If We Can, You Can

Author:

Keith Barker

Business:

easy2surf Ltd

Published:

12/11/2008 11:40:00

About 18 years ago I operated my own driving school, but left that to go into the Financial Services and Insurance market. In more recent years I was a Senior Finance Manager for a national company who supplied electrical goods and payments were made via a coin meter.

I was forced to leave work due to health problems, and was basically told that I would not be able to work in the conventional sense ever again. After fourteen months of illness I decided that I needed to work at my own pace.

The experience within the coin operated business was very useful, and I began to develop my idea of coin operated internet facilities, and also hair straighteners for pubs and clubs. It’s an idea that has been around for a number of years, but it’s usually more common abroad. I merely developed the theme. After being told I wouldn’t be able to work again, the business is great therapy (most days!).

My aspirations for the business at first were merely to help overcome my medical problem, and to provide an income to the standard I had become accustomed.

I contacted several local government schemes but unfortunately I didn’t have any luck. I was fortunate that I was left with some inheritance which helped me to fund 95% of the projects.

I think I probably should have pushed for more funding however. I found it a very tiresome process, but perhaps I should have bitten the bullet and pushed that bit harder, instead of using my own funds.

My biggest challenge has been that some days I can’t even face leaving the house. This is due to a social phobia, but it’s improving as I have friends who help me run the business. I also get frustrated as the business being generated is fantastic- who knows what it would be if I had a sales force out there looking for contracts.

My biggest success was being in the right place at the right time. I obtained the contracts for two large companies- Flamingo Land theme park and Haven Holiday Parks. To be honest, the business has started to race away and I’ve had to put the brakes on- I’ve made a conscious decision to recap my outgoings before any more business development.

To be a successful entrepreneur, it helps if you don’t sleep! Seriously though, it’s about being able to adapt, and always believe that everything is possible. You’ve heard the expression location, location, location? Well I believe it should be research, research, research!