Enterprise Nation

Before becoming her own boss in November 2007, Kerryn Greatrix was working for a large corporate bank. She enjoyed the job but having her daughter made her realise she wanted more flexibility in her hours. Starting her own home business was the perfect solution.

Why did you start your own business?

I left my job in October 2005 to have my daughter.  Although I wanted (& needed) to return to work, I didn’t want to work full time.  So, after discussions with my husband & a friend who has the same type of business, I made the decision to leave the bank & go self employed as a mortgage broker. My plan is to grow the company so it’s big enough for me to be earn a decent salary, afford to pay into a pension and hopefully have something worth selling when I retire!

What kind of services do you offer?

I give advice on mortgages & general insurance and support clients through the whole application process.  I search the markets for the best product, prepare quotes, submit applications and then chase through to offer stage.  Once the deal is done, I keep in regular contact with clients & offer to review their finances on an annual basis. 

How have you been promoting yourself? 

I started promoting myself by targeting friends & family.  This then lead on to people referring clients my way, which is where most of my business comes from – word of mouth. 

I’ve joined a couple of networking groups & am generally trying to spread the name as much as possible.   I’m putting together literature for adverts & mail shots – maybe even a press release as suggested in your book!

Tell us a little about your home office/garage conversion?

The garage conversion had already been done by the previous owners as they also ran a business from home.  We used to live in the house next door & in July last year (about the time I started thinking about setting up my business) this house came on the market for sale.  We knew the neighbours well & knew that the garage conversion had been done – so we agreed to buy the house from them & move in!  There was already a telephone point in the office, so I just had to get my broadband switched to the new address.  

As for furnishing the office, I bought a large corner desk; large chair; 2 filing cabinets; printer/scanner/fax machine; new PC & a laptop (I need this for home visits); telephone; notice board; white board; shelving unit; shredder & oodles of stationery!

What is the one thing you enjoy most about working from home?

It’s very hard to come up with one single enjoyable thing about working from home as there are so many, but I would say it is having the flexibility to be able to live my life at the same time as working almost as many hours as a full time job.  I can work at weekends & evening whenever necessary & being able to do my food shopping when there are no queues; being there for my daughter; being there for friends & family when needed. I’m enjoying it very much!

Kerryn Greatrix talks to Emma Jones

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