Case studies: myOrganiser Ltd.

myOrganiser Ltd
Deborah Forrest

Email: deb@myorganiser.com

Background

Deborah Forrest's most recent business is myOrganiser, aimed at stressed out clients with no time on their hands to organise their own busy lives. She hit on a unique concept to save time and money for cash rich - time poor professionals in need of a helping hand. myOrganiser offers Concierge, Butler and PA services to alleviate the burden of shopping, meal planning and sourcing birthday gifts, personal finance, holiday bookings and even school emergencies.

Accomplished

Deborah was already an accomplished businesswoman when she set up myOrganiser in 2001 and it was the pressures of her busy life, which first gave her the idea. She is the group Managing Director of Bethel Associates, which includes the full service advertising agency Bethel Marketing and the TV, video and radio production company, Bethel Communications.

She initially set up Bethel Marketing and developed the company to include a film and video production arm in the 1990s. She is also marketing director of the digital and web design company The Studio. In 1999 a national newspaper group approached her to set up a market research company in Scotland, which meant putting her own businesses aside for a time to become an associate director while setting up and developing the new company.

The idea

It was during this period that Deborah experienced serious burn out. She looked around for some help and searched for a concierge service in Scotland to alleviate some of the pressures associated with her domestic and social life, but she found that no such agency existed.

She went back to Bethel Associates and over the next year found herself discussing the idea of a New York style concierge service in Scotland with business people and friends. Everyone seemed to think it was a great idea so in early 2001 myOganiser was born. The business has grown enormously in just one year with clients all over the UK. Deborah now has plans to open offices in Australia, the US and Germany in the future.

Tips for businesswomen

Deborah's tips for other business women are simple; "It's all tied up in your staff, managers and co-directors. Look after your staff because they're your greatest asset - although I can also be very strict if I think someone isn't pulling their weight. We believe strongly in delegation in the organisation so that no one ends up under too much pressure."

Help from Scottish Enterprise

"Scottish Enterprise is very important to me: they were the people who helped me get started many years ago. I try to attend Women Into Business Networking meetings nowadays and it's often where I'll meet new suppliers. The meetings give you a chance to share with other people - and I'm always open to learning new things myself."

"I'd like to make an offer to your readers: market research is absolutely the most important thing you need to do before you start any new business. To help them along I'm happy to give some pointers if they just drop me an email. I hope to hear from some new businesswomen out there!"

If you'd like to contact Deborah, you can email her at: deb@myorganiser.com Or why not visit her website and check out myOrganiser for yourself.