Lynden kept on the go in new venture (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Lynden kept on the go in new venture

8:39am Wednesday 11th November 2009 in Business By Chris Holland

You don’t need a pinstripe business suit to become an entrepreneur. That’s one of the key messages from Bradford Council’s successful Kickstart enterprise support programme to anyone thinking of starting a small business in the district.

For individuals facing redundancy as a result of the recession, self-employment can be an alternative to unemployment.

Kickstart has already helped more than 950 new businesses to get going, and many have been set up following job losses.

Lynden Bailey, 29, of North Dean, Keighley, lost his job 16 months ago. Today, thanks to intensive free support from the Kickstart programme, he faces a much brighter future running his own small business.

He has begun trading as Everything Goes, a locally-based house clearance business with a strong commitment to recycling.

While thinking about setting up in business, Lynden spotted a story about Kickstart in the Telegraph & Argus and called the programme’s free phone number (0800 9539503).

Phil Harrison, a Kickstart new business start-up adviser with Keighley-based Airedale Enterprise Services, helped him produce a business plan. Celia Hickson, a business coach in Keighley for Kickstart partners BizFizz, introduced him to Access2Finance, a Bradford-based service backed by Kickstart funding. Helen Hoyle, a business mentor with Access2Finance, helped Lynden to get the financial support he needed to make Everything Goes a going concern.

Lynden said: “The Kickstart team have been brilliant. I want to support my family, and starting my own business will give me the opportunity to do that. “I recycle as much as I possibly can. Unwanted furniture goes to The Salvation Army.

“I sell what I can, to earn an income for my family, but clothing and other items will be donated to local charity shops. Only as a last resort will anything go to the tip.”

With strong support from his partner Helen and from members of the Kickstart team, Lynden has escaped from the dole queue and is now his own boss.

And all he wants customers to tell him is: ‘Lynden... everything goes!’ Everything Goes (07761) 778600; Airedale Enterprise Services (01535) 607775; BizFizz: (07976) 979287.