Miranda de Freston: Juggle Frogs

Finding a reliable plumber or electrician is no longer a big problem thanks to innovative Kenilworth woman Miranda de Freston.

Find out how her nightmare of being unable to find a reliable tradesman turned into a business opportunity...

Miranda de Freston has scooped £1,500 after winning the What’s the Big Idea? competition run by the Eliot Park Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Eliot Park, Barling Way, Nuneaton, after setting up her new website JuggleFrogs.co.uk

The 28-year-old, who has received advice and support from the Coventry-based Women’s Business Development Agency, has launched an on-line website which allows home owners to recommend tradesmen.

“The best way to find a tradesman is usually by word of mouth and in this day and age that isn’t easy,” said Miranda.

“My partner, Phil, and I bought a house in Kenilworth 18 months ago and to say it was run-down is an under-statement. We found it a nightmare finding tradesmen for various jobs and I thought it would be a great idea to start a website where people could select the kind of work they needed doing and find someone in the area in which they lived.

“If you want your bathroom tiling then you can pin down exactly the type of tradesman that you need and the website will provide you with a list of people that can do the work for you.

“JuggleFrogs will also help tradesmen because as well as being able to advertise their own services online in a customised space, they will be receiving quality leads for work that they are able to complete as opposed to being called on for work that is outside of their remit.”

Miranda, who previously worked in the computer industry, entered the What’s The Big Idea? competition after spotting a news item in the local media.

After presenting her idea to a panel of judges in a Dragons’ Den style showdown and answering their questions, Miranda was delighted to be the winner. “It was great to receive feedback from experts and the Business Enterprise Works project which EPIC ran is a fantastic idea,” she added.

“Dawn Horn, my business adviser at the Women’s Business Development Agency, has been fantastic in terms of giving me advice and positive support. I would definitely recommend them to women setting up their own business because there is a lot of help out there that newcomers to the business world often don’t know about.”

Dawn said “Miranda’s idea is simple but practical and will not only benefit people moving to the area but also those who need a trusted tradesmen to complete the jobs they want doing around the house. It is also a quirky name and I was really pleased that Miranda won the competition. I’m sure the website will prove to be a huge success.”

Dawn is a member of the West Midlands Woman team who are providing comprehensive virtual and face-to-face regionwide business support, help, advice, mentoring and training for women wanting to start and grow their businesses.
 
Log on to http://www.jugglefrogs.co.uk/ for further information.