PROFRESHNAL INTERVIEW
Janet Kenny wanted to develop a business that would enable her to choose her own hours so as to fit in with her lifestyle, which included studying part time and raising her four children. The result was a new cleaning venture - ProFreshNal. In this video, Janet explains he challenge she faced, the help she needed and how her business is developing.
Support provided under the NDWA funded Business Start-Up Initiative
Background:
Janet Kenny originally developed the idea of starting her own business after discussions with friends. She wanted to do something that would enable her to choose her own hours so as to fit in with her lifestyle, which included studying part time for two separate subjects, and raising her four children.
A small cleaning business therefore seemed like the ideal choice: she could work locally, as and when she had time available, and she could do so without having to commit to substantial investment in premises, capital equipment or staff.
Owing to her previous career in the banking industry, Janet had already been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau, so this gave her an advantage in the domestic market because customers would welcome the additional peace of mind associated with formal CRB verification. Out of this idea, her new business – ProFreshNal – was born.
Support Provided:
Janet spent two months prior to the launch of the business ensuring that she had taken account of all the relevant considerations such as business planning, taxation issues, marketing and branding.
“Before starting up, it's really important to get the basics right,” says Janet. “That's why it was so helpful to work with an Enterprise4All adviser who came out to see me; having help that comes to you really makes a difference. We looked at a range of issues, analysing the market and the competition, and deciding which unique selling points to emphasise. My adviser also introduced me to other very useful forms of support from organisations like Business Link and the Get Started programme in Blackpool. Together, the various support agencies have made a really important contribution to my business and to my own personal management skills and experience.”
Results:
Janet launched ProFreshNal in January 2009 and has found healthy levels of demand within the local domestic market.
“The business is going very well” notes Janet. “I'm very busy and pleased with the progress I've made in a few short months.
“My CRB status certainly helps. In this line of work, customers are placing a great deal of faith in you when they entrust you with access to their homes, so it's nice to be able to present them with something that gives them confidence and a sense of security.
“The business is doing exactly what I wanted it to; it's giving me the freedom to earn an income in a way that fits neatly around my family commitments and my continuing studies. Financially, it's been a good move, but it's rewarding in other ways, too. It gives me the chance to meet new people, and it's giving me some really valuable experience of what's involved in running a small business. It's certainly a challenge, but it's one that I really enjoy.”
For more information about the company’s work, please call Janet on 0781 220 6927.