Samuel Irwin speaks to Omagh Enterprise about his journey: Relief Milking and breeding Pigs to successfully opening his own business
Samuel Irwin, Proprietor of Clear Reflection’s and participant of the “Exploring Enterprise Programme” is a prime example of an individual who successfully took the step into self-employment despite the obstacles he faced.
Samuel spoke to Omagh Enterprise Company about this journey: “Previous to completing the Exploring Enterprise Programme I worked in a Family owned Farm at Relief Milking and breeding Pigs. Although I thoroughly enjoyed working in the Agricultural Industry I decided that after 20 years it was time to focus on what I really wanted to do with my career. I knew that I wanted to run my own business but was unsure of the financial and legal aspects of self employment. The programme delivered on all my expectations, gaining knowledge on different areas of business start up.
I have now been trading for over a year offering a reliable, trustworthy, high quality window cleaning service to both domestic and commercial customers in the Omagh area.
In addition to window cleaning customers can also avail of other services such as: Interior glass cleaning, Conservatory cleaning, Window and door frame cleaning, Fascia and gutter cleaning and Pathway and driveway cleaning.
I suppose the Exploring Enterprise Programme really helped me to focus on the Business side of operating my own business. Not only has it increased my confidence and knowledge but I have gained new skills in areas such as Bookkeeping; Health and Safety and Marketing”.
Roseleen Molloy Project Officer at Omagh Enterprise Company commented on the programme: “The Exploring Enterprise2 Programme is a pre-start programme which will support activities to extend the employment opportunities of unemployed, long-term unemployed and inactive people by helping them to enter, remain and make progress in sustained employment.
We will provide accredited training and development to participants in the Omagh Area. Although the training will cover the aspects of setting up a business participants do not need to have a specific business idea to join; the programme provides an insight into starting a business whilst allowing participants to work towards achieving a qualification.
The key aim being to improve employability of the participants. Mentoring will be provided to participants during which areas such as CV writing, interview skills or indeed business planning can be covered. On successful completion of the CCEA accredited training course participants will be awarded the Level 2 in Understanding Business Enterprise. In addition the programme will guide and assist individuals into and through the mainstream business support options.
For further information on the Exploring Enterprise Programme contact Roseleen on 028 82 249494 or via email at roseleen.molloy@omaghenterprise.co.uk
