Starting My Business - ProtecVision Security

[ProtecVision23]

Hi all,

I wanted to ask, what advice people have when running a limited company.
[question made bold below by Ozzy]

Abit about me, Im a 18 Year old Business owner in Northampton just on the outskirts of Daventry, I had success of building my first DJ business (which i started when i was 8 years old) , and after being in full time employment and being failed by my employer I took the plunge to open my own security company. Business runs heavily in my family I would be the 3rd generation in our family to have a business. If anyone here is from Northamptonshire area and has been for some years, Lloyd Russell Wholesale was a business that was in our family many years ago which was sold to Salon Supplies in 2007 i believe it was so I was very young then...

So I carry traditional business values and morals in my business journey which has been passed down to me.

I suppose, I also saw the light in what some companies were doing to some of their customers in the security industry after working in the that field along with telecoms and Audio Visual. Im different, we as a brand are different and it might sound like I'm blowing my own trumpet here, our customers love our young twist on things... And the way we approach our offering, and why we do it the way we do.

I was lucky that in the first 2 weeks of me running my business, we got a fairly large job straight away, and now doing some take-over projects, and also bringing on the NHS As one of our customers, along with some well-known breweries, and pub chains.

One thing I did do, was contact businesses all around Northamptonshire over 100 I believe it was, and a very small handful actually responded. My question on that is, what happened to people giving an opportunity to people, and a chance. Everyone started small once, and would have been desperate for opportunity.

My main questions here, is what is the best way to talk to businesses about services you can supply? What things should I keep an eye out for, and what advice would you give as experienced professionals in your own field to new business owners in the current age?
[question edited to bold by ~Ozzy]

I would be lying if i said its been easy, i started the business about 2 months ago, and you really see the world in the purest form, when there is no comfort blanket of a salary being paid to you every month(which i think a lot of people take for granted), amongst other benefits. It was the risk i was willing to take though. My gut was telling me to do it, and it was a leap i was definitely nervous making, but i know it will be worth it. Yes, there is lots of competition around us but we strive in what we do, why we do it the way we do, and how we do it. Our young but traditional old-school twist is certainly something I betray to our customers.

This was also something I was told I could never do. A lot of people told me that I was living in a "dream world" "la la land" among other phrases and now that I'm pulling it off (slowly) it's what keeps pushing me to go further!!

I'd love to hear what other people have to say, I've shortened the story down a lot so there isn't a huge amount of reading here, but thankyou for taking the time to read this and look forward to some responses.

Kyle

 

[Ozzy]

Heh Kyle, and welcome.
I've edited your post so the question stands out, so anyone who may be a bit stretched for time to read your whole post can see the question you're asking quickly.

Wish you every success in your venture, you're only about 15 minutes up the road from me

 

[Mark T Jones]

Welcome Kyle.

Welcome to the world of business.

I started many, many years ago - slightly older than you at 25 - and I felt very much the same. I remember it because of 2 replies that have stuck in my mind (still there 40 years later).

One was 'it is as it ever was'

The other ' Welcome to the real world'. That was from what would now be described as a mentor - back then it was just a helpful contact, he used that line every single time I complained about how tough it was.

Technology has changed, communications have changed, but the fundamentals remain the same - getting in front of the right people requires clever targeting, a clear proposition/USP and lots of perseverance.

Take time to think about who your ideal target customers are, who is the right person within that organisation and who the best introducers/conduits might be 'where do they hang out?' Literally or metaphorically

I get the sense you'll get there, but there will undoubtedly hurdles along the way

 

[fisicx]

What sort of security? Blokes standing at the door? CCTV? Alarm systems? Roving patrols? Fencing?

 

[fantheflames]

Welcome to the forum, @ProtecVision23, and congrats on starting your own security business at such a young age!

It sounds like you're off to a great start with some impressive clients already. For reaching out to businesses, I recommend personalising your approach and clearly explaining how your services can address their specific needs. What sort of security are you undertaking?

Building relationships and networking locally will most likely be the best route. Keep pushing forward with it all and don't hesitate to seek advice from UKBF!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Welcome, Kyle.

My main questions here, is what is the best way to talk to businesses about services you can supply?

The best way is to start! Find potential clients and pick up the phone, email, letters...

 

[ProtecVision23]

What sort of security? Blokes standing at the door? CCTV? Alarm systems? Roving patrols? Fencing?

So we Supply CCTV, phasing into access control & alarms systems. We also supply and install Audio Visual Technology especially to the Pub, Bar & Club Trade.

 

[ProtecVision23]

Heh Kyle, and welcome.
I've edited your post so the question stands out, so anyone who may be a bit stretched for time to read your whole post can see the question you're asking quickly.

Wish you every success in your venture, you're only about 15 minutes up the road from me

Thanks, Mate.

I do believe you had an interview with an Old Boss of mine on YouTube... I won't say too much.

Appreciate the support.

 

[fisicx]

So we Supply CCTV, phasing into access control & alarms systems. We also supply and install Audio Visual Technology especially to the Pub, Bar & Club Trade.

Start going to pubs. Look as what they already have installed. If it’s lacking buy a pint and talk to the landlord. Don’t talk about your services, talk about the benefits. Show them how it will save them money.

 

[IanSuth]

So we Supply CCTV, phasing into access control & alarms systems. We also supply and install Audio Visual Technology especially to the Pub, Bar & Club Trade.

I would go to the independent venues see what they have hanging on the wall - if it looks old ask if you can quote them.

As my wife is a support engineer for the largest cctv distributor I know a lot of the chains are totally sewn up so a waste of your time. So better going into the Roadmender than wasting your time at the Cordwainer

Also check on any requirements Northampton or Daventry place on premises licences, if they are apt to say "you must keep footage for x days in case needed by Police" ensure when you are speaking to potential clients that you point out that you know what the council will likely require of them and their systems and you will ensure any quote you give complies. If you can give case studies/examples even better.

 

[WaveJumper]

Welcome to the UKBF for me its all about a person having the right mindset so pretty sure you are going to do ok.

We had a new couple move into the street a couple of doors down, low and behold he drives around in his new Ford van with CCTV specialists plastered all down the side, and of course pretty soon after moving in installed several cameras around the exterior of their house. So impressed are the rest of the street he's probably got his work cut out keeping up with the demand.

Point of the story I am pretty sure there's a huge market out there in the private sector especially if our development is anything to go by. Best of luck.

 

[ProtecVision23]

I would go to the independent venues see what they have hanging on the wall - if it looks old ask if you can quote them.

As my wife is a support engineer for the largest cctv distributor I know a lot of the chains are totally sewn up so a waste of your time. So better going into the Roadmender than wasting your time at the Cordwainer

Also check on any requirements Northampton or Daventry place on premises licences, if they are apt to say "you must keep footage for x days in case needed by Police" ensure when you are speaking to potential clients that you point out that you know what the council will likely require of them and their systems and you will ensure any quote you give complies. If you can give case studies/examples even better.

Thats what I'm starting to do now. But even some of those independent-run places no longer give you the time of day.

Funny you say the roadmender I did try them, and surprise surprise, no response.

Who does your wife work for if you don't mind me asking?

 

[fisicx]

Have you got you GBP properly set up along with your website? Have you got a pitch in the local market offering home security? Does you van have your contact details? Does the whole family go out in clothes with the company details printed?

You can also do podcasts, YouTube, TikTok. Make it so wherever you turn locally your name keeps appearing.

 

[YasmeenLondon]

My main questions here, is what is the best way to talk to businesses about services you can supply? What things should I keep an eye out for, and what advice would you give as experienced professionals in your own field to new business owners in the current age?

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on starting your business.

For B2B businesses, the best way to get your foot in the door and grab a potential customer's attention is by showing the value you bring upfront.

You can do this via case studies of success stories, where you can demonstrate your abilities to help them by showing how you helped other businesses in their niche.

You can also do this by researching every potential business in your catchment area, finding any previous incidents (google search) whether any patrons complain about security (reviews) and then writing a very personalised pitch to them demonstrating your understanding of their business, their problems and how you will solve them.