Lisa Newton | Finance

Boogles Ltd | Bookkeeping Service

Precious Awards 2007 Winner
Make Your Mark: Young Entrepreneur (sponsored by The Make Your Mark campaign).

www.booglesltd.com

Precious: How and when did you come up with your business idea?

In 2004 I was doing some freelance book keeping and decided to set up as a limited company and go large!

Precious: What did you do before you launched your business?

I was a self employed book keeper.

Precious: Tell us about the business planning stage.

It wasn't difficult to do the business plan, although I admit to never having finished it! I only completed the financial part.

Precious: Where did you go for advice and support on getting started?

I went to my local Business Link, but just to advertise my services. In the very beginning I didn't seek advice from anyone, it was a friend that advised me to set up as a limited company. As I'd done a course in business law, I knew what to do.

Precious: What setbacks did you encounter?

None really. The major one was that clients took their time to pay. Also, I found interviewing for new staff a bit of a nightmare, but I learnt the hard way.

Precious: Did you start off working at home or in premises?

I worked from home and from clients premises.

Precious: Has your business developed the way you thought it would?

Yes. I've expanded as I thought I would, but what has surprised me was how quickly things take off when they start to take off.

Precious: Apart from Precious, do you belong to any networking groups?

Just one, Business Junction, absolutely smashing bunch.

Precious: What do you love most about what you do?

I love it when a plan comes together, I love it when it all adds up. I love seeing different people daily, and not being in any one place. I love networking, meeting people, free drinks and having a laugh.

Precious: Are your family supportive of you?

Totally, they know someone in the family is going to be a millionaire and that someone is gonna be me!

Precious: How do you see your business progressing over the next five years?

Boogles Ltd are going to hit a turnover of one million pounds, our turnover is going to double year on year for the next five years. Ideally, I want to franchise the operation and help other self employed people build a client network and create a good service.

Precious: What do you do to relax?

Salsa, learn languages, sleep, listen to music(house or garage) Watch TV- (Eastenders, Holby City and Dragons Den), look at my spreadsheets and plan my life.

Precious: What's your advice to potential female entrepreneurs?

Keep it simple, do what you know. I would start from home, to keep costs low. Keep an eye on the bottom line, be different and better than the competition, keep it real and stay focused.

Provide good value for money, focus on repeat business, ask clients to refer you. Have a good time and be organised.

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