News / Power to the People
Power to the People
A York entrepreneur has turned his back on corporate life to go it alone with a new, niche business venture in the city.
With help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire, Jon Bradford has left behind a 30-year career heading the UK sales division of a £40 million global aluminium systems manufacturer to carve a niche in York selling batteries for cars, caravans, motorbikes, golf buggies, mobility and access equipment and the marine industry - amongst others - from premises on Leeman Road.
Jon picked up the keys to his new premises this week and Battery Solutions York Ltd will open on 1 November – the first shop of its kind in the area. In his search to find the right location for the business Jon sought the help of york-england.com, the Inward Investment Board for York and North Yorkshire, who provided him with a range of information on the options available to him.
The business is based on a similar successful operation in Cheltenham run by an old school friend which, according to Jon, is what first sowed the seed in his mind.
“I was ready for a complete career change,” he says. “I did some consultancy work in the aluminium industry for six months but felt ready for something new. I took career guidance from people who advised me to stick to what I knew, but I’d just had enough of corporate life.”
Jon’s next breakthrough came at the Business Link Enterprise Show in York in May this year. “It was fantastic,” he says. “I was able to talk through my ideas with a range of different business advisers and came away with lots of information and ideas about where to go next.
“Business Link have really pointed me in the right direction. I’ve come from a commercial background but I’ve never set up a business from scratch and they’ve been a great help.
“Their advisers helped me think about things like business planning, financial forecasting, marketing – which is a very different proposition for a small business than it is for a large corporate! – cashflow, buying and holding stock. It’s incredibly helpful to have that kind of advice and support on tap as you try to get a business off the ground.”
“My family has been hugely supportive, too. My wife, for example, is using marketing skills from a previous career to great effect in the development of the new business!”
Clare Williams, Business Link York and North Yorkshire start-up adviser team leader, says, “Leaving behind a long career in a familiar industry is an incredibly brave step, and one that would put a lot of people off. Jon is an inspiration to anyone thinking about making that leap.”
Denise Stuart, Chief Executive of york-england.com, says, “Jon's business displays the entrepreneurial spirit that is constantly growing in York and across North Yorkshire. We are glad to have been of assistance to Jon and wish him the best of success for the future.”
Now Jon’s busy getting his new premises ready to open its doors to the public, but he’s already thinking about where to take the business next. “I’m very interested in the idea of harnessing wind power in batteries, but I’m taking things one step at a time!” he says.
For more information on Battery Solutions please visit www.batterysolutionsyork.co.uk, or telephone 01904 626414.
