Case studies: Catalan IS Services Ltd.

Catalan IS Services Ltd
Catriona Cripps
33 Coneypark
Stirling FK7
9LU

Tel: 01786473232

Email: catriona@catalan-is.co.uk

Background

Catriona Cripps offers local companies peace of mind and security after launching her own Information Technology (IT) solutions company with the help of Women Into Business.

Catalan IS Services Ltd. was established by Catriona and her business partner Alan Falconer in October 2002 and provides a range of IT services including business management systems, networking, business continuity management, project management, security and eCommerce solutions.

As an information systems consultancy Catalan is also an accredited reseller for larger IT companies such as Novell, Computer Associates and ACCPAC.

Setting up

Catriona said:

“I had been in full-time employment until May 2001 when I left my job to pursue contracting work. When this came to an end one year later I sat down to re-evaluate my options.

“At this time my now business partner was made redundant from his job so we took the decision to take the plunge and go it alone. We’d always harboured ambitions of running our own company we just needed the opportunity to give it a go.

“Initially we did encounter some problems. Although we had years of experience in business as well as IT, that unfortunately didn’t qualify us to set up and run our own company. This is where I believe a number of small businesses fail as people don’t have all the skills such as finance, administrative skills and sales and marketing that are necessary in running a well rounded, successful company.”

Help from Business Gateway

Catriona contacted Business Gateway Forth Valley and enrolled in a business start-up course which covered topics such as customer care and sales and marketing. She was also given practical advice on her business plan and secured an IT start-up grant.

Catriona added:

“Alan and I found the support we received from Business Gateway to be invaluable. I was put in touch with Women Into Business which helped tremendously.

“The one thing that I learned in my first year of self-employment was the importance of networking. When I first started going to the Women Into Business events I did feel very lost and unsure as to what the future might bring. However I soon found that the seminars helped me to put my problems into perspective and they gave me a renewed sense of confidence and determination.

“I would advise anyone who is considering launching their own company to take advantage of the support services offered by Women Into Business and Business Gateway. We certainly would not be in the position we are had it not been for them and we are now looking to hire additional staff which will enable us to concentrate our efforts on further expanding the business.”