TEDCO sat down with electrician, Megan Archbold, to find out more about how she came to set up her electrical business, Trailblaze Electrical Services. We discussed what motivated Megan to make the leap into entrepreneurship, as well as explore her growth plans for the coming months and years.
Megan Archbold’s career journey started in 2018, when she embarked on an apprenticeship to become an electrician. Six years later, Megan is a qualified electrician with a wealth of experience under her tool belt, and recently decided that the time was right to begin the next stage of her career.
Megan’s passion to set up her own business has been fuelled by the desire to take control of her work life and feel a greater sense of autonomy over the type of work she undertakes. While she continues to work as an electrician for her current employer, her particular interest in the fast-growing renewables industry has led to her setting up her own business on the side.
Megan’s first experience of working with TEDCO Business Support came through a discovery workshop designed to introduce the basics of entrepreneurship. She was then allocated a personal business advisor, Bill Hartshorne, to help her navigate the process of setting up her business and to apply for a business loan.
With Bill’s support, Megan secured a £15,000 low cost start-up loan from the Business Enterprise Fund, which meant she was able to invest in a commercial van to help her carry out her work across the North East.
She says,
“Bill was a great support and I could not have done this without him. It was such an incredibly complex process to apply for a business loan and he guided me through it step by step.
“I was so nervous and I didn’t have much idea of what I was doing, but Bill put me at ease straight away and knew every step I had to take to ensure I did everything right. He has so much invaluable knowledge about setting up a business and the considerations that needed to be made along the way.
“I honestly can’t thank Bill and TEDCO enough for all of the help they have given me. To have that solid support around you when embarking on such a scary and life-changing journey was so vital. They have enabled me to set up my dream business – something I know I could never have done on my own.”
TEDCO business advisor Bill Hartshorne said:
“I am thrilled we have been able to support Megan on her journey to setting up her own business. Her hard work and dedication is clear – not least because she has established a new business alongside working a full-time role for her existing employer.
“Megan has clearly identified the potential in the renewables market and with strong foundations in place I have no doubt that Trailblaze Electrical Services has a bright future ahead.”
And if you’re thinking about starting a business of your own, TEDCO is here to help. Register here Initial Registration Form
Start Up South Tyneside is a business Start up programme delivered by the TEDCO Business Support on behalf of South Tyneside Council which aims to support local residents with their aspirations to start up a business.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus