Why did you become a Dream High panel member?

As a Dream High client before I knew what Dream High was about I was surprised to learn that businesses would be helping other businesses that one day might become their competition. It was encouraging to be asked to become a panel member and recognised as having a needed skill set and in all honesty I thought that I would be able to get some more business contacts. I think that having struggled to get my business going I thought that I needed to get myself out there and brave the unknown!

I undertook panel training and then it started to click that the idea of helping other people get a break and overcome their obstacles was a worthwhile pursuit for the good of the community and as I was in working and living in the area I knew the barriers of not knowing who or where to turn to. There's also an element of self preservation through helping the greater good. The big draw really were the principles especially the free service and advice. At the time I was living in Fairfield and seeing the businesses struggle it was clear to me that there is always someone else who is worst off and I wanted to let them know that this resource existed so it could help them as it had helped me.

As a member or business within the East Liverpool community, what is your involvement in this community?

I used to live in Fairfield when I first moved here 4 years ago. I’ve since move on but my business e-blueprint is in Fairfield at the Liverpool Innovation park and I have ties with people throughout the area.
I now chair Dream High so my focus is making sure the project is funded and runs well and people are engaged to help other businesses get off the ground or help struggling businesses get themselves back on track.

What are your top tips to starting a business

1) Try not to have too much debt or overheads as you can’t develop quickly enough

2) To start up be truly excellent at one thing, get some money for it, do it again and again, market it and then look to develop further

3) Dependent on your business and how good you are at selling, setting up takes 3 – 4 times longer than you think, costs are pretty much the same

4) Its hard to get business, practice, know your prices and why you are charging that price for them

5) Its stressful and working flat out – generally does no good, be steady, plan your approach, sleep well and try and be upbeat and smile (harder than you think when things aren't working)

6) Use the different support agencies to help bounce your ideas off - they are there to help

7) Have a simple ‘to do’ list and deal with one thing at a time, do it thoroughly and strike it off. Keep your ‘to do’ lists and look back at certain points in the year, be proud of what you achieve – its easy to forget

8) Meet people and network – it’ll become more natural the more you do it

9) Talk with people more – don’t bottle things up

10) Working at home is lonely, if you have too make sure you get out of the house!