VERINA Horner has a plumb job - on any given day you can find the 38-year-old Middlesbrough mum doing everything from servicing boilers to fixing leaky pipes.
Verina is the woman behind Teesside plumbing firm Miss Plumb - and she’s hoping she’s in for a real purple patch after winning a competition backed by the Evening Gazette.
Build a Business was launched by Middlesbrough Council and supported by nebusiness as media partner, to offer one Teesside entrepreneur a business base for six months - for free.
She launched Miss Plumb last year with her partner Wayne Glover, also a plumber, after a spell of unemployment - and the pair, who have a five-year-old daughter, haven’t looked back since.
“The company is doing well - I’m honest with people, I always say be honest, open and transparent and that comes across to the clients,” said Verina.
“It was a friend who first said set your own business up.
“We started looking in to it and finding people who could help us as well as the help of the family.
“Because of my experience, it all fitted in and pulled together.
“Winning the competition, we hope it will open some doors.”
The pair have worked hard to get the business up and running, even creating their own website.
They’ve chosen space in the Southlands Centre as part of their prize and have already created an office area in there.
Verina started out in the trade as an apprentice plumber in 1989, working for Middlesbrough Council. Since then, she’s worked in the domestic and trade sectors - and she’s also a qualified building services engineer.
Miss Plumb’s customers and the quality of the work she and Wayne provide are her priorities.
“People seem to be finding us,” said Verina.
“I feel like my wings are flying and I’m getting ready to show what I can do.”
Martin Shepherd, Corporate Assets Officer at Middlesbrough Council, said: “We were very impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of Verina and the hard work she has put in to building her plumbing and heating business since last year. Her drive, enthusiasm and initiative has provided her with the ability to set up her own business during what were difficult times and it is clear to see that Verina and partner Wayne are already taking the business from strength to strength.
“This competition was all about giving the opportunity to an individual or business to enable their entrepreneurial idea progress, or to help expand an existing business.
“This is why we were pleased to announce Miss Plumb as the winner, this prize will enable her to expand the business by moving in to accommodation at the Southlands Centre, part of the Enterprise Centre portfolio.
“Miss Plumb is a fantastic example of how passion can help you build a bright future and with some impressive expansion plans we are hoping that the support we are providing will enable her to achieve these.”
