Partner Article

Success is calling for new business

With the help of Business Link, two former call centre workers have successfully set up their own company.

Rachel Barnes and Sharon Atkinson worked together at the Garlands call centre on Teesside, and had always thought about setting up their company. However, after the centre shut last year, this gave them the final push to start up on their own.

“We had never run a business before,” says Rachel. “Sharon and I worked in unrelated professions before meeting at Garlands, then got experience of working with some the biggest phone operators who were our clients.

Together the women used their experiences at the call centre and set up Call Agents UK, a call answering service for clients and a bespoke telemarketing service.

Rachel added: “Many companies don’t have the resources to pay for a full time receptionist, there’s also the recession. The idea to launch our company came from looking at London and the US where virtual receptionists are massive.”

When developing the business, Rachel and Sharon approached Business Link for advice. Through the service, they received business mentoring, guidance and financial support with their PR and marketing.

The pair have now set up their office in Teesside University’s Business Park and employ six people at their office.

Business Link advisor Karen Jones said:“ “This business has come a long way in a short period of time and has benefited from funding and one-to-one advisor support.

“I have worked with the business for a couple of months and have personally seen their confidence grow so much that their original target market has now changed to allow them to work with larger clients.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .