In view of the early success of BEB and its dedication to training and taking specific independent advice on board, all of which has been provided by Business Link, the following Case Study has been prepared and published by Business Link East Midlands. 

LEGAL CONSULTANCY GOES HIGHER AND HIGHER IN ITS FIRST YEAR
Using 17 years experience in the lift industry, Beverley Brazier has set up a successful consultancy which offers companies specialised legal and contract support without having to have their own in-house department.

“The construction industry has to deal with huge tenders and contracts and companies need to understand them properly, negotiating terms and agreeing liabilities. I offer that specialist service to medium-sized firms who don’t need full time legal support,” Beverley explained.

She started her career as a legal executive specialising in contract law and civil litigation and eventually adding divorce cases to her workload: “I decided that divorce cases wasn’t really for me so I moved into a legal, contractual and commercial environment and ended up working for a number of major lift manufacturers including, Express, Otis and Thyssen. Then with two colleagues I was involved in a management buyout of a company importing and installing passenger lifts and escalators.”

In summer 2008 Beverley decided to branch out on her own, setting up BEB Consultancy (UK) Ltd: “I was sure that I had the qualifications and experience that people wanted. I started off with one client in Northampton and through contacts in the industry sector, I had eight clients within four months. The company now has long term contracts with two of those clients, who pay a monthly retainer.”

Beverley is also offering her services to small and medium-sized Midlands based companies outside the construction industry who need legal and contract advice. As a member of Northamptonshire Chamber and the Federation of Small Businesses, she is networking to meet potential new clients.

Launching BEB Consultancy, Beverley made use of Business Link’s free courses for new businesses.

“I approached Business Link for initial advice and support and it was great to get so much free help. I have always been a bit sceptical about getting things for nothing but this was the first time in my life I had been provided with really valuable support for nothing.

“The courses, especially the marketing and financial courses, really do get you thinking outside of the box.  As a direct result, I marketed and costed my services differently. That greatly assisted in the company securing long term contracts, which will make up the lion’s share of income in 2009/10.

“The one to one advice from Business Link is also very useful.  It’s not just about the business but about personal survival, opening other avenues and putting you in touch with networking groups and like-minded people.

“My one mistake was that I rushed into my corporate image and marketing too soon. This is an area I had no idea about and I wish I had attended the marketing course first.  Having attended the course and listened to others, I re-branded and changed my image.  There was a financial penalty so my advice is to think before you jump in.”

Beverley’s top tips for other people starting out in business?

• Investigate all that is available to you and take it before you make any big decisions. We do not know it all and it’s refreshing to have someone else’s opinions and thoughts.
• Just believe in yourself and go for it!  You will have ‘dark days’ but get networking, talking to others and learning from their experiences.
• “Starting my own business has been a massive learning curve and hard work but I would not swap it for the world.  You are your own boss and there is no better feeling,” Beverley said.