Meet Your Local Entrepreneur- Tim Boyd

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2019, SERC's Enterprise and Entrepreneurship team have conducted a series of interviews with local entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation.

The second interview of the week is with Tim Boyd. Tim is a past student at the College and the owner of "Tim the Mobile Barber".

1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to run your own business(es)?

I finished school with 3 A Levels and went to university and completed the first year without any drive or motivation. After a variety of jobs, I spent fifteen years in an airport environment involved in the operational day to day running of the airport. I have always wanted the freedom of running my own business and found the airport unrewarding and very monotonous.

In 2017 I left the airport and began a barbering course at SERC, which I completed successfully as I wanted something that would bring a sense of fulfilment. At the same time, I took employment in a day-care facility for people with Dementia and really enjoyed it.

Upon completion of the barbering course, I tried but did not enjoy a barber’s shop environment as I enjoyed spending time with a client to meet their needs – which is not really what is desired by a barber’s shop.

In January 2018 I started my own business as a mobile barber that specialises in working with clients with disabilities and mental health issues.  

2. What has been your biggest success to date?

The first week of work I had about 4 customers. Since then I have built that up to a full diary of various repeat clients ranging from care homes to private clients.

Alongside the barbering clients, I realised there was an opportunity to commence a befriending service for the same type of client. I started with one befriending client that I looked after for 2 hours, one day per week. That has now grown to a full diary as well.

The success of both these ventures lies not only in the increase of steady clients but the satisfaction it gives to me to see the benefit to the client and his next of kin. The befriending business has grown steadily until it is now at the stage where I am drawing up plans to take it to the next stage setting up a business with employees so I can service a greater number of clients.  

3. Have you had any mishaps along the way? How did you overcome them?

At the commencement of my barbering business I took another person into my confidence and tried to work alongside him but that did not work. He did not have my over-riding goal of customer satisfaction and care as uppermost.

After a few attempts at establishing the same goals for both of us, I separated myself from him to avoid conflict. That was the best decision I could have taken and am glad that I took it early and didn’t allow it to grow to a stage where it could not be handled.

4. What have you learnt in running a business that you wish you had known before you started?

Be very careful who you trust, for while their initial intentions might seem good, it is difficult to find someone with the same goals who is prepared to work to the same standard as you do.

Once you form a firm partnership with someone and it turns sour, it becomes very difficult to extricate yourself and has the potential to damage your business and personal reputation. A friend in business once told me that ‘you don’t marry the first girl you take out’ – how true that was.  

5. What key pieces of advice would you give to students who are interested in setting up a business?

You can never do enough market research. Get as much training required for the business as you can. When the business gets up and running it is very difficult to get enough time to increase your skill set. Get as much business expertise and advice as you can to equip you in the administration and running of the business.

While doing Nos. 1, 2 & 3 above, do not disclose your business intentions and plans to anyone you do not fully trust in case they decide to run off with your idea. Set your standard high at the start and keep to them. Take time and effort to build good relationships with your customers and network with others as much as possible.  

6. Do you have any advice regarding finance and funding?

I have not been able to source funding yet, so my business has grown from the ground up without outside financial assistance. Make keeping a close eye on finances a high priority – do this by checking your bank account daily.

When purchasing equipment buy proper equipment, even if it costs a bit more as that will pay dividends in the longer term. You will have reliable equipment not prone to breakdowns, and it will not need to be frequently replaced. This prevents customer delays and helps keep running costs down.

7. Any final thoughts?

Always make your customer feel valued and make yourself feel good by doing it in a way that you are giving back to society, customers and employees. Customer satisfaction is key, so listen carefully to any feedback -negative or positive – that you receive from them.

The small things that make the customer happy are the things which have the biggest impact upon your success, as they become your advertisers. Aim high, don’t be discouraged by others who do not share your vision. You are limited only by your own imagination.  

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