In the latest of our blog series, we talk to another business we work with, to find out more about their journey, ambitions and top tips for business success.
Under the spotlight is Workplace Worksafe, founded by managing director Rhian Parry. The Ruthin-based firm has grown steadily in recent years and has ambitions for further growth. Originally, the business supplied general personal protection equipment but has recently expanded into specialist areas offering protection items for offshore windfarms. It has also designed its own large component safety transportation bags for the energy sector.
Here, Rhian Parry shares what she's learned on her business journey so far.
Tell us about Workplace Worksafe.
We currently have 15 staff at our base in Ruthin, and our success is down to our knowledge of what industry needs, including key equipment requirements.
I designed high-specification protection transportation systems for energy sector components, which can be subject to damage during transportation and installation. It is mostly these items that have driven the company’s growth and our significant export business.
Our continued growth will be based on a combination of further growth in our new product for the energy sector, further overseas expansion as well as growth in the core workwear business.
What are your proudest moments in business so far?
I have a couple. One is a recent one, when one of our products which I designed, developed and which is manufactured in Wales won the highly commended award from the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF ) for a Safety Solution in industry.
We were up against some really tough competition and against huge multinational organisations. Having a product I designed and developed recognised by the safety industry was such a proud and emotional moment for me.
But I am also proud every day, because I am so lucky to work with my team here in Ruthin. We have such an amazing team, and everyone works so hard. Together we achieve really good things for the company: win new customers, deal with tough deadlines all the time, and we manage to it (most of the time!) with a laugh and a smile. I could not do what I do in business without our team – I never forget this and I am so proud of how we have grown and developed the amazing team here from scratch.
If you were starting again, what would you do differently?
I don’t think I would do much differently at all. It has honestly been a very rewarding and enjoyable process and one which I have gained so much satisfaction from as well.
How has support from Business Wales AGP helped your business?
Marketing and PR and specific sales coaching from Business Wales AGP have been the most valuable for us, it’s really helped us as we’ve grown.
What advice and guidance would you give other businesses starting out?
- Never undersell yourself: charge for your time. If you’re going to spend eight hours making something then charge for the time it took you to make it.
- Know your product marketplace, costs, sales. I see way too many companies undersell the product they make because they feel guilty they have made it – and it’s not been made by a larger company.
- Believe in yourself and your products – there is a reason people buy off you and it’s because of you, the service or product.
- The customer is truly king, the day you forget that then shut the door and go home!
Learn more about Workplace Worksafe.
You can find further information on Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP)