Name: Julie Milburn, Kerrie Ormonroyd, Laura Spurden and Toni Dominik.

Trading Ward: Buttershaw, Dudley Hill, Bingley and Tong.

Business Name: Women at Work

Email: Contact Women at Work

Telephone: (07510) 759492

Background of Business

‘Women at Work’ was set up by four young women, three of them single parents, who met while learning building trade skills at Bradford College. Julie Milburn (30), of Buttershaw, is now a painter and decorator; Kerrie Ormonroyd (27), of Dudley Hill, is a bricklayer; Laura Spurden (25), of Bingley is a joiner and Toni Dominik (17), of Tong, is taking a course in plumbing. They so impressed the judges of the Kickstart Enterprise competition, held in the summer of 2008, that they were among five winners to walk away with a £1,000 prize.

Support Journey

Soon after meeting at college the four women realised they shared an interest in starting their own business. For the three mothers this would give them the opportunity to earn some income while enjoying the benefit of working hours flexible enough to enable them to accommodate all their childcare commitments. Their college courses were giving them the skills they needed but they knew they required a lot of guidance in planning and launching a small business. It was at this stage that another ‘woman at work,’ former bank official Helen Hoyle, was approached by the four founders in her capacity as a Kickstart Business Counsellor. Helen is the Business Development Manager for Royds Community Association, whose enterprise park in Buttershaw is the base for many successful small businesses. She provided sound advice on preparing a strong business plan, forecasting cash flow and other vital aspects of turning a business dream into a commercial reality. She also helped the company to obtain professional support with their marketing, via the Kickstart programme.

Where are they now

‘Women at Work’ is now trading, initially based in the home of one of its founders. They find that most of their work comes from the personal recommendation of satisfied customers. Also, women living alone, older people and, particularly, Asian women feel more comfortable having work done in their home by an all-female team. “We love the flexibility that being self-employed gives us,” says Kerrie, adding: “Helen has given us great advice and introduced us to people and companies able to help us, through Kickstart, to set up and grow our own business in the Bradford District.
 
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