David Dwyer has over 30 years’ experience in the landscaping and gardening industry having previously owned a landscaping company. A change in circumstances saw him take a career change for six years, whilst he worked in pharmaceuticals.
18 months ago David decided to take a step back into self-employment, launching landscaping business Green Oak Landscapes with support from St Helens Chamber and the New Enterprise Allowance.
David commented: “I decided to go back into landscaping. I still had a passion for gardening and projects so it was an easy fit getting back into it.
“It was something I knew and loved and knew that I could do well at. I touched base with some old suppliers that had supplied my machinery and materials in the past and they were happy to have me back in the industry.”
David was referred to St Helens Chamber where he met with a dedicated business coach, who talked him through his business plan and the application for NEA.
“The start-up support has been great, it’s a lovely facility with welcoming people and somewhere you can go to.
“Even though I’ve been self-employed before, it’s still nice to talk to someone as obviously things can change, like tax.”
David participated in a free self-assessment workshop run by the Chamber, where start-up clients can get prepared for filling in their tax return online and setting up a tax account with HMRC.
“Stella was very helpful with filling in the tax returns as I had issues with the online system so had to go down the old fashioned route of filling in the paper forms, so she was incredibly helpful on that. The workshops were nicely run and easy to follow. The segments broke it all down.
“It’s nice that you have some sort of backup if I do come across something I haven’t come across before, I know I can email someone at the Chamber or pick up the phone and call.”
David offers various landscaping and gardening services such as general gardening maintenance, fencing, tree felling, pruning, decking, weed control and grass cutting.
His main focus has been on adding a personal approach when dealing with his clients, taking the time to get to know his customers and enjoy the jobs he is doing.
For more information on Green Oak Landscapes visit http://www.greenoaklandscapes.co.uk/
The New Enterprise Allowance is funded by the Department of Work and Pensions and the European Social Fund.
If you are unemployed and thinking of starting a business, speak to your JobCentre Plus adviser for more information about the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
For more information about the free support available from St Helens Chamber to start a business, call 0845 340 9980, email startup@sthelenschamber.com, or visit https://www.sthelenschamber.com/startup.
