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Business Factory Podcasts
Hear from people who've been there and done it!
Lockrite
Mark Maloney is
unlocking a new career in business after an accident meant leaving his forces
life behind him.
Mark, from Battle Hill, North Tyneside, took a medical discharge from the RAF after a motor accident and had to make a new life for himself on 'civvy street'.
After working in a number of different jobs, including taxi driving, Mark, 33, decided to be his own boss after retraining and setting up a Lockrite franchise.
Mark said: "I originally joined the army and then moved on to the RAF. In a way the forces is your life and adjusting to the world outside can be a difficult transition."
"I found myself drifting and I wanted to take more control of my life. Being my own boss seemed to be the answer but I wanted the backing of a franchise so I would have some security behind me."
Mark had seen the Lockrite franchise opportunity advertised and they advised him to approach The Business Factory in North Tyneside, for help in setting up a business.
The Business Factory, based on High Street West in Wallsend, is North Tyneside Council’s one-stop-shop for budding entrepreneurs to get all the advice and support they need. Mark received help in putting together a business plan, setting up a simple accounting system and raising finance to buy into the national Lockrite franchise.
George Wafer from the Business Factory said: "Like many ex-forces personnel, Mark found himself at a crossroad. He took the right step in finding out what new opportunities are out there and then took action."
Mark served in Germany and Bosnia during his time in the army before moving to RAF Connisby in Lincolnshire, where he served as a fireman.
He said: "The nature of my injury was such that I could not move into the civilian fire service, but I was determined to do something myself. After an intensive training course I became qualified to carry out the full lock fitting and emergency repair services which I operate on a 24-hour basis."
Mark, from Battle Hill, North Tyneside, took a medical discharge from the RAF after a motor accident and had to make a new life for himself on 'civvy street'.
After working in a number of different jobs, including taxi driving, Mark, 33, decided to be his own boss after retraining and setting up a Lockrite franchise.
Mark said: "I originally joined the army and then moved on to the RAF. In a way the forces is your life and adjusting to the world outside can be a difficult transition."
"I found myself drifting and I wanted to take more control of my life. Being my own boss seemed to be the answer but I wanted the backing of a franchise so I would have some security behind me."
Mark had seen the Lockrite franchise opportunity advertised and they advised him to approach The Business Factory in North Tyneside, for help in setting up a business.
The Business Factory, based on High Street West in Wallsend, is North Tyneside Council’s one-stop-shop for budding entrepreneurs to get all the advice and support they need. Mark received help in putting together a business plan, setting up a simple accounting system and raising finance to buy into the national Lockrite franchise.
George Wafer from the Business Factory said: "Like many ex-forces personnel, Mark found himself at a crossroad. He took the right step in finding out what new opportunities are out there and then took action."
Mark served in Germany and Bosnia during his time in the army before moving to RAF Connisby in Lincolnshire, where he served as a fireman.
He said: "The nature of my injury was such that I could not move into the civilian fire service, but I was determined to do something myself. After an intensive training course I became qualified to carry out the full lock fitting and emergency repair services which I operate on a 24-hour basis."
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