Andrew Wallace freely admits that a career in enterprise never featured in his career game plan until the opportunity presented itself.

A business graduate of the University of Ulster, Andrew had his career mapped out when he accepted an offer from PriceWaterhouseCoopers to join their graduate management training programme and train as a chartered accountant. He was part of a small consultancy group within the organisation that worked closely with SMEs to provide bespoke accounting and IT procedures to facilitate timely and accurate management reporting functions.

One such client was Boomer Industries, then owned by Kenneth & James Boomer. Following the departure of their Company Accountant the brothers were anxious to ensure that the management reporting function could be maintained and built on. It was during this time that the idea of a management team buy out of the business was first proposed. With his accounting expertise already complimenting the existing management team, Andrew was approached to join the team of four in the takeover of the business.

Initially excited by the prospect, Andrew then went through a period of serious soul searching. He was already established on a career path that met the criteria for his ideal job. He enjoyed the variety of engaging with so many different client companies and never envisaged being employed as a Company Accountant. Being an accountant he was keenly aware of the high risks of entrepreneurship while his future within PWC was secure. Over a period of time, Andrew was encouraged by other members in the team to recognise the value of this opportunity: the new role would have a degree of autonomy; he would be a critical decision maker with influence over the future direction of the company and; the potential rewards were high.

So it was that in 2001 at the age of twenty seven, and five years after graduation, Andrew became Financial Director and shareholder in Boomer Industries. Since then his fears of being constrained into the narrow role of a Company Accountant have been well and truly allayed. He has overseen the restructuring of the new Company, developed and implemented an unrivalled IT system that incorporates a sophisticated CRM function, he has raised the finance and project managed Boomer Industries move into a purpose built state of the art factory and he has been behind the drive into new export markets in Dubai and the Middle East. The past nine years have been anything but tedious and humdrum as the new management team have developed innovative management practices and doubled the turnover in a controlled growth strategy designed to maximise wealth creation for the six shareholders.

The once reluctant entrepreneur is now an ambassador for entrepreneurship and admits that it would be a real struggle to go back to the role of an employee. His advice to any would-be entrepreneur is to always take the time to assess the risk factors and arrive at an informed decision. To quote a well-known idiom - if the risk is manageable, go for it!

The other key mantra to the Boomer business philosophy is the importance of building relationships, not just with customers, but also with suppliers, bankers, government agencies, neighbouring business and other stakeholders.

The name Marturion means to bear witness and is particularly apt given the origins of this company founded by Dr Andy Barr in 2001. Despite outsourcing becoming commonplace in the eighties and nineties, medical device manufacturers were still reluctant to entrust the highly guarded secrets of engineering design to companies outside their control. Marturion set out to revolutionise the industry by partnering with internationally renowned industrial design companies to offer a comprehensive design service based on the overriding principle of trust.

The willingness of giants such as Glen Dimplex, Smith & Nephew Medical and Trivirex International to entrust their new product development entirely to outsourced services lent substantial credibility to Marturion’s business offering and the company has seen unprecedented growth in turnover over the past three years. Some of the high street products that Andy and the team have been responsible for bringing to the market include the Gro-Clock Sleep Trainer and the One Switch Standby OFF Adapter.

The business has developed organically under the strategic guidance of Andy and now offers clients the opportunity to outsource their manufacturing and quality control process to Marturion. The Marturion design team have also acquired the intellectual rights to a blood pressure monitor and manufacture and market this product worldwide. At the time of writing three new product innovations are in the pipeline for launch within the next twelve months.

Marturion now employs thirty people and trades out of Knockmore Hill Industrial Park in Lisburn providing goods and services to markets as widespread as the Far East, Africa and the Americas. This global business means a round the clock operation. At 2am Marturion starts communicating with customers in China right through to 1am when the US market closes for the day.

Even before the inception of Marturion, Andy Barr was no stranger to enterprise. As Research Assistant with Queen’s University Belfast from 1991, his role was to develop a fledgling spin out company, Advance Medical Technology (now known as Amtec). After four years the incubation process was complete and Andy became the first employee of the business and a subsequent shareholder. However it was participation in the prestigious Leaders for Tomorrow Programme which offers young professionals the opportunity to study at Harvard University and an industrial placement that proved to be the turning point and the seeds of Marturion were sown.

So would Andy say he is living the dream? As a six year old Andy was enthralled by the story of Steve Austin, the astronaut who inspired the Six Million Dollar Man series. Austin was severely injured in an air crash and “rebuilt”. His right arm, both legs and the left eye were replaced by "bionic" implants that enhanced his strength, speed and vision far above human norms.

This childhood fascination influenced his academic choices and Andy graduated with a BSc in Electronic Engineering with specialism in the engineering of medical devices, followed quickly with a PhD. Whilst he envisaged himself as an academic working in field of robotic prosthetics, he readily accepts that entrepreneurship is closer to the reality.

So what are the strengths of this entrepreneur- Andy Barr has demonstrated he is fearless and a risk taker, but he also accepts that luck has played a part in his success. He firmly believes that anything is possible and the challenge is to merely unlock the formula. Andy also identifies his ability to surround himself with smart people has been critical to the success of Marturion. This has been especially important given his tendancy to become totally absorbed in a project to the exclusion of all else and has facilitated him delegate more to his employees and make the move from hands on role to strategic thinker and custodian of Marturion’s future.

Irrespective of the size that Marturion grows to, Andy is faithful to one business mantra - never run out of cash: a business never founders for lack of profit, it founders for lack of cash.

As a child, Colin McMurtry enjoyed drawing and had a real flair for it. He would create designs and models and knew that this was something he wanted to pursue. By the age of fourteen he had decided being a draughtsman producing technical architectural drawings was his ambition.

Upon graduation with a HND in Building Studies 1989 from Lisburn Institute, Colin accepted a full-time job in a Belfast based architects practice and continued his academic studies on a part-time basis. It was during this time that great technological advancements were being made in the field of Computer Aided Design programming that would ultimately sound the death knell for the role of a draughtsman who could not adapt to the new technologies. Mindful of this, Colin embarked on a journey of self-directed learning trying to amass as much expertise in this field as possible.

Within a couple of years Colin had exhausted the courses available in his subject area. Coincidentally he had reached his potential within his current employment and was debating his next career move. An advertisement for a position in Hong Kong attracted his attention and sealed his fate. As one of the world's leading financial centres, Hong Kong has the greatest concentration of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region and Colin found himself honing his skills at the cutting edge of both architectural design and CAD technology.

After two years, anxious to return home to Northern Ireland and ten years after graduation, Colin realised that the time was right to persue his entrepreneurship goals. Within six weeks of arriving back in NI, 3DPix was underway and Colin’s name soon became synonymous with quality architectural design.

3DPix now has five employees and recently celebrated 10 years in business. Working closely with the construction industry, Colin and his team develop professional 3D visuals bridging the gap between paper based plans and reality. More recently the services offered has expanded to include 3D modelling and project management.

One particular feature of Colin’s success is his engagement with a variety of business support organisations. He participated in the Business Start Programme with Lisburn Enterprise Organisation. Since then, as an Invest NI client business, he has availed of the support of a Client Executive and more recently is exploring the Eastern European market with support from Lisburn City Council.

Very many of the projects that Colin McMurtry has been involved in have been recognised with industry awards and accolades, such as Woodbrook Eco Village, the first of its kind in Ireland, Enniskillen Hospital and Bristol Airport.

In offering advice to other graduates considering setting up their own business Colin recalls the words of motivational speaker Yanky Fachler and encourages people to “build your own support networks, create your own ladder and make your mark”. Colin admits there have been compromises and personal sacrifices to achieve his entrepreneurial dream. Particularly challenging has been the transition from a hands-on operational role as designer to the more strategic role of manager.

Alongside professional recognition, Colin is motivated by the flexibility entrepreneurship offers him and his family. He has a purpose built studio at his home where his business and home life happily co-exist. His children are rightly proud of their father’s role in many of the landmark buildings that now mark Belfast as a cosmopolitan city and indeed have emulated him in creating iconic cardboard cities that adorn their rural home. Likewise the financial rewards of self-employment have enabled Colin to provide for his family. The future continues to be bright for 3DPix.

Intercambio with a twist, that’s what Victoria Miller, owner of Molly’s Parlour envisioned her business would one day become.

Intercambio is the name given to Cultural Exchange Programmes by Spanish students. It simply means to come together to share a different culture and language, and in Victoria’s idea, also share music and the arts.  Her aspirations for entrepreneurship came about during her studies at Northumbria University, Newcastle where she studied Psychology.  It was during this time that she considered an opportunity to open her own coffee shop beside her friend’s boutique, but with her studies taking priority the timing wasn’t right.

Post graduation in 2005 Victoria lectured in TEFL and then decided that Madrid was where she wanted to spend some time experiencing a new culture & practising her language skills.

During her year living and working there, students often came together to exchange language lessons, all while enjoying good food in a friendly atmosphere. This would become the basis of the model for Molly’s Parlour, combining arts and music within a relaxed homely setting, surrounded by friends and enjoying quality food.  The coffee shop idea was starting to crystallise in Madrid, but it was a few more years before it could finally become a reality, as Victoria moved to Marbella to continue teaching English.

Moving back to Lisburn in 2009 became the impetus for Victoria to finally start her own coffee shop.  Having returned from her travels looking for somewhere similar to the intercambio experience, she quickly felt disappointed with the choices on offer. Many venues did not stay open late in the evenings, informal music gigs were hard to come by and the arts were not openly accessible.

Spotting a gap in the market, Victoria decided to take advice on starting her own business and signed up for the Go For It Programme.  Researching and testing her business idea through Lazy Sundays, a take away Sunday roast dinner business, she knew she had to follow her dream and start her own coffee shop, and so Molly’s Parlour was opened early 2010.

From a young age Victoria was involved in music, playing both the flute and piano, and her sibling is a keen guitar enthusiast and works as a sound engineer.  Her passion in music is highlighted by the various local acts that come and perform each Friday night at Molly’s Parlour, and they even have a house guitar that anyone can pick up and play to entertain the Lisburn crowds.  With beat poets, and Flamenco players newly added to the music repertoire offering, Molly’s Parlour is certainly living up to its reputation of being a ‘young & contemporary’ business.  

Winning the Graduate Into Business Programme Fly of Die award was a great achievement for Victoria and Molly’s Parlour. Recognition for her enthusiasm in her business idea was rewarded as 3 successful local dragons announced her winner.

So what can Victoria offer as advice to all those graduates out there thinking of starting their own business? “It’s a learning process and I’m still learning. Take every piece of advice anyone has ever given you, as you never know when it might become useful”.

RJL Design ‘measures up’ to the challenges of self employment

Rachel attained a first class BA Hons degree in fine and applied art with specialism in Textile design in June 2009. However after graduating Rachel was left to ponder how to turn her talent and skill into an enterprise.

Clearly Rachel had an innate ability to design and work with textiles but she had also identified that there was a limited market in this area of design work.  Having researched the market Rachel decided to up her game and merge fine art textiles with fashion accessories two of her greatest loves in life.

After making some brooches using this technique Rachel decided to put them onto eBay to identify demand. She was overwhelmed by the response her measured up range received.  Knowing she was onto something Rachel decided to develop her best seller into a signature range which meant incorporating tailors measuring tape into all of her work.

So in September 2009 Rachel decided to start making one off pieces for family and friends in an attempt to further test the market.  Having identified a real opportunity Rachel wanted to develop her business skills and hence enrolled on the Graduate Into Business Programme with Lisburn Enterprise Organisation. 

Having received mentoring support through the Graduate into Business programme and training support on the Go For It Programme, Rachel developed her knowledge of how to set up and run her own business. She also received a web package and company logo which was professionally designed through the Go For It Programme.

Having decided to formalise the business Rachel has since moved on from working at home to a studio in Lissue Industrial estate, Lisburn.  Rachel has also extended her range from the supply of brooches to also include necklaces, head pieces, rings and earrings.  Her current range, Measure Up, portrays haberdashery and accessories in unison with each other.   Each piece is hand crafted, made from tailors measuring tape and recycled fabrics which portray true beauty in mundane materials. 

Going forward Rachel wants to develop her brand, which is better made, better quality and uniquely different than mass produced pieces.  Already Rachel has received orders from other countries to include Tokyo and closer to home the UK fashion capital London.

Rachel also aims to participate in more craft and trade fairs and is currently in the process of putting together a professional catalogue which will aid her in exporting and securing orders from further afield. 

Rachel’s advice to any graduate wanting to start a business is “it’s not easy, but anything in life worth achieving isn’t.  I’ve turned my dream into a reality, and I spend my days doing what I love and getting paid for it.  Starting your own business is a challenge, but one that I’m enjoying every step of the way”

Care, Confidence, Esteem – cosmetic concerns are more than skin deep. 

With research indicating that nine in ten women have concerns about their appearance, identifying their skin in particular, it is of no surprise that demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures is on the rise.  But our fascination with skin treatments and strive for perfection is not a new concept,  the search for smoother, more youthful looking skin dates back to the time of the pharaohs, when women used salt, animal oils and alabaster to achieve smooth silky skin.  

Having spent over 18 years within the beauty industry, and 10 years specifically in aesthetic laser therapy, Jenny Flanagan is very much aware of our quest for a more youthful appearance.  Jenny opened Laser Logic, a cosmetic laser clinic, in August 2010 after spotting a potential opportunity to improve on the level of service offered within the beauty industry in Northern Ireland. 

Based at the House of Vic-Ryn complex in Lisburn, the clinic offers specialised treatments for a range of cosmetic concerns, such as skin pigmentation, veins, sun damage, unwanted hair and problem skin.  Utilising the latest technology in laser and light therapy, Laser Logic believes in treating the client not only on the outside, but on the inside too and supports the motto ‘Care, Confidence, Esteem’ that appears on the business logo. 

Keeping up with the latest technology and advances in treatment keeps Jenny focused on personal development and training. From initially completing her HND in Beauty Therapy, Jenny has invested time and effort in training and qualifications.  Her biggest achievement to date is obtaining the medical course in Laser, Light and Associated Aesthetic Therapies, making Jenny one of seven only qualified professionals in the whole of Northern Ireland.  

Looking forward to 2011 and beyond, Laser Logic looks set to expand and improve on the level of services offered to customers. Jenny is working with a number of professional associates including a cosmetic dentist to deliver teeth whitening, a qualified surgeon, who delivers injectable and dermatology care and a beauty therapist.  Establishing a clinic of excellence, with a range of treatments will be the prime focus of Jenny’s activities in 2011. 

So what advice would Jenny offer other graduates thinking of starting their own business?  “Do your research! Research your market area, your target clientele, and know your competitors. Find out what your competitors are doing, watch them, but don’t follow them.  Laser Logic was started because I wanted to do business better and offer customers more”.

Life is a series of ripples

After leaving a career in primary school teaching to raise a young family, starting her own business couldn’t have been further from Orla Hamilton’s mind. As well as the opportunity to be a full-time mum, Orla was able to explore and develop her appreciation of Irish culture and traditions and even began teaching a class in Irish set dancing. As the enthusiastic mum shared her love of Irish literature and folk tales with her children she identified a unique business opportunity that would not only bring in much needed income but also combine her Celtic interests with her creative skills.

Plagued with dry skin, Orla tried virtually every soap on the market to find a product that wouldn’t exacerbate the problem. Frustrated with her lack of success, she took matters into her own hands and began researching natural remedies. For six months she Orla dabbled with a variety of recipes – she recalls that everyone got soap in their Christmas stocking that year! Finally Orla hit on a unique formula and developed a range of organic soaps that nourish and heal the skin. Spurred on by the exuberant feedback from initial customers, Orla began trading as Organic Celtic Soaps in early 2011, something she could never have anticipated some five years ago. In the words of her favourite poet Seamus Heaney, Orla has discovered that ‘life is a series of ripples widening out from an original centre’.

Organic Celtic Soaps has already gained a loyal following with Orla selling regularly at St George’s Market, craft fairs, through selected retailers and also online.   Currently she produces six different soaps in a variety of Celtic designs. Organic Celtic Soaps are all highly moisturising, glycerine soaps made with 100% organic oils and butters and fragranced with essential oils. Orla is currently developing an Irish folklore range including the “Salmon of Knowledge” and the “Children of Lir” to target the tourist market.

The Graduate into Business Programme provided Orla with the services of a business mentor who helped her focus on the longer term objectives of the business as well as providing practical support in setting up the business. While Orla admits that it has been a steep learning curve she has absolutely no regrets. She has developed a business model that both complements her family life and feeds her Celtic passions.