It's been just over a year since we profiled Sunnyside Business Services. We catch up with founder Karen Caile to find the company in rude health.
How has your business been getting along since we last spoke?
I am really busy, gaining one or two new customers every week, mainly from recommendations by existing customers and networking. I have managed to build a good portfolio of my work, displayed on my website (www.dorsetwebdesign.net) giving more credibility to my business. Overall the business is moving in the direction I had hoped for.
What do you feel you have learnt about running a business and yourself in this time?
I have proved that I can work by myself, be motivated and make a success of my business. I’ve learnt that excellent customer service is most important when running a business along with being able to provide a service that other businesses are looking for.
What about being your own boss, has it turned out how you expected?
I love being my own boss but never seem to leave work like you do when you work for someone else. It is hard to switch off but then I expected this because running your own business involves many skills not just the profession that you are trading under. On the downside, I have all the responsibility to serve my customers well but positively, I am able to work the hours I choose, be here for my children when they need me and have more job satisfaction than I ever had working for someone else.
What do you feel has been your biggest achievement since starting up?
To be making a profit after only 18 months of trading, my turnover doubled compared with my first year. Gaining a number of very happy clients who recommend me all the time.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
I haven’t had any real disappointments, I have some days where things don’t go right and I wonder whether it’s all worth it. I’m sure every business has days like that.
Looking back, what would you have done differently?
I would have concentrated my time on researching the internet and web design instead of offering some accounting services.
How close have you stuck to your original business plan? Has it turned out vastly differently from what you expected?
My original business plan included some ‘Virtual Assistant’ work making use of my accounting experience but it has turned out that website design has dominated my business activities. My confidence has grown as each website has been completed and this obviously shows in my work.
How have you managed your finances?
I use Quickbooks to manage my accounts which is updated quarterly and management reports produced so that I can assess my business progress. I draw a regular amount each month for my personal use. Luckily my husband is an accountant and looks after the majority of the finances for me.
What next – where do you see your business in a year’s time?
My children start school next year so I see the business growing so that I can fill my working time and achieving a reasonable income. I see the need to outsource some of my business administration or house work so that I can concentrate on incorporating modern website technologies.
How many hours are you working now and how has this changed since you started? Is it more or less than you expected?
I work around 25-30 hours per week, made up of time during the morning and evening and some weekend work. I am working around the same amount of hours as when I started because the working time I have is restricted around family commitments.
What tip would you give someone who is thinking of starting up their own business?
Don’t expect your business to take off just like that, you need to work hard to promote yourself all the time, when you have a good reputation your business will start to grow. It took about a year before I was sure my business was going to be successful. Networking has been especially beneficial to my company.
