A cake-maker hit by bad luck and poor fortune has risen to the challenge of launching his very own business thanks to a programme which helps people to turn their business dreams into a reality.
Phil Clemens, 44, from Swinton, always wanted to make it big in food, but a series of set-backs in his career almost made him give up all together.
More than 20 years ago, Phil got the taste for catering working in the restaurant of a top Manchester department store.
But a two-year Youth Training Scheme course he was on was axed due to funding issues, leaving Phil unable to complete his qualification.
Not one to give up, he went on to work in school catering, but running his own cake decorating business seemed like a pipe dream.
Three years ago things took a turn for the worse.
Phil was made redundant from his job working in a school canteen – where he specialised in making desserts – and was forced to take agency work to make ends meet.
But Phil was given a second chance at his career after spotting an advert promoting City West Housing Trust’s Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat programme.
Winning a £500 start-up grant with a Dragon’s Den-style pitch, he set about learning how to run his own cake baking business – Eye Sing on the Cake.
He said: “I’ve spent my entire career trying to make it as a professional caterer, I even once worked at a hotel in Switzerland – but I have never had the opportunity to achieve my dream.
“I had always wanted to work for myself, but I was close to giving up. I can’t believe how my luck has changed – I’ve now launched my own business and it is booming.”
City West renovated a room in Phil’s house to turn it into a working kitchen so he can operate his business from home. Over the next 6 months Phil learned how to create a business plan, secure financing, and how to promote the business through advertising and social media.
“Orders are coming in thick and fast since I completed the course,” said Phil.
“I’ve just received five stars for cleanliness and food hygiene from Salford City Council, and I’m planning to grow my business into a full catering firm in the future – eventually moving into a shop and hiring employees to help me out.
“City West has given me invaluable knowledge on how to turn my dream into reality and pushed me to achieve my goals – without them I would probably still be working temporary jobs. I would tell anyone either struggling to find work or dreaming of becoming their own boss to go on this course.”
If you have got a great business idea you want to make a reality, or want to find out more about Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat call City West’s commercial team on 0161 605 7792, or email enterprise@citywest.org.uk.
