More Than A Master Craftsman

After a career in construction work, from building houses to renovating buildings, Tony Stephens went to the Granby Toxteth Development Trust to see if they could help him set up his own construction company. Having already built up a client base from his many years of construction work and through word of mouth, Tony was confident that he had the foundations in place to make a successful and viable business.

When asked why he decided to set up a business, Tony said: “I am a master craftsman and wanted to go back into construction but my doctor advised me from doing any labour, so I wanted to go and set up a business where I would be in charge and ensure that my customers were getting an excellent service”.

Tony first heard about Enterprise Hub when he saw an advertisement for a course in a window. He called in and decided to sign up.

He said: “I found the people at Granby Toxteth Development Trust very helpful. Darren the tutor was fantastic! 10/10 from me”.

Tony was placed in a good position to start his business due to his experience, which included a five-year course in brickwork and a four-year apprenticeship. He said he has faced some challenges along the way, mainly down to his health, having had two hip replacements, surgery on his lungs due to lung cancer and COPD which means he must take his time when walking and doing small tasks. Despite this, he says he now looks forward to getting up each morning and finds being his own boss ‘exciting’.

For other people thinking about starting their own business, Tony said he would give the advice to not go into a partnership, especially with a friend, as it can be very risky.

He added: “Your partner could have different opinions and different ideas on how the business will look like. If you do things yourself then you can do things the way that you want to do them, and your business can be the way you want it to be”.

Tony has a business card for any possible client and they can call him, email him and he is currently in the final stages of creating a website which should be up and running within the next few weeks.

Granby Toxteth Development Trust are a partner of Enterprise Hub and are based in Toxteth, Liverpool. Their main aim is to improve the social and economic standards of residents and businesses locally and in the surrounding areas.  You can contact them directly on their website here.

Turning Your Hobby Into Your Business

Ian Lewis worked as a mechanic before realising what he really wanted to do.

Ian Lewis was able to launch his Events Management business ‘Go Events’ in Wavertree with help from Enterprise Hub partner Granby Toxteth Development Trust. Since dealing with the Trust, he has worked on three major Liverpool events; Liverpool Horse Show, Africa Oye and the Liverpool River Festival.

Go Events provide professional personal address systems, microphones, cables, vintage amplifiers and sound engineering and recording facilities for hire for different occasions. Ian tactfully based the business in Wavertree, so he could be close to all the city’s major parks, which often serve as locations for some of the biggest events in the Liverpool calendar.

Organising events was always Ian’s hobby, but not how he earnt his money. He worked as a mechanic before finally deciding that he wanted to study what he loved; he got a diploma with distinctions and merits in Music Production and Event Management at Knowsley Community College. No doubt this gave him the knowledge and confidence to go forward with his business idea.

Ian said setting up his business wasn’t easy and he got as much advice as possible to help him avoid making mistakes. He prides himself on his hard-working ethic and was motivated by getting everything he needed in place before making his business public. He feels that all his hard work and determination has paid off and he is extremely happy with how his business has played out.

In addition to having a new business Ian is also a father of three and a new grandfather, so with him running his business he also has to care and provide for his family.

Like many business starters, Ian said he was most daunted by the tax and mathematical side of things, which was something he was able to get advice and support on.

He said: “The support from Granby Toxteth Development Trust was really helpful! They made things easier and simpler for me to understand. They made me believe that I can do things myself, giving me the confidence and belief that ordinary people with a limited education can be business-minded and successful.

“They are always willing to go the extra mile to help you out and keep you on track and aiming towards your goal of a rewarding and successful business.”

Since becoming a business owner Ian said he’s been pushed to make himself do better and has discovered skills he didn’t know he had. When pushed for his advice for other would-be business owners, Ian said: “Go for it and get as much professional advice as possible.”

Ian's ambition is to eventually expand Go Events nationally and in Europe. For now, his aim is to gain a good name for his business within the local community.

Granby Toxteth Development Trust are a partner of Enterprise Hub and are based in Toxteth, Liverpool. Their main aim is to improve the social and economic standards of residents and businesses locally and in the surrounding areas.  You can contact them directly on their website here.