How did you get to where you are today?
I had an opportunity to take redundancy from the company employing me. I’d often thought about setting up my own training consultancy but it was a huge leap of faith to leave a great job, good salary, company car and above all a very cosy ‘comfort zone’! The redundancy situation offered me at least two choices:
1) Take a different role in the company
2) Take the redundancy package.

Though the package wasn’t great I didn’t look at it as redundancy, I considered it as an opportunity to follow a dream. That was back in 1999, this year I celebrate 10 years in business. I made the right choice!
 
What were your ambitions when you were starting out?
My initial plan was to start a training consultancy, and take every opportunity to study and keep ahead of the game. Within weeks of starting the business I was approached by a company and offered a contract worth nearly £500k. It meant taking a different route, training in a field marketing environment. The contract meant employing a team of trainers to work with the client. My plans to be a trainer soon changed to being an employer!

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Travel, theatre and walking

How is the current market for your business?
Many companies are viewing these challenging times as an opportunity to ‘get their houses in order’. They are taking the view that money invested in training today puts them ahead of the game when the market improves. It’s a logical philosophy for forward thinking businesses and without doubt training today will take their business beyond tomorrow. We see it as an exciting time for those companies looking to make a difference and invest in their most valuable asset – their people.
 
What motivates you?
Those light bulb moments for delegates, the point at which they realise they can do something they never dreamt was possible. It is great to be a part of their journey to that moment of realisation.

From an employment angle I consider being able to employ and manage people a real privilege. I love being able to manage and develop people my way, and not ‘toe the line’ because it’s a process handed down through the ranks of a corporate organisation, and because it’s always been done that way. My way works for me and more importantly, for my colleagues. I have a great team with a great work ethic.

What makes your business stand out?
Relationship building. We are in a people business, and we are aware that people will only do business with people they like.

What do you bring to the table?
With both clients and colleagues, I bring a positive outlook, and very high levels of customer service.

Your best day in business to date?
Any day when I get the call from a past client asking us to do additional work, it’s the best ‘referral’ you can get and a great measure of how our service is being received.
 
And your worst?
Having to let good people go when a contract comes to an end.

The best business advice you received?
Two pieces have been equally valuable to me:
1) ‘Cash is king’
2) Processes are vital to support long-term business survival.

Advice for other entrepreneurs considering a start up – when is the right time?
That depends on so many things for any individual. I guess it’s when you just know you can succeed. Belief and visions are key to success and when both are aligned it’s a good time to press the green button!

And if you could do any other job?
I would deliver amazing customer experiences through a beauty salon.

And any final advice for budding entrepreneurs?
Self-belief. 

For more on Christine and Beyond The Box, visit www.beyondthebox.co.uk