Newsletter - September 2008
Welcome to the September '08 edition of the Peterborough Workspace Newsletter.
We are now at the end of what has been a dismal summer, weather wise. However, at Peterborough Workspace after a slow start enquiries have started to pick up and indeed last month two new businesses moved in. At the moment we have only 3 units/offices available, as detailed below. Occupancy is currently 93% up 30% on the same period last year.
This month's Business Link article is “How to survive difficult times”. With everything in the press about the “credit crunch”, the article makes very interesting reading. This month Darren Richardson the proprietor of Heatfix, who have been with us for over 12 months, writes about his experience of starting a businesses and moving into Workspace House.
Peterborough Workspace is ideal for those businesses working from home who want to get to the next level. If you are aware of any such business which would benefit from the services which we provide please refer them directly to me.
Philip Moores
Project Director
tel: 01733 390707
Septembers Business Focus - Heatfix
HeatFix began trading in April 2004 and like a lot of small businesses it was just me, my wife Tracey (part time receptionist, bookkeeper and general dog's body... bless her!) a small Ford Courier van and a converted dining room/office.
I had no customers as such to begin with but great family and friends to start us off and my first born son to inspire me. (He was the reason we embarked on this adventure). I knew it was going to be tough but I wanted to work hours to suit my needs. That's the whole point isn't it?
I gained my first new customer quite quickly; it was the neighbour of the account manager who opened my business account. From that one job came his daughters, two neighbours, their relations, their friends and as recommendations grew so did HeatFix (I even had a recommendation from a chance meeting on the no.1 bus!)
Gary, my newly qualified gas engineer was first on board as an apprentice two years ago. Then Sarah became my new office manager in 2007 freeing Tracey to look after son number two. This then meant that the house was now the hub of the business. The board room, the stationery room, the staff kitchen etc. I started there first thing in the morning and ended there (often late!) last thing at night. I, like a lot of us, walked straight in the door and straight into the office. My dream of being my own boss and working the hours that I wanted had gone. I never switched off. That's when I considered hanging up the towel and getting my life back.
Then at one early morning networking breakfast I met Philip Moores who gave me a solution to my problem, Peterborough Workspace. We haven't looked back since. The business has grown to include Ben, a qualified plumber and Rosemary our office administrator. With a good team and the network of businesses and people in Workspace House you learn that you are not the only one out there. There are other businesses big and small who face what you face everyday, and knowing that helps. Their support and advice can be invaluable and it's free.
So here's to our future and yours and a big, big thank you to Stan at Rose Fire, Elisabeth and Sharon at Papershrink, my neighbour Meredith at Bead Merrily and all the staff at Peterborough Workspace.
Darren Richardson
Proprietor, HeatFix.
For more information please check www.heatfix.co.uk
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