200 people delivered from benefits into entrepreneurship in the past six months in the North East

InBiz, has helped 200 people in the North East to realise their dream of entrepreneurship since July 2008, with 9 of these from Sunderland.

One such person is John Thornton, 56, from Sunderland. John was long-term unemployed and was struggling to find employment. John wanted to improve his education, and so went to Sunderland University to study English Studies. After gaining his degree, John taught photography, but this was not something that he saw as a long-term career.

John had a passion for model railways, and wanted to turn his hobby into something that he could earn a living from. John had the idea of producing and selling accessories for fellow model railway enthusiasts, but lacked any experience or knowledge of how to set up a business.

John was referred to InBiz, a national organisation specialising in the promotion and development of self employment and entrepreneurship, for help in making his idea come to life. At the InBiz office in St Thomas’ Street, John was assigned a personal business adviser, Lucretia Merrie.

John worked with Lucretia to learn about bookkeeping, and to devise a business plan. Lucretia also helped him to secure funding . John’s business, Hobby-Tec, is now successfully trading.

All of the products that John sells are made by him, from scratch. Most of his products are sold through eBay, but John as also set up a Hobby-Tec website.

John said, “Creating accessories for like-minded modellers is a labour of love, and to be able to turn it into a career is a dream come true. Setting up my own business hasn’t always been easy, but thanks to InBiz’s help, I am financially independent, I can work flexible hours, and I truly enjoy my work.”

Karen Kenmare, InBiz Area Manager in the North East, said, “John’s story is typical of the work that InBiz does in Sunderland. John knew what business he wanted to set up, and he had the practical skills to do it. InBiz helped John by providing him with the business knowledge to make his dream of entrepreneurship come true.”

InBiz Preess Release