First things first, who are you and how do you help small businesses?
I’m Steve of ST Safety Services – and I provide health and safety consultancy for small businesses.
I guide them, by explaining what basic measures must be put in place to avoid accidents and potential prosecution.
What made you become a member of Start-Talk-Grow?
Andy Gilbert suggested STG to me, I thought it was a good idea to give start-ups that initial helping hand.
What inspired you to start your business?
At the end of 2020 I was made redundant, family and several friends suggested I start my own consultancy business. I had considered this route in the past but now I had the opportunity.
What makes you different from others in your field?
Apart from explaining what is required with H&S in plain English, I worked for a law firm for almost nine years. My role was to provide a major insurance company’s business clients with H&S advice to reduce the risk of claims.
If the client called when they were being prosecuted, then our solicitors would take over.
Having worked with the solicitors on cases I have a different outlook when advising clients.
What are the greatest achievements you’ve had in your business?
Meeting some amazing people and being humbled on how so many “competitors” go out of their way to help and support me.
I had one client call, panicking, they were going to lose their business because of the issues raised by their insurer. After they had told me what had happened, I went through each point that had been raised, explaining in plain simple terms what had to be done. The panic had gone, and the client realised it was a simple task to comply.
What did you wish you knew when you started that you have learned along the way?
Contact’s, contact’s, contact’s, build your network of contact’s before starting your business. Talk to them and tell them what you are going to do. Do your research, plan, and then work your plan.
The quick-fire round
Which is your favourite social media platform?
What is the best bit of work kit you have?
MacBook Pro
What was the best piece of advice you were given when you first started? And by whom?
There are too many to list, but my wife for supporting me, Gary Mumby for explaining how networking can help and introducing me to Ladey Adey. Tony Cox, Dominic Sivell for working on the training we deliver.
Imagine you’ve been given an unexpected day off – how will you spend it?
Probably boating
Which is your while-you-work drink of choice?
Cappuccino
Which is your favourite business book?
Ladey Adey’s Successful Business Networking Online.
What is your secret to success?
No secret, plan your work and then work the plan. Be honest and work in your client’s interest.
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