They’ve done it...
From friends and family to BT
Tuesday 6th November
A Blackburn entrepreneur's decision to set up his own business paid off within months when he secured a contract with telecommunications giant BT.
Emran Bahadur, launched Simply Creative Software Ltd in July this year, offering IT services including web design, ecommerce, bespoke software packages and databasing.
It began as a hobby for Emran, who would do work for friends and family. Eventually, word spread of his talents and recommendations led to more work being commissioned.
Then with help and support from Get Set, a No Limits initiative established to foster new and emerging business growth in Pennine Lancashire, Emran launched Simply Creative Software in the summer, and had agreed a six-month deal with BT just months later.
Emran said: "I am really enjoying running my own business, I needed a fresh focus. Getting to work with BT is far beyond what I expected to achieve in my first year."
He added: "The support I have received from No Limits has been fantastic. They pointed me in the right direction, advising me on the different types of insurance, and giving me support raising funds and putting a plan together.
"I would recommend that anyone starting out in business looks them up."
Rona McFall, Get Set manager for No Limits, said: "Emran is a great role model for the No Limits programme.
"He had a particular talent, and an idea that he could make money from it, and we were able to give him a helping hand to get him on his way.
"Already he is proving himself, as his work with BT shows, and we are delighted that it has worked out so well for him."
