News: Kevin kickstarts career after retirement
A retired policeman from Rotherham who started his own painting and decorating business believes that life really does start at 50 after seeing demand for his services take off.
Enterprising Kevin Sharples (52) from Brinsworth retired from the South Yorkshire Police Force two years ago. After taking some time off Kevin decided that he was too young to retire so decided to start his own business.
With the help of a £500 grant from UK Steel Enterprise's Kickstart Fund he purchased essential equipment and had his van emblazoned with his new business name and set off on the road to self-employment.
The business has grown and Kevin is now carrying out corporate contracts, decorating offices and pubs as well as doing domestic work. His most noticeable contract to date is refurbishing The Temple pub at Templeborough which meant repainting the whole of the front of the pub to make the tired looking building fresh and appealing again.
Kevin said:: "I've never been as busy as I am now. I'm picking up new jobs and contracts on a regular basis and of late I've just not stopped. The support I had from UK Steel and Rotherham Investment and Development Office has been brilliant. I love working for myself and would encourage anyone to give it a go."
Keith Williams, regional manager for UK Steel Enterprise, added: "Kevin had the skills he needed to provide the services he wanted to deliver but he did not have the funding and necessary support.
"Our funding got him on the road and the advertising on his van has brought in new customers. It's great that Kevin has been able to make a success of his new business venture and we hope to be able to support even more people like him in Rotherham and across South Yorkshire."
UK Steel Enterprise is now focusing the Kickstart Fund on Rotherham's next generation of young entrepreneurs and has cash ready to help them launch their new businesses.
The business investor has set aside finance from its Kickstart Fund to target 30 young people in Rotherham with small scale finance that can make all the difference when starting a new business.
UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its main investment fund provides business finance in amounts from £25,000 up to £750,000 to a wide variety of companies with the aim of encouraging business growth and job creation in areas affected by changes in the steel industry.
UK Steel Enterprise website
Images: UK Steel Enterprise
Enterprising Kevin Sharples (52) from Brinsworth retired from the South Yorkshire Police Force two years ago. After taking some time off Kevin decided that he was too young to retire so decided to start his own business.
With the help of a £500 grant from UK Steel Enterprise's Kickstart Fund he purchased essential equipment and had his van emblazoned with his new business name and set off on the road to self-employment.
The business has grown and Kevin is now carrying out corporate contracts, decorating offices and pubs as well as doing domestic work. His most noticeable contract to date is refurbishing The Temple pub at Templeborough which meant repainting the whole of the front of the pub to make the tired looking building fresh and appealing again.
Kevin said:: "I've never been as busy as I am now. I'm picking up new jobs and contracts on a regular basis and of late I've just not stopped. The support I had from UK Steel and Rotherham Investment and Development Office has been brilliant. I love working for myself and would encourage anyone to give it a go."
Keith Williams, regional manager for UK Steel Enterprise, added: "Kevin had the skills he needed to provide the services he wanted to deliver but he did not have the funding and necessary support.
"Our funding got him on the road and the advertising on his van has brought in new customers. It's great that Kevin has been able to make a success of his new business venture and we hope to be able to support even more people like him in Rotherham and across South Yorkshire."
UK Steel Enterprise is now focusing the Kickstart Fund on Rotherham's next generation of young entrepreneurs and has cash ready to help them launch their new businesses.
The business investor has set aside finance from its Kickstart Fund to target 30 young people in Rotherham with small scale finance that can make all the difference when starting a new business.
UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its main investment fund provides business finance in amounts from £25,000 up to £750,000 to a wide variety of companies with the aim of encouraging business growth and job creation in areas affected by changes in the steel industry.
UK Steel Enterprise website
Images: UK Steel Enterprise
1 comments:
I think it would be useful to mention that we at The Chamber worked with Kevin on his Business Plan which ultimately secured the Kickstart Fund loan
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