WHEN web developer Lyndon Garvey, became disillusioned with agency life, he re-trained as a hypnotherapist. But when this didn’t turn out to be as lucrative as he imagined, he began taking on some freelance web development clients to supplement his income. His talents on the internet couldn’t be ignored and he was forced to make a choice between his two professions.
A meeting with Business Link Northwest advisor, Yusuf Pate through a local speakers club gave him the push he needed to start work on a new business strategy for the future.
It was clear to Yusuf that web development should be the focus of Lyndon’s business and he helped Lyndon decide where his potential lay for his new company, Antlyn Ltd.
Yusuf explained: “Lyndon enjoyed the hypnotherapy work he had been doing. But as a web developer he is highly skilled in creating the valuable functionality of websites, and his level of expertise is pretty rare.”
Yusuf carried out a business diagnostic to show Lyndon where to start with the nuts and bolts of running his own business. Yusuf advised Lyndon on how to develop a business plan and identified better financial management as a critical stepping stone to getting the business on track.
Lyndon said: “Yusuf was able to talk me through everything I needed to know about managing the company’s finances and his hands on experience in the business world meant I knew I was getting advice I could trust.
"He helped me look at budgets and targets and advised me to establish an accounting system as a priority. He even referred me to three accountancy firms and I now have an accountant that I can trust so that I can concentrate on what I do best.”
Lyndon is quick to point out that the support he gains from Business Link north west is very practical and focuses on helping him build a strong foundation for his business.
“Sometimes Yusuf’s advice seems blindingly simple in hindsight,” he said.
“Like when he advised me to set up two savings accounts linked to my business account, one for tax and one for VAT – not rocket science, but it means that I can stop worrying about those things.”
Since Lyndon’s first meeting with Business Link north west, Antlyn’s turnover has grown from around £5k to around £70k. Yusuf has encouraged Lyndon to take part in networking activities and to join the Business Link north west business support directory to help increase the client base.
Yusuf said: “Lyndon is very good at what he does and is working with several web design agencies now. Antlyn’s growth in turnover is impressive, but Lyndon must sustain it while he plans the next steps for his business.”
Yusuf carried out a follow up to the business diagnostic six months ago to help Lyndon define a strategy for the company’s development and an action plan.
Lyndon said: “Working with Yusuf helps me focus on what I need to do to keep the business on track. I have now reached a stage where I need to outsource some of the work. That’s the toe in the water of expanding the business while I plan for the future.
Now, Lyndon is considering whether to relocate the company from his city centre apartment to a stand-alone office and whether to continue to operate as a freelancer or recruit permanent staff and become a ‘virtual agency’.
He added: “It’s great to know that I have an expert that I can call whenever I need to, and I know that Business Link will always provide the information I’m looking for or a bit of sound advice.”