Member Article

Baby’s birth sparks accountant to set up firm

THE birth of Steve Hall’s daughter Gabriella a year-and-a-half ago didn’t just make him a father. It made him an entrepreneur. Steve left his job at a blue-chip company in 2009 to set up Hall Accountancy, a firm which offers a more personal service to clients. He said: “I became quite frustrated by the confines of the firm I was in, but wasn’t really sure how I could get out of the situation. “In September 2008, my daughter Gabriella was born. I realised I had to do something different if I was to provide for my family properly and get to where I wanted to be.? He received help from the If We Can You Can campaign launched three years ago by the Entrepreneur’s Forum to celebrate entrepreneurs and help them build their business. The campaign and the If We Can You Can Challenge to find model entrepreneurs also has a website with an online community of over 650 entrepreneurs and 100 mentors sharing experiences. Steve, 37, said: “I’ve moved around quite a bit and I think a lot of that was to do with the fact that I was a frustrated entrepreneur.? Steve registered a domain name and built a website himself, initially working on his project part-time. By last year, he was ready to go it alone and set up a base at the Blyth Community Enterprise Centre, receiving guidance from Newcastle-based coach Jan Grieveson. He has now moved to the Wansbeck Enterprise Centre in Ashington. He said: “We looked at what accountants are most criticised for. People say they never see their accountant and if they do it’s often too late. They also get upset that a lot of the time they’re presented with what we call the “Bullseye scenario”, where if you fail they rub it in by showing you what you could have won. Steve is the only full-time member of his “lean office” but he draws on help from bookkeepers and experts where necessary. The company presently has less than 20 clients but he is targeting another five clients a month and is preparing a franchise prototype which will be sent out across the UK “when the time is right”. As a new father, Steve also strives to make time for his family. If you want to take part in the If We Can You Can Challenge it is easy to enter online and at the same time become part of the network of entrepreneurs who can support and give you advice. Carole Beverley, chief executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “We hope prospective entrants will be inspired by his story. The If We Can, You Can challenge is about inspiration and engagement.? Entrepreneurs can win prizes to help them develop their business. Enter by May 8 online at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/challenge

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Hall .