Member Article

Carpet cleaner business off to a sparkling success

No one likes a filthy carpet and in a quest to banish the dirt a Sunderland couple decided to set up their own business.

Ray Collins asked his wife, Linda, of 17 years to team up with him and it was then that Bee Clean Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners was created. Last month the company celebrated their first birthday and have a long list of domestic and commercial clients on board from nightclubs to nursing homes.

Ray and Linda first visited the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) for a seminar about starting up your own business and they then made an appointment with business adviser, Margaret Cook, Linda explains:

“After the seminar we began meeting up with Margaret every two weeks and each time we met she set us another goal to complete before our next session. We began to jokingly call it our homework.

“Deciding on our business name was the hardest part, it took about six weeks. We are busy bees and the name formed from there. The best thing about being self employed is that we can decide on a whim to pack our camper van and take our dog, Molly on mini breaks.

“Although we do have one big rule on our holidays, not to talk about the business.”

Margaret adds: “It has been very inspiring to watch Linda and Ray’s business flourish and grow and it reminds me of why I am in this profession.

“I look forward to wishing them a happy second birthday next year!”

The North East BIC offers a wide range of products and services to support the needs of anything who wishes to start a new business, and assists over 150 enterprises in the getting off the ground each year. To contact the business support team call 0191 516 6149 or email businesssupport@ne-bic.co.uk

For more information on Bee Clean Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners visit www.bee-clean-carpets.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Spence .