Inspirational Women Q&A: Nicola Combe, Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates

Nicola retrained back in 2019 to set up Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates and provides Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Executor services to individual and families. Nicola shares her inspirational Lancashire woman in business story.

What does your business do?

We provide an affordable service to help protect you and your family. Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Executor assistance are our core services, and we provide those at the heart of our community.

Why did you start your own business?

I lost my husband to cancer in 2018 and had personal experience of the challenges you face if you don’t have up-to-date Wills and Powers of Attorney in place. Those challenges, and the costs of the services, made me determined to retrain and set up a company in 2019 that was approachable and affordable, and that also gives back.

What has been your biggest business breakthrough?

Networking. It has allowed me to meet people and for them to gain trust in me. Once we give them (or their own clients) a service, we then are able to build on that as most of our customers recommend us to their own family and friends.

What has been your proudest achievement in your business?

Two things. Winning two major awards in 2021, as voted for by my peers in my new industry. Both are recognition of what we do for our customers but also to challenge the norm and collaborate with others who work in the same field.

The second achievement is the one I am most proud of. This is the work we do and the donations we make to CancerCare North Lancashire. We give 5% from every invoice and so far have donated more than £5,000 to help their work.

What is the most effective support or guidance you have received?

“You won’t know until you give it a go”. I worked with a group of women in early 2021 and realised that this was something I could expand. They encouraged me to take on new staff and just start seeing how this could work out. And now we have five in our team, and our turnover this year is ten times what it was in our first year.

What keeps you going when things are tough?

Knowing how important our work is. Someone calls us every week with a problem. We see lots of blended families, and lots of broken families, and lots of single people, and lots of elderly people. And they all need help – we take pride in doing that and getting things sorted for them. We love to fix a problem.

What are your best 3 tips for maintaining your wellbeing?

Schedule time in your calendar every day to sit back and also to catch up on emails! Walk – I walk to the office most days and it helps me set and reset my day Talk – find someone you can offload to if you need to

What advice would you give to a female entrepreneur starting a business?

1. Take it a step at a time – things will fall into place as you go
2. Get a good mentor or sounding board – someone to keep you accountable
3. Don’t strive for perfection – good is good enough.

Website: www.morecambebaywills.co.uk

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.