Making the leap from employee to entrepreneur: 5 crucial tips

Heather, Christina and a box of We Luv Brownies in the radio studio

Many dream of launching a business; not everyone pursues their dream. For people in a secure job with a regular salary it can be difficult – or terrifying – to take the leap from employee to entrepreneur.

This latest Business Live radio show podcast features guest Heather Moore, who set up brownie business, We Luv Brownies, 18 months ago after a 12-year career in the civil service.

Heather was joined on the programme by Christina Lima Trindade, a business advisor from Business Sheffield and Launchpad (part of the Sheffield City Region Growth hub).

I quizzed Heather about why and how she took the leap to launch her business; the support she’s received from advisors; and some advice for other want-to-be entrepreneurs. And Christina discussed stress-testing business ideas; business planning and accessing the advice that support agencies can provide.

Have a listen to the podcast below, featuring discussion around:

• How to build a loyal customer base
• Responding to customer demand
• Growing the business and increasing confidence
• Selling to the public and business-to-business
• Transferable skills, priorities and planning

Heather is now making 300 to 500 brownies per week, and we sampled a few during the show. Listen to the podcast here:

Timings (music played in the radio broadcast removed from podcast):

• 0 – 9:02 introduction and updates, including news about a partnership between McLaren Automotive, the sports car manufacturer, and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), involving the launch of a purpose-built production facility; and news about the finalists and winners of UK Steel Enterprise’s Y-Accelerator initiative;
• 9:02 – 25:41 Heather and Christina;
• 25:41 – 25:48 (on the podcast) we took a music break in the live show to snaffle the goods;
• 25:48 – 39:51 back to Heather and Christina;
• 39:15 – end wrapping up and some forthcoming events.

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