After stumbling across an advert in the Yorkshire Evening Post for Sharing the Success, part of the Governments Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) designed to promote enterprise in disadvantaged communities, he was signposted to the Biz Centre on Chapeltown Road.
In March 2009, with initial business support from Inam, the UrbanBiz Centre Manager, he launched TREE (The Renewable Energy Experts), a not for profit social enterprise operating as Community Interest Company (CIC). Since this time, the business has gone from strength to strength.
With assistance from UrbanBiz, Chris was awarded £3,500 from Untld, a charitable organisation also working under the LEGI umbrella, to help with start up costs.
“If I hadn’t got in touch with UrbanBiz, I wouldn’t have known that there were social enterprise funds available to me. And I wouldn’t have made the contacts I have today. The networking opportunities have been great. Since becoming a member at the Biz Centre, I have met Jack, a like minded business person, and we are now working together for TREE. Without his help, I wouldn’t have developed the online shop and so the support has been brilliant.”
Chris still uses the Business Advancement Facilities at the Biz Centre on a daily basis to run his business and believes that the facility has been invaluable to him as he can operate as a business start up for up to nine months. “I used to work from home where I would be tempted to do anything other than work, but at the Centre it’s different. There is a real business environment and so it feels like work. I get much more done.”
TREE trading is getting busier by the day. Chris, who realises the importance of selling himself in order to achieve success, has embraced his brand. From his fully functioning website to his branded work van to his logoed work outfit. “I spent money in the first instance on marketing myself and my business but it’s been well worth the money and has already paid off….a man stopped me in my van last week and asked for a business card. Good marketing really does sell.”
If you have a business idea and would like advice and guidance on how best to get the balling rolling, then call UrbanBiz on 0113 2007970.
Alternatively, if you are looking to reduce your Carbon Footprint and get back in control of your energy bills then contact Chris on 
0113 2499679 or visit www.treeonline.org.uk
