Natalie Klausen is founder and director at Preston-based property management company Let's Abode. Natalie received support through the Boost Flying Start programme to establish the company.
She is now looking to scale her business and recently employed her first member of staff, with plans to recruit further employees. Natalie shares her business story and tips for those looking to establish their own company.
As part of the Flying Start programme, I attended lots of workshops both online and face to face prior to the global pandemic. I had regular meetings with my business adviser, who provided help and guidance with some of the things I was not familiar with which took some of the stresses away. I was also connected to local networking events which helped me to build my connections.
All the coaches who run the different workshops offer help and support if further assistance is required. They connected us to Lancaster University who we have built a good relationship with and have had students work with us through the Unite Plus programme. We are also interviewing with them again this week as we have been successful with Lancashire Cyber Foundry.
Michelle Mone. She came from a humble beginning and built a multi million pound business that started from scratch. She had a young family but she was not deterred by any challenges or obstacles she faced, She continued to go for what she wanted and made it happen. She has since been made a life peer: Baroness Mone of Mayfair in the City of Westminster.
I always wanted to be my own boss as I am highly motivated to succeed. When I worked for a national housing group, I won the ‘Peoples Choice’ award at the annual awards ceremony and it spurred me on to set up my business Let’s Abode.
I was being approached by landlords and investors who were asking me to work with them so I thought I needed to put this into practice. I have been brought up with a motivated family where if you work hard you can be successful.
I was recently successful with my application to go on the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme and I am surrounded by likeminded go getters.
I start the day with a strong coffee before heading to the gym to get me prepped for the day ahead.
It is important then to have a good breakfast and eat well to keep the mind sharp and active. When I hit the office everything is prepared so I can hit the ground running.
Lancashire has a good network of businesses that are supportive to one another. There are lots of exciting opportunities including those brought about by the Northern Powerhouse and Levelling Up.
The city living strategy in Preston will see it become a vibrant place for professionals to live and work. The major redevelopments that are ongoing in Blackpool and the possibility of the Eden Project in Morecambe will attract a lot of investment to the area too.
Utilise the experience and knowledge that Boost has to offer. There are a lot of people there who specialise in different things which can really help you when you are setting up and it can become a minefield when you are spinning all the plates as a start-up business owner.
Would you like to see your business grow? So would we. To speak to someone from the Growth Hub about business support, contact Boost online or call 0800 488 0057.
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