Tom Bivens

Name:

Tom Bivens

Business:

C B Cleaning Services

Web site:

Years in business:

0.5

Number of businesses:

1

After college I was constantly on the look out for a job that I could gain fulfillment out of. At the time my mum was about to be made redundant so we put our heads together to try and come up with an idea for a business.

We eventually came up with the idea of a cleaning business to service the whole of the Tees Valley specialising in commercial and domestic cleaning. In September last year together with my mum we drew up a business plan and with limited funding made a go of it.

I put together a basic flyer and door dropped them to potential customers. I couldn’t believe the response. We were inundated with numerous requests and the business got off to a great start. My mum recently passed away, but it really spurred me on to make success out of the business for her.

Before I started out I had to face some stiff challenges. I’ve never been confident about speaking to new people and wasn’t really the talkative, outgoing type. I thought people looked down on me. But eventually as my confidence grew I realised that I was respected and people would listen if I had something to say.

I love running my own business, I have complete freedom to come up with new ideas to push the company in exciting directions. It’s definitely demanding as well, but I’m always switched on, thinking about the business and how to improve it. If you run your own company you rarely clock off.

I’ve made mistakes but this is all part of the learning process. Making mistakes is natural, the important thing is to adapt and not make them again.

I had a big office contract but they were always looking to undercut me and constantly looking to reduce my rates. I was hesitant and as a result lost the contract. It made me realise that I need to keep ahead of the field and make sure I know what my competitors are offering in comparison.

The secret of being a good entrepreneur is to always be on alert, looking and thinking of new ideas, markets and opportunities. If you don’t your company is at risk of becoming stagnant.

If you have an idea all you need is the belief to make it happen. If I was to give one tip to a budding entrepreneur it would be to have confidence and just go out and do it.

My dad has been an invaluable support to me offering me both business guidance but also encouragment throughout.

The main successes I have enjoyed have been simply getting the wheels of the business in motion and seeing an idea come to life. Getting over my lack of confidence has been a massive plus as well.

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