A1 Transport
Owners - Michael and Frances Williams
Michael set up the business in August 2005. He had previously worked in light haulage and removal businesses, but decided it was time to run his own company.
The role of Dorset Business Mentors
Frances saw a feature on Dorset Business Mentors in the East Dorset Newsletter, a quarterly publication from East Dorset District Council. The main thrust of the article was a search for new mentors, but Frances decided to ring up anyway.
“The business had been running for four or five months and we were muddling through. I was desperate for help with the financial side of the business. I had no experience and was really struggling with the paperwork. I had jars of money in the safe, which when we counted it turned out to be almost £700, but we had no money in the bank!”
Our mentor has helped to give us a platform to work from. The books are now in order, we have resolved the issues we had on the accounting front, we have produced terms and conditions for the business, and even bought a new computer.
By being involved with Dorset Business Mentors, we have also had support from one of the other business owners in the scheme who had 20 years experience working for international removal companies. That help was invaluable when we were thinking of ways to grow the business.
The mentoring scheme is good for me because I need to be shown how to do things. I need a hands-on approach. My mentor has been fantastic. She is always there for me and I can discuss anything with her
The business is growing. We have one full time employee now, and we are now in the process of getting an operator’s licence which will enable us to grow the business further. The jars in the safe are now empty, but we have money in the bank!”
INGREDIENTS
1 cup BRINE sauerkraut
1 quart beef stock
4 links of bratwurst
1 yellow onion
2 carrots
1 stalk of celery
1 tbsp olive oil
To serve: crusty bread and parsley
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