Single Mum Michelle helps others fight for Justice

Mum of 3 Michelle Harrison returned to the UK from Tenerife to find a lack of job opportunities. However, her strength and determination inspired her to seize the opportunity to start a new chapter.

Having previously worked in sales and admin jobs, Michelle Harrison returned from a stint living and working in Tenerife wanting to be her own boss.  She told us "I’ve been thinking about running a business for a long time now and was thinking about it a lot whilst in Tenerife. I returned to the UK, and saw no opportunities here for me, that’s when I decided that  to establish my own business would be the best thing for me to do. I am strong minded and determined and have always had an issue working for other people, and I was tired of other people making money out of me."

Seeing the benefit of being able to chose hours that fit around her family life, Michelle launched firm Harrison & Mitchell Ltd based in Liverpool, a firm set up to link those needing support with legal issues or fighting injustice with the right services and people to help them. 

Both while in Teneriffe and when returning to the UK this is something Michelle had got involved with on an informal basis but said "I realised I could make a good living out of being me, using my skills and identifying people who needed support and ensuring they go the right support."

Starting up her business was an overwhelming experience, it was unsettling thinking of everything she was needing to balance personally and professionally and Michelle found she faced bureaucratic barriers. That was until she contacted Darren Guy from Enterprise Hub partner Granby Toxteth Development Trust, they knew each other from their days at ELECT, she says, “I remember him being a great business adviser, so I knew he would be my first port of call.”

Armed with a list of contacts, Michelle knew she was in good hands. “Darren put me in touch with ICC who gave me a small grant to purchase a laptop, he also helped me get a better off benefit review which helped ensure I get the child support I needed, more importantly, he believed in me and encouraged me all the time.”

So what did Michelle gained from the work with Enterprise Hub?

“The service was excellent, I received all the business advice support I needed such as writing a business plan, understanding finance and cashflow, dealing with legal issues and learning about research and marketing.”

Now into her 2^nd year of running the business, how does she feel about what she’s achieved so far and what are her prospects?

“I feel rewarded for the work for the work I do, running my own initiative and having time for my children, I’m so happy, I work with other solicitor firms, some great, some not so. We haven’t developed a website yet, so we are using social media and word of mouth a lot.”

Finally, asked about her experience with Enterprise Hub at Granby Toxteth Development Trust. 

“I am so grateful for all Darren' advice and guidance, GTDT have provided me with a step by step service, which has given me confidence in starting my own business. Darren also signposted me to the Citizen’s Advice who helped me with my finances and benefit rights now that I am self-employed. He then referred me to various organisations with pots of funding for new businesses. We have been successful with this and have now got the training and tools that we needed to help our business grow and become a success. I can honestly say hand on my heart. I could not have done this without Darren's support. Thanks you so much for all your continued support. Anyone that is thinking of starting a business, even if it is just an idea contact Darren and the team”.

Enterprise Hub is open to men and women living in the Liverpool City region who want to receive support to start or grow a new business offering a one door access point for appropriate and expert business support.  And if like Michelle you would like some support to pursue your dream off starting a business, contact Enterprise Hub to find out how you can benefit from the European Regional Development Funded programme via 0151 706 8113 or enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk

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.