Success stories
Barnoldswick's Justin ‘darts ahead’ to become No Limits Constructing the Future’s 180th business start-up.
Wednesday 26th May
No Limits’ Constructing the Future project has hit the bull’s eye by helping out 180 new start-up businesses since it began in 2007.
Constructing the Future offers new or established construction businesses a huge range of support and advice, making it easier for them to grow and thrive.
For local plumber and heating technician, Justin Whalley, 37, from Barnoldswick, Constructing the Future was instrumental in him setting up in business on his own.
They provided him with a grant to help with training and to gain some extra qualifications after he started his business, Justin Whalley Plumbing and Heating specialist, in January 2010.
He says: “I worked for Skipton properties, a big firm in Yorkshire, on and off since I left school doing plumbing and heating. Then the recession came and, last year, I was made redundant. I wasn’t happy just to sit back and claim unemployment benefit so I decided going it alone was the best way.
“I heard about No Limits and got in touch with Constructing the Future. I found out there was a chance of getting a grant for training. The next thing I knew I had some money and was able to get some extra qualifications. There’s so much you can do in plumbing nowadays, from gas fires and cookers to pressurised cylinders and solar powered heating. The options are endless.”
Justin got his business off the ground by advertising in local papers, magazines and by old fashioned word of mouth. He adds: “I know I’m a good plumber – I’m neat, tidy, I know what I’m doing and my after sales service is good. People are usually very happy to recommend me. Word of mouth is obviously very important in building a customer base.”
Setting up on his own has been a lot of hard work but Justin is glad he has and is positive for the future: he says “There’s not much out there at the moment if you want to work for someone else so I decided that going it alone was the best way. When the work comes in the money is definitely better. If you’re working for an employer, you’re on a set wage. If you’re self-employed you can earn in a day what you’d usually earn in a week if the work’s there.
“If I could do anything differently, I probably wouldn’t have worked for a firm for as long as I did. I’d have set up on my own a long time ago. But I’ve done it now I’m looking forward to the future. It’s hard work but the future’s bright I hope.”
On No Limits, he adds: “The help that was made available to me definitely helped to give me the confidence to get up and out and get the qualifications I need to be a success. To do that you need to have money behind you but being made redundant, I didn’t have too much. That’s where No Limits stepped in. I found the service as useful as you can get really. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without them. I’d definitely recommend to anybody reading this who is thinking about starting up in business to see what they can do for you as well.”
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