Why staying put paid off for Katrina Bagshaw

WHEN Katrina Bagshaw decided to start her own business even she couldn’t have forseen its remarkable success.

Since the 27-year-old established Bravura 18 months ago turnover has risen to more than £125,000.

The Sheffield-based firm provides freelance administration duties for small sizes companies such as Andrea Waterhouse’s Blissful Living.

Since forming its client database has grown enabling more SMEs to build their profiles and establish potential partner through networking events and launches.

Bagshaw’s list of clients now includes Sheffield Green Bonds, EMI and Esporta – all of which have recently taken on Bravura to help them build relationships in the corporate market.

The firm’s successful growth was highlighted when the company landed the contact to organise the inaugural Star and St John Sports Awards in October.

More than 500 people attended along with a number of sporting dignitaries from around South Yorkshire.

“My job was being relocated to London, so it was a case of either moving down there or setting up on my own,” recalls Bagshaw.

“I had been working in sales and marketing for more than eight years so I knew what the industry was like. I took the plunge and thought, what’s the worst that could happen?”

As well as helping clients work on their business plan, launch services or break into new markets effectively acting as a firm’s own marketing office.

“This can be organising events to establishing a company strategy, all of which will ultimately lead to business growth,” says Bagashaw.

“Bravura’s key objective is to build strategy, implementation and communication within a business. The company is doing well and we are on target to achieve a higher turnover in year two.”

The success of these small companies has in turn led to the growth of Bravura, with Bagshaw establishing an office at the newly revamped Sorby House in Burngreave, Sheffield, while adding additional staff on a sub-contract basis.

However, the entrepreneur’s next “big thing” is the launch of Right4Training, a training brokerage company which works with businesses to support staff development.

“This will be a really exciting project and an opportunity to help companies beat the current credit crunch,” she says.

“We’ll be working with Right4Training to provide businesses with the appropriate resources to up-skill their staff.

“Through the initiative, businesses can gain access to national funding to perform staff training and help to broaden the knowledge of their workforce. This will help make sure their employees have the required skills to be at maximum out-put for no extra cost.”