The Real Life Entrepreneur campaign aims to raise the profile of the entrepreneurs who are running their own businesses, creating jobs and generating wealth to pay taxes.

Essex FSB wishes to highlight the successful entrepreneurs among the 68,000 small businesses in Essex, Havering and Redbridge.

Starting Companies

Real Life Entrepreneurs are people like Essex FSB Chairman Iain Wicks who, not content with developing a family run jam, pickle and chutney manufacturing business in Clacton-on-Sea which now supplies major supermarkets, has completed an extensive course to qualify as a personal trainer.

He launched that new business in September and is already signing up clients.

Does this mean Essex FSB will be punching even more above its weight on behalf of the county's small businesses?

Finding Niche Markets

For Real Life Entrepreneurs to succeed they need the right infrastructure in place which includes fast, reliable broadband.
Chelmsford based FSB member Gary Disley (pictured far left) of FibreWifi saw this gap in the market and worked with Essex County Council and Maldon District Council to launch a highly successful service across the Maldon District last year and this August saw 100 mbps wireless broadband launched in Uttlesford District Council's area by Saffron Walden MP Sir Alan Haselhurst (third for right).
In just one month nearly 1,000 businesses and residents signed up for the new service!

Winning Awards By Inventing The RIGHT Products!

But it isn't just starting a new business which makes you an entrepreneur as Brentwood FSB member Stuart Hall (pictured with team members Judy Knott, Emily Anderson,Amanda Barnden and Judge Daniel Begg) demonstrated when his firm ESL won the Top Innovator Award at the Essex Business Excellence Awards 2011.

Stuart and his team have developed esPAY, a Software as a Service Payroll system for small businesses.

Judge Lorraine Phair, Group Managing Director of Pursuit Finance said "ESL has devised a unique product offering the ability to run a company payroll through your phone.

"Their product has been so well thought out that no other product in today's market can touch it.

"From the detail and energy of their presentation to the marketing strategy they are a company which will achieve its goals."

esPAY is the first SaaS payroll solution of its kind in the UK allowing business owners to run their own payroll online, 24/7 at exceptionally low cost. Details at www.espay.co.uk.

Cheers! Essex FSB member brews Best Beer in Britain

When John Boyce, pictured with business partner Ruth, O'Neill, was left looking for work when The Romford Brewing Company closed down he decided to setup his own brewery.
The Mighty Oak Brewing Company was soon thriving from its premises at an industrial estate in Hutton, Brentwood and was ready for expansion.
Brentwood Council planners refused permission for him to merge the adjacent empty unit with his existing brewery so he moved the firm to new premises in Maldon where his range of Real Ales has won County and Regional Awards.
In August his mild, Oscar Wilde, won the Supreme Champion Award at the Campaign for Real Ale National Awards.
So Cheers to more success for one of our local breweries
More details from www.mightyoakbrewing.co.uk

Entrepreneurs help others succeed

Essex FSB member Ross Bannister believes in giving young people a chance to succeed and his Thurrock based firm The BCS Group puts that belief into action with three Top Apprentices in four years.
Pictured are Murrey Steers, Best Electrical Apprentice Havering College 2007,Jake Beasley, Best Electrical Apprentice South Essex College 2010, Ross Bannister, Senior Partner BCS Electrical and Telecommunication Engineers, David Hinton, Best Electrical Apprentice South Essex College 2008.
Details at www.bcsgroup.org

Entrepreneurs support the community too and prove to be winners!

The team at the Dragon Enterprise Hub in Progress Road, Leigh-on-Sea, entered a float in the Southend Carnival and won the top prize.

Dragon Enterprise Hub provides easy in, easy out fully serviced office space plus storage facilities for small businesses.

Mid and North West Essex FSB Branch Chairman Glenys Chatterley, who runs Morestan Event Management in Chelmsford has reached the finals of the Mid Essex business Awards Community Category.

She reached the finals after raising more than £10,000 for Farleigh Hospice through 12 different challenges during her 50th year, including wing-walking, and then talking about her experiences to raise more cash for her chosen charity!

Thinking "Outside the Box"

Real Life Entrepreneurs are not afraid to think "outside the box"  which is what Essex FSB member Charles Montlake's (pictured far left) firm Use The Sun of Harlow did.

Use The Sun  is living up to its name by inventing a solar powered car port to recharge electric vehicles.
Built by fellow Essex FSB member Gary Jennings (far right) from SAS Systems of Billericay the first car port was opened at the CEME Conference Centre in Rainham by Transport Minister Norman Baker MP (third from left.
electric vehicle owners pay for their charge using a mobile phone and when the car port is not charging cars it is earning owners money by feeding into the National Grid.
More details from www.usethesun.co.uk

Sustainable Businesses

Successful entrepreneurs create sustainable businesses that provide employment and boost the local economy which is what Essex FSB member Danbury Fencing has been doing for 40 years.

Now run by sisters Lucie Young and Sarah Fothergill, daughters of the firm's founder, welcomed Essex County Council Chairman Rodney Bass (pictured with Sarah) to a Hog Roast celebration which raised £1,500 for Farleigh Hospice.

Latest News

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Comments

If you have comments on this issue please send your views to Essex FSB Development Manager Keith Brown.