Start-up Business of the Year Drive to succeed WHEN Tony Raynor founded Abbey Telecom in Blackburn in 1992 the firm had just two staff members. Today the company has 15 employees in two offices and has grown into a well-respected telecommunications company with clients across the UK. And according to Tony, above, also president of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, the most important thing when starting a business is making sure you take advantage of all the help available. He said: My best tip is to engage the range of business support agencies available. The help new companies can enjoy in East Lancashire is better than anywhere else in the country. Also successful start-up businesses will be those that don't overspend - the ones that put their money where it will develop the business. Lancashire people generally are very good at making money go far. People starting up their own business should surround themselves with other business people - you'd be surprised at how successful people's qualities can rub off. Similarly, another tip is to copy big businesses. There is a lot to be said for studying the way they do business. The bigger you think the bigger you'll be. The most successful start-up firms are those that form their corporate identity very early and are consistent with everything from company colours, fonts and letterheads. Finally, being a people person is the most important quality, because businesses are about people. You have to-give people what they want and that means everyone from customers and suppliers to employees. Cllve Memmott, chief executive of Business Link Lancashire, added: Launching and building a business can be daunting, but with support and the motivation, determination and spirit to succeed many fledgling firms get off the ground in Lancashire. Last year Business Link Lancashire worked with 13,387 new businesses and are seeking to work with 14,965 this year. We are delighted to be sponsoring the start-up category to reward those businesses that have turned ideas into a reality After being in business for more than 10 years, Tony is ineligible to enter this category, But if you think you deserve to win this award contact us for an entry form for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph 2005 Business Awards, supported by the North West Development Agency START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR HOW TO ENTER To enter the Lancashire Evening Telegraph 2005 Business Awards, supported by the North West ::: Development Agency, contact Rachel Woolley or Andrew Taylor for an application form. You can phone 01254 298209, email atayfor@lancashire. newsquestco.uk or write to them at: Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Newspaper House, HIgh Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph 2005 Business Awards will take place on Friday, September 16. Closing date for entries is Friday, August 12. LAUNCHING your own business requires a whole range of skills and qualities and this award is designed to recognise and celebrate them. If you are a manufacturer finding suppliers, getting your goods actually made and establishing a market are all major hurdles to be overcome. We are looking for fledgling businesses which have successfully taken those first few steps. You might only have been formed for a few months but you should not have been operating as a business for more than four years.

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