Anya Ledwith, ESHCon
Anya is as much at home on site in a depot, as she is at the board room table. She runs ESHCon, an environmental management consultancy, which advises businesses on how to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and increase profits.
"Having set up the business and seeing it work has made me realise I can do it as well, if not better, than anyone else."
The inspiration
Anya, is an expert in environmental management, and often came across companies that wanted to reduce their environmental impact, but didn’t know where to start. She realised this was a potential business opportunity and decided to start up a consultancy providing advice and practical guidance.
Getting started
"I relished the chance of experiencing the variety and different aspects of running a business,” says Anya. "However, I knew I had to get the right qualifications in place before I launched my business. Advising companies on what they are doing wrong or illegally requires authority. I decided to qualify as a chartered environmentalist. I’ve also had to learn to sound and act more assertively to get credibility."
Getting help
Anya's local Enterprise Gateway (a Business Link network aimed at supporting individuals who are considering starting their own business) helped her achieve focus. She also suggests that anyone considering setting up their own business should find themselves a mentor and join a networking organisation, such as a local Chamber of Commerce.
Anya started ESHCon in Autumn 2006 and has already built a successful business. "Since creating ESHCon two years ago, I’ve already helped many companies achieve real benefits in terms of cost savings and changing attitudes."
Anya's top tips
- Prepare well
Take time to plan your business properly before you press ahead. - Be confident
Have self-belief. Don’t be afraid of a few setbacks. - Get a business mentor
They’ll be an invaluable sounding board and source of encouragement
