she called it “Sarah@Mezzanine”. Since then she has never looked back, thoroughly enjoying it.

When Chris visited her in June 2011 she said

“I was terrified at the thought of it at first, but now would never dream of going back to working for someone else”

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.

This project is funded by the European Union European Regional Development Fund 2007-13 and the Stockton Communities Fund.

Five Lamps have a satellite office in Billingham to help people who are thinking about self-employment

Part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Five Lamps’ helps to deliver Stockton Council’s Enterprise Gateway Service, which helps people to explore the possibility of self employment and starting a business.

You can find out what you need to know about what is involved in starting up a business, who you need to talk to about issues such as effects on benefits and talk confidentially about your circumstances.

Deborah Shanley, Five Lamps’ Enterprise Coach who runs the Billingham office said

“We help people to explore the option of self-employment. For example, someone might want to find out how viable it is to set up their own business – can they transform a hobby or pastime into something that can earn a living from? We try to give people the information they need to decide if self-employment is for them”

Five Lamps’ Billingham office is based in Billingham Community Centre on The Causeway (Billingham Town Centre) and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

A local dad is celebrating success after achieving his dream of running his own business

Adrian Wray, 33, set up Chocolate Freelance Hairstylists in January of this year, after learning more about what self-employment could offer by attending an enterprising event on board Launch Pad in Stockton-on-Tees.

Five Lamps organised the  event in Stockton Town Centre.

Adrian, who is from Stockton, was formerly working as personal advisor for Connexions in the town, but always had a passion for hairdressing. After attending a course at Stockton College, his girlfriend fell pregnant and Adrian decided to take a break from hairdressing and concentrate on bringing money in to support the baby.

Adrian said:

“It was a difficult time and I knew that sacrifices would have to be made to support the baby. I knew that I would have to put hairdressing on the back burner, which I did until after the baby was born. In 2005 I went back to College to study for my NVQ in hairdressing and even managed to land an apprenticeship at Hooker & Young. 

“It was at about this time that I happened upon the Launch Pad, which was based next to my local library in Stockton. I had been thinking about the possibility of working for myself for a while, so when I realised what it was all about, I jumped at the chance.” 

With the help and advice provided by Five Lamps’ business advisers on board Launch Pad, Adrian was able to find out about available business support and begin working on his business model.

After attending Launch Pad, Adrian signed up for a number of workshops and networking events organised by Five Lamps. He also received a start up grant from Stockton Council to help him begin trading as a mobile hairstylist.

Since that time, Chocolate has gone from strength to strength. Adrian said:

“I’m not going to say that going into business for myself has been easy – particularly in this tough economic climate, but I can say it was the best move for me. Since setting up word has spread and business is getting busier and busier as the weeks go on. 

“Working for myself means that I can be a lot more flexible with my time, which means a lot when you have a family. I also enjoy the freedom it brings – working for yourself can be very liberating. I am still very committed to the business and to furthering myself and have just completed an NVQ Level 2 in Barbering.”

Chris Butler, Adrian’s Five Lamps Business Adviser said:

“I knew from day one that Adrian was very driven and committed. He already had the necessary skills for his business but needed a helping hand from us. “Using Launch Pad to reach people like Adrian has proved to be very effective. The vehicle is bright and interesting and works well for drawing people in.” 

A pair of sandwich-makers who faced unemployment are continuing to earn a crust thanks to support from Five Lamps

“As well as the financial side we also received help from Five Lamps making a business plan and they continue to give us support along the way. Running the business is totally different for us so the advice has been very important”

Karen Hunter and Sharon Rodham, on the support they received from Five Lamps.

When the owner of The Pantry on Thorntree Road in Thornaby announced her forthcoming retirement, employees Sharon Rodham and Karen Hunter feared they would lose their jobs. Both had worked there for several years and did not want to see the successful sandwich and hot food business go to waste, so they decided to turn to Five Lamps for help.

Their application led to a loan and grants, allowing them to take over the lease and carry out a major refurbishment. In November 2009, they reopened the shop with a new name – Fillers.

Sharon, 41, who has worked at the shop for 13 years and lives in Thornaby, said

“In the current climate it’s good that local businesses can get this kind of support. If we hadn’t had this we would have had to go to a bank and wouldn’t have got the same support.”

Karen, 40, also from Thornaby, who has worked at the shop for six years, said

“As well as the financial side we also received help making a business plan and they continue to give us support along the way. “Running the business is totally different for us so the advice has been very important.”