I’m proud knowing we do the best job
Growing a firm builds confidence
AS most entrepreneurs will tell you, there are pros and cons to being self-employed. But for Andrew McGowan, one of the most unexpected benefits of growing a business has been the accompanying rise in self-confidence.
“I just love the challenge of building things up,” says the 48-year-old. “I find it rewarding both professionally and personally. For many years I wasn’t the most confident person in the world but that’s really changed over the last couple of years.”
Mr McGowan became involved with property maintenance company M&W Property two years ago, when one of the big clients he worked for put his name forward to manage the English firm’s expansion into Scotland. Since then the partnership has gone from strength to strength, with turnover tripling over the last 18 months.
The business’s biggest client is hospitality giant Whitbread, and Mr McGowan and his team of 12 look after Premier Inns from Newcastle to Inverness, and are about to embark upon a whole new stream of work with the brand, which has been expanding throughout the UK.
“Up until now we’ve only really been working on reactive maintenance, but now we’re lookingtosqueezeinsome refurbishments as well,” Mr McGowan explains.
“That will be challenging but exciting at the same time. We recently tried one out and it was hard work – we turned around 120roomsinsixdays–butvery rewarding.
“I trust myself and my team to deliver – if I didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to give the level of service our clients expect.”
Mr McGowan has been selfemployed for more than 20 years, but he says his partnership with M&W gives him the best of both worlds: room to build and develop the business with the backing of a bigger set-up.
“I’m looking to take us up over the million pound turnover mark this year,” he says.
“I set myself goals. If I don’t meet them I don’t lose sleep over it, but on the other hand I don’t expect things not to work. In the past I was always looking over my shoulder – not this time.”
The business is based at Storage Vault in Paisley, where Mr McGowan says the flexibility of access to different sized storage units as the business expands, as well as the office space, has been particularly useful.
“I think one of the most important things about working for yourself is the pride aspect, the buzz of going out there with your tender and getting the contract – knowing we can do the best job,” he says. “The hours can be very long, of course, especially when you put everything into it like I do.
“But I also see how important it is to make time for family and the things you enjoy. Everybody needs some escapism, it brings balance to life.
“In the past I didn’t have that balance and I ended up pretty stressed out. Switching off is important – you need time away. I play golf and I like to swim to clear my head. Recently, I have learned to leave the phone at home at weekends – I’ve not come across a problem yet that we haven’t been able to sort out.”
And McGowan has sage advice for people thinking of embarking on self-employment: don’t let self-doubt stop you.
“Having been on both sides, I would say learn the lessons of your previous employment and go into with a clear head,” he says.
“Don’t stress too much about taking that initial step – don’t listen to all the doubters. You can always go back if it doesn’t work out. If it doesn’t work out you’re not a failure, there’s a reason for it. Nothing is ever the end of the world.
“Also, don’t bury your head in the sand. Dealing with problems as they arise is always the best plan of action.
“In light of my own recent experiences I’d say consider looking for the right backing,” he adds. As I’ve discovered, having that can make all the difference.”