Go Your Own WayThe Carrick Times, in conjunction with Carrickfergus Enterprise, continues to showcase new business start-ups in the borough

BUSINESS: Uncle Bill’s Sweets

What is your business?

I operate a pick and mix sweet outlet selling a range of modern sweet brands as well as the old traditional jars of sweets based in the DeCourcy Centre, Carrickfergus. I trade under the name of Uncle Bill’s Sweets.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up doing what you are doing now?

I have a number of years experience in self employment in everything from running a pub to retailing fruit and veg. Over these years I have built up a great deal of knowledge and experience of running a business. I was looking for a new business opportunity and the sweet industry appealed to me. I felt this would be best suited to my skills/experience and was also something that suited me at this stage in my life.

Did you always want to run your own enterprise?

I have always enjoyed being my own boss and have many years experience in self employment in a variety of business areas. I have learnt from my mistakes and gained a lot of experience that I wanted to use in a new business. The sweet outlet combined something I had an interest in with something I am good at in terms of dealing with people and providing good customer service.

What skills/qualifications do you require for the role?

I have a lot of experience in business which certainly helps even though this was in different areas the business principles are the same. Good customer service is vital as it is often forgotten about and I am good with dealing with people from all walks of life. It is very important to keep up to date with the current trends and anticipate what your customers want. For example with increasing rates of diabetes as well as obesity levels there are many more sugar free sweets coming onto the market.

Was it difficult for you to start your business during the recession, and how have you been affected?

Of course it affects everyone no matter what business you are in and it does offer challenges. However on the positive side despite the doom and gloom everyone needs a treat and sweets although a luxury item are still very popular and the industry is growing with product ranges continuing to come onto the market.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when setting up and what support did you get?

The biggest challenge for me was getting my business off the ground with the correct finance in place to ensure I could get off to a good start. The support I received from Carrickfergus Enterprise was second to none not just in terms of business advice but the motivation and encouragement that I got from staff to get me on the right footing. Having completed the ‘Go for it’ course it brought me right up to date with modern day business and what I should expect when starting my business.

What three tips could you offer those considering starting their own business?

1)You need a lot of patience, do not expect to be up and running and driving around in your E Type Jag next week. You need to be realistic it will take time to build up your business and this will involve long hours and limited return to you become established.

2)Get some sort of business education behind you such as a business course or attending the ‘Go for it’ programme. Get all the knowledge and experience you can. Despite being self employed before the ‘Go for it’ programme was a good refresher for me. Although a native of Northern Ireland I had been out of the country for many years so the course allowed me to re-educate myself on Northern Ireland culture and how business is done.

3)The customer is number one in any business and good customer service is essential to allow you to build up your clientele and to grow your business.

What are your plans for the next 12 months?

I would like to continue to invest in my business both by increasing my product lines to offer customers more choice such as sugar free products. I also want to build on my current outlet in terms of how products are merchandised.

What do you get up to in your free time?

At the moment I haven’t got much free time as I am busy getting the business off the ground so I am working long hours at present! However when I do get some free time I like to play snooker, read and listen to the business news.

If you could swap places with anyone who would it be and why?

If you had of asked me that a few years back I would have probably said Richard Branson. However now I have reached a stage in my life where I am very content with who I am and what I am doing with myself. I am happy with my business and I hope to build upon it in the future so watch this space!