A MUM-of-five and her builder partner have pooled their expertise to open an indoor activity centre for under-12s.
Our Funhouse is the brainchild of Helen Rae and Mike Stephens, who were inspired to set up their own business after visiting a play centre with their two-year-old daughter Isabella and realising they could put together something better.
The centre in Middlesbrough was a year in the planning and building.
Ms Rae was hit by repeated setbacks, ranging from obtaining change of use planning permission for the site, to the lack of finance currently available from the banks.
She said: “It hasn’t been easy, it has been a real fight – a fight with everybody. Nobody wants to lend any money at the moment.
“I’ve had so many knockbacks. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions.”
She turned to Business Link for practical help and advice about potential funding sources and information on putting together a business plan.
She said: “Our vision was big and I had a tough time securing finance and planning permission but my Business Link account manager has supported me and advised me every step of the way.” Mr Stephens’ work as a builder-joiner meant the centre could be put together exactly as the couple imagined.
Ms Rae said: “We thought that we could improve on what was out there for children.
“We had a clear vision of what we wanted to achieve and thought that with Mike’s extensive knowledge of the building trade and running his own business this venture would be a success.
“He did 90% of it. He built all of it and got his colleagues in different trades to come in.”
The centre is equipped with attractions for toddlers through to children aged 12, including one of the largest sports courts in the area, slides, a ball pool and softplay areas.
Our Funhouse is open seven days a week and currently employs nine people. Ms Rae says she has been inundated with bookings for children’s parties and is confident that staff numbers will expand as more people realise the centre is there.
Business Link account manager Stephen Gibson said: “I worked with Helen to help get her idea off the ground and have been on hand to help throughout the last 12 months.
“Helen has overcome many obstacles and her determined attitude is an example to all prospective business owners.”
