Elizabeth Horlemann: LEP Services

My name is Elizabeth Horlemann. I am a German and I relocated to the UK in June 2009 with the aim of starting a business and fulfilling my dream of being self employed. Although I have a walking disability, this has never stopped me from undertaking challenging ventures.

I am a qualified business administrator and I worked for over 14 years in a Japanese company in Germany, where I was responsible for customer service in the Service Department.

Fulfilling my dream of becoming self employed

Due to a long period of illness (which I have now recovered fully from) my employment contract was terminated and as I always had a dream to be self employed, I decided to make the best of a bad situation and plunge myself in the self employment world. I have always dreamt of going into the hand car wash business, but using eco-friendly products which not only protects our environment but also makes our customers happy.

I contacted Business Link West Midlands to find out how I go about setting up my business and was referred to the Women’s Business Development Agency who felt that my specific needs would be taken care of by them.

Support from the Women’s Business Development Agency

The Women’s Business Development Agency supported me in preparing a professional business plan and also understanding in depth the various aspects of the business plan which is very important in running a successful business. The saying “You fail to plan – plan to fail” did make at the end of the exercise a lot of sense.

WBDA have been extremely supportive from the initial phase of preparing the business plan, offering tips where to obtain information such as relating to tax, employment issues, various free business workshops such as Marketing and Making Finance Simple and regular valuation of the various phases of the business development after launching the business.

Initially I had the motivation to be self employed, however did not have enough courage to take the initial step as I was not confident enough that I had the relevant qualifications and resources. Attending the various programmes offered from WBDA I gained more confidence, I was able to meet other people in the same position as myself and exchange views and I now have the confidence to tackle all obstacles which each new business brings along.

I have now been able to make some positive impact at the Shires Retail Park and am now enjoying business from repeat customers.

I have also been approached by Spaceandpeople PLC to consider in a few months to open a second car cleaning business with them, due to the fact that they found my concept of eco-friendly hand car wash and valeting services which is being received very well.

I am now more confident as a business woman, and I am looking forward to increasing my income as soon as the business breaks even, which I hope within the next two months

WBDA – continue the good work – promoting women in the hard business world.

About LEP Services

Providing car washing and valeting services at the Shire Retail Park in Leamington Spa. The service is available to motorists who come for shopping at the shopping complex. The cars are cleaned, washed and/or valeted.

For more information about Elizabeth’s services please contact her on ehorlemann@ymail.com or visit her at the Shire’s Retail Park in Leamington Spa.