Enterprise skills honed with family-owned firm

What is your business?

We are the complete weight loss and body clinic offering our clients a detox and weight loss programme, with ultrasound lipo cavitation - a treatment that targets fat deposits, removing them safely from the body via the lymphatic system.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up doing what you are doing now?

I have been self-employed for many years and run businesses involving natural health products and children’s play areas but saw there was an opportunity in the natural weight loss market.

Did you always want to run your own enterprise?

It is always something I have wanted to do as my family owned their own business so and I worked in the family business after leaving school.

What skills/qualifications do you require for the role?

Good interaction/communication skills.

Motivation.

Confidence to succeed.

Has your business been affected by the current recession?

We started the business last year so I can’t say we have been affected by the recession.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when setting up and what support did you get?

Our biggest problem was with our premises which didn’t work very well due to car parking and location. We have since moved nearer to our customers with free parking and this has helped.

More recently we have received help from Carrickfergus Enterprise in the form of mentoring and also by attending their business focused seminars. I have found them a great resource.

What three tips could you offer those considering starting their own business?

Do your research and base your decision mainly on the facts, don’t try and convince yourself because it sounds like a great idea if the facts and figures don’t add up.

Draw up your business plan before you start, don’t wait until you get started and then do it, it is better to have a plan and change it than making the plan up as you go along. Contact Carrickfergus Enterprise who can assist you with drawing up your plan.

Get to know how to use spreadsheets well because they are a great tool in business for budgets, forecasts, business plans etc.

At the very start run with the business as fast as you can because the opportunity to launch a business doesn’t come around again unless you do a relaunch and this costs more because you are spending the money twice.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

Keep an eye out for new opportunities, products and services.

What do you get up to in your free time?

Golf and I am about to start a new Scout troop.

If you could swap places with anyone who would it be and why?

I am not interested in swapping with anyone, I am simply looking to improve myself, where I am and where I am going.

Go Your Own Way series is in association with Carrickfergus Enterprise, Meadowbank Road, Carrickfergus. Telephone: 02893 369528.