Nathan catches the entrepreneurial wave
Apr 15 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
WOULD-BE entrepreneurs throughout the Tees Valley are queuing up to join the Gazette-backed campaign to inspire people of all ages to start their own business.
The If We Can You Can competition to find an idea deserving support is well underway, with a growing web-based dossier of success stories from those that have already taken the plunge in to the commercial market.
For 24-year-old Nathan Robinson, founder of Saltburn-based Barclay Elsdon Lettings, it was a passion for surfing that helped him catch the entrepreneurial wave.
He started his career working for an agency in his home town and moved on to a larger, dedicated lettings office on Teesside. “But a lot of land lords from Saltburn were still asking me to find them tenants!
“They expected a more bespoke service but larger estate agents couldn't deliver this as they focused their time on residential sales and lettings came second,” says Mr Robinson.
“Then an office became available in Saltburn, which is quite rare, so I started planning everything at the end of last year then started Barclay Elsdon Lettings in January.”
His former employer proved hugely supportive - even pulling out of residential lettings to leave the market wide open.
“He has 25 years experience so he helped me with my business plan, set up a meeting for me with his bank manager and even came with me.”
Mr Robinson admits that the first couple of weeks were “scary when no one knows who you are there and you are sat waiting for the phone to ring”.
“Now I am covering Loftus to Saltburn, Guisborough to Redcar.
“I think the mistakes I have made have stemmed from sales calls coming in offering advertising. I have spent money where I didn't need to.”
Having devoted six days a week to get the business up and running he’s now reaping the benefits.
“I can get away to surf at lunchtime sometimes in the week as well as weekends, which is great.
“I haven't been involved in any other business although my parents ran a veterinary clinic which has given me confidence.
“I would say word of mouth and networking have been the strongest tools. Now, I would like to move along to other seaside towns like Whitby and Scarborough.”
The If We Can You Can campaign offers the chance for two Gazette readers to enter the running for a bespoke business support package worth £2,000, including a monthly face-to-face clinic for six months with the region’s leading businessmen and women, and an iPhone.
Winners and finalists will enjoy a sponsored place at the Entrepreneurs Forum annual conference in May, worth £250 each.
The North-east has one of the lowest rates in the UK for enterprise activity and One NorthEast has set a target of creating as many as 22,000 new VAT registered businesses by 2016.
To kick-start the campaign, established entrepreneurs are being invited to tell their success stories at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk.
Anybody thinking of launching a business could become the “face of entrepreneurship 2009” by submitting details of their big idea at the same address. Alternatively, entry forms can be collected from the Evening Gazette offices in Borough Road, Middlesbrough. Closing date is May 5.
