take 3 GR8 Newra Recycling


Eddie Ford, aged 43, from Newport, has lived at Great Newra Farm with his wife Elaine for 20 years. During that time, they had problems with the disposal of waste from the farm and retail outlet, with disposal companies either overcharging or using unsuitable vehicles for the job.


Eddie decided to take matters into his own


hands and set up his own disposal and recycling company, Great Newra Transport & Recycling Ltd, earlier this year, by using support and advice from Centre for Business. Eddie attended the centre’s business


start-up courses in order for him to learn the concepts behind running a limited company. He worked with a business advisor to develop a comprehensive business plan, including financials, and was also helped through employment legislation in order for him to draw up employment contracts for the staff he required. Great Newra Transport & Recycling collects


and transports all types of recyclable materials such as cardboard and plastics. It offers a free collection service to clients and supply processing centres all over the UK. The company’s aim is to divert waste away from the landfill and to


promote greener waste disposal. Now, Great Newra Transport & Recycling


employs six people covering a 60-mile radius from its base in Newport and uses up to five rental as well as company-owned vehicles, which are smaller than its competitors and enables better access to clients in rural Wales. The company has also provided specialist


courier services for companies like Wild in Art and Bristol Zoo, having transported and positioned the Newport Super Dragons, Lions in Bournemouth and Gorillas in Bristol, which are sold to raise money for charity. Eddie said: “From such a simple idea it’s been


amazing to see the company grow so quickly in such a short space of time. I think its rapid success is completely down to the support and guidance I have been given by Centre for Business, because without them I wouldn’t have known where to start! “Now the company’s going from strength-


to-strength and I’m working with the Centre to apply for Wrap Funding, which will enable us to look into buying more of our own vehicles, increase our services and boost the number of our employees in the future.”


Erin’s Jewellery


Erin Martin, aged 31, started making jewellery as a hobby while going through a period of unemployment and job searching in the financial services sector. As the jobs market was so poor, Erin


decided to start selling her jewellery as an alternative income to employment. She had always dreamt of developing her own business and, in February 2011, she took the plunge and opened her own online shop, www.erinsjewellery.com, which sells her contemporary pieces and fashion jewellery. To set up the business, Erin received


support from Centre for Business as part of its Taste of Enterprise programme. Taste of Enterprise allows budding entrepreneurs to produce products and services that they can then ‘test trade’ in the safe and supportive environment of its two ‘Enterprising Art & Business’ shops in Ebbw Vale and Merthyr Tydfil. All the sales each test trader makes are then given back to them to live from the profit or invest back into their business. Through the programme, Erin received


support to develop a business plan, learned how to do cash forecasting and was assisted with the transition stage from benefits to business. She also received support to claim self


employment credit for 12 weeks while the business developed. Now she plans to focus on establishing


Erin’s Jewellery and enhancing its reputation as a go-to for original but affordable pieces of jewellery. Erin said: “It was a nerve-wracking step


to break out on my own but with the help I’ve received from the Centre for Business I know it was the right decision. I’ve learnt so much about running a business and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved so far and I’m very grateful for all of the help and support that I’ve had.” “I really do think that, with the right


support and guidance, it’s possible for anyone with a good idea to start a business and get out of the benefit traps and get into financial and social independence.”


THEbusiness QUARTER 33


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