Member Article

Gap in market gives entrepreneur the push

Seeing a gap in the print market gave local man, Allan Smith, the final push he needed to become his own boss.

After working in the print industry for over 26 years, Allan left the security of working for someone else and set about starting his own business which has recently celebrated its first year.He visited the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) and was appointed business adviser Chris Craig.

The project is being part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £1.07m ERDF investment. 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. Allan explains:

“It became a sink or swim moment, I took the plunge and went with the flow and thankfully came out the other side. I found the BIC to be inspirational because to be honest my meetings with Chris made me realise how much I had to learn about planning ahead inorder for his business to succeed.

“Chris made me think about my first, second and third year forcast. It really made me look at the bigger picture from a strategic point of view. This really worked because now I have customers all over the North East and Scotland. I love what I do, I am so passionate about it and I find the whole thing so rewarding. “The future is looking very positive and ideally I would love to take on someone in the future which would be such an achievement and I would feel very proud to contribute to someone’s life and regional growth.

“The best thing about being my own boss is not having to answer to the boss,” he jokes, “But seriously having the flexibility to plan things with my family and knowing that the business is all made from my hard work it’s just so rewarding and worthwhile.Allan’s business adviser Chris Craig adds:

“Allan really has a passion for what he does and this came across so visibly right from our very first meeting. “To see him now after celebrating his first year in business and his client base growing has been excellent.”

To find out more about Allan’s company visit www.wearetrust.co.uk

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