Urmston mum taps into the plumbing market after being made redundant
Urmston mum taps into the plumbing market after being made redundant
A resourceful Urmston mum who bounced back from a recession related redundancy by launching her own plumbing firm is celebrating winning a raft of new business.
Mum of three Marie Purser, aged 40, launched her business Empress Plumbing in November 2009 after being made redundant. Marie gained her plumbing qualifications at Trafford College, where she won student of the year at its awards whilst working as an apprentice with Wates Living Space. Empress Plumbing offers a comprehensive service to commercial and residential premises and Marie has managed to win new business across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
Marie’s business adventure began when she contacted Business Link Northwest for help and was referred to business support agency Blue Orchid, which is the Intensive Start Up Support (ISUS) programme contracted provider for Urmston.
“I absolutely love running my own business and being my own boss,” she said. “It is the best thing I have ever done. It is certainly different and there are not many female plumbers. I have found it incredibly hard work but it has given me real control of my life and the ability to make a living for myself and my family. It is not easy being made redundant but setting up in business is a really satisfying and exciting way back into work.”
Marie’s support was delivered though the ISUS programme, which is provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). ISUS is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. The programme is funded by the NWDA, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and is backed by Trafford Council.
Marie said the business support she received was enormously helpful, giving advice in key areas of setting up a firm.
“My adviser at Blue Orchid Phil Bell was a star and with his experience and support I really started to make the dream of running a business a reality.” she said. “Phil is commercially savvy and was especially helpful on getting my pricing right. He also helped me with finance such as invoicing and marketing. Blue Orchid was also a real help developing my networking skills. I’ve attended quite a few networking events now and I’m becoming more and more confident promoting myself. This is vital because my business depends on word of mouth recommendations and networking is a key skill for me to develop.”
Marie said the business is steadily growing across the area and customers like the fact she is a woman in what is perceived as a man’s role.
“My first job was to climb underneath floorboards and cut a lead pipe out to fit a copper one – from that moment I loved my job,” she said. “I am passionate about doing every job as efficiently and as well as possible and also at a price people can afford. I am now expanding the business into fitting full bathroom suites, I want to keep pushing ahead with my skills and developing my business.”
For more information about Empress Plumbing contact Marie on 07766499202 or email enquiries@empressplumbing.co.uk.
