Real people with real businesses

Lynn Munro
http://www.absoluteenergy.co.uk/

LYNN MUNRO - early 50s, married, two children at university. Nurse for almost
30 years.

Before the Enterprise Island: Lynn was employed part-time with the health service and part-time as a massage therapist. Wanted to set up “Morpeth Holistic Therapies” with Sandra Richardson, offering ‘stress busting’ massage to companies.

After the Enterprise Island: Has turned the original concept around with the launch, on her own, of ‘Absolute Energy.’ The focus of the business is energising
the work force through massage therapy. Plans include taking on a team of therapists. Has already got customers.

What Lynn had to say about the Enterprise Island: I couldn’t have started my business without the Enterprise Island Enterprise Island. I would have given up, especially when Sandy had to drop out. I have never received so much encouragement in my life before. All the other Islanders and Iain and the rest of his team were so supportive and generous in their praise of what we were doing. Many of the people I’ve spoken to about the Enterprise Island have asked me when the next one is being held so they can try to get on it. My sons are both doing business degrees and they want to take part in one as well.

Dean and Angela Buick
http://theenchantmentfactory.co.uk/

Before the Enterprise Island: Both qualified and experienced in hospitality and catering, Dean and Ange had given up work to concentrate on setting up a Santa Home Visits service.

After the Enterprise Island: Turned the original concept on its head and now have two businesses, one for the day-to-day work, the other is a franchise potential. Have launched “The Enchantment Factory” offering visits from The Lucky Sweeps and King Dean, as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Are developing the franchise potential.

What Dean and Ange had to say about the Enterprise Island: Before the Enterprise Island, we felt like we were dabbling in the business and not quite getting there. Now it’s real. We’re more positive and focused and feel like we’re equipped to deal with anything. Our business idea is now more sustainable as a result of what we learned. The Santa business gave us work for 50 days a year where as now we have a plan for 12 months’ work. With help from Iain and the other mentors, we’ve become bolder and more resourceful. We used to feel that if we asked someone for help, it meant we were failing but we know now that’s not true. And when we ask for advice now, we take what we want and ignore the rest.

Malcolm and Jeanette Goodman
http://www.kiteman.co.uk/

MALCOLM AND JEANETTE GOODMAN, in their 50s, grown-up children.

Before the Enterprise Island: Malcolm, a recently retired electronics engineer, has
been flying kites since the 1970s and now owns a world class collection. Last year, he and Jeanette (who has also taken early retirelment), moved into former B&B premises with a view to turning the ground floor into a kite museum. Malcolm hoped the Enterprise Island Enterprise Island would help them access funding for the venture.

After the Enterprise Island: The Goodmans have decided to fund the museum themselves, using profits from the kites workshops and festivals business that, before the Enterprise Island, they had been running on a very informal, ‘costs only’ basis. With the help of other family members, they are going to extend the product range and develop a line of kite gifts and souvenirs. Jeanette’s daughter, Jennie Sliwinski and Jennie’s partner, Dan Bean are going to set-up Kite Kids and handle the running of the schools’ and children’s workshops, making Malcolm’s
enterprise a true family business.

What Malcolm had to say about the Enterprise Island: Right at the beginning of the Enterprise Island, Iain asked me how much we I was charging to organise and run a kite festival and when I told him, he said: stick a zero on the end. We’ve been doing that ever since and nobody has said ‘no’ yet! So we’re already making more money. I’ve come on so far and so fast in 10 weeks. The Enterprise Island has given me the confidence to tackle the formal aspects of running a business that I had previously avoided. I know how to do a business plan now because of Enterprise Island.

What Jeanette had to say: We knew Malcolm was worth more than he was asking and because of the help and support he’s received through the Enterprise Island, he finally believes it, himself.

Allan Akers
http://www.omnipix.co.uk

Allan is 24, married with three children. Originally from Winchester, he met his wife after he was posted to Peterhead with the Royal Air Force. Allan went to college for a year to study psychology, design and sociology but was just biding his time until he was 17 and old enough to join the RAF which he intended to make his career. He trained as an aerospace systems operator, rose to the rank of corporal and travelled to the Falklands and elsewhere with his job which he loved but after six years in the RAF, he developed work-related asthma
and was forced to leave on medical grounds.

Allan could get another job but he believes that running his own business will mean more money, a chance to do what he wants to do and a better quality of life. He developed considerable photographic and IT expertise while in the RAF and would like to set up a business helping owners of hotels, property companies etc. to promote their enterprises using virtual internet tours. Allan has already discussed his ideas with Building Buchan and Business Gateway both of
whom, he says, have been “absolutely fantastic” and they alerted him to the Enterprise Island.

“The Enterprise Island weekend was great” he says. “My main sticking point with my
business idea is trying to explain to people what I want to do and the Speed
Dating exercise, in particular, was very useful to me. Being grilled about your
business idea over and over again, and getting positive criticism, is a great
way to focus the mind on what you really want to achieve.”