North Wales entrepreneur turns teacher at business start-up school

Cath, who launched JVP Group in January, was a keynote speaker at the event which was run by the Welsh Government in collaboration with management consulting company Innovas.

She explained how she’d spotted a potential market niche whilst working in recruitment. Around 95% of jobseekers now search online. There were many online job boards and recruitment companies. But there were very few affordable online recruitment advertising services offering consultative support combined with a transparent approach (which would, for example, make clear who vacancies were with). After carefully researching her potential clients’ issues - jobseekers as well as employers - she launched JVP Group

Cath advised the graduates to think about business start-up challenges like time management and prioritising workloads. She encouraged the would-be entrepreneurs to set high standards from the outset and explained why recommendations are so powerful in the business world. In addition, the graduates benefited from suggestions about the best ways to successfully market a business and to make the most efficient use of technology.

Cath also took the opportunity to talk about the financial support she’d received from the Welsh Government’s Graduate Bursary Scheme and the business support she’d had from Tim Ashcroft of Innovas. She explained how critical it is to manage cash flow and why start-ups should explore all funding and business support opportunities available to them. 

JVP Group’s success means Cath is now expanding its services and has regular repeat business from a broad client base. She is currently recruiting for her own team as part of plans to expand the business.

Cath says ‘I wanted graduates to appreciate there’s a huge amount to think about both beforehand and once you are up and running. Research, plan, go for it then continuously review. Remember to work on your business - not just in it. But running your own business is incredible and rewarding in many ways. Above all, I want them to enjoy the experience of starting their business because that will give them the passion and stamina to succeed!’

Innovas Managing Director Tim Ashcroft comments ‘Cath joined the Graduate Bursary Scheme in 2013. She worked hard putting together a detailed business case and plan. She is already demonstrating early successes with business coming in from across the UK. There is no doubt her focused and professional approach has underpinned her rapid growth to date.’

Other speakers at the bootcamp included Dafydd Hardy, managing director of Dafydd Hardy Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents, and Diane Roberts from Santander Universities. The event culminated in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentation. This gave the graduates an opportunity to put their newly-learnt skills into practice by making a business pitch to the bootcamp presenters.

To find out more about JVP Group’s services visit www.JVPGroup.co.uk or contact Cath on 0844 9674467. Further information about the Graduate Bursary Scheme and other start-up support can be found on the Business Wales website or contact Tim Ashcroft directly at tim.ashcroft@innovas.co.uk.