Entrepreneur: Abby Robbins
Age: 44
Business Name: Yellow Bricks Recruitment
Industry: Talent Search
Location: Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I’ve always wanted to have my own business. I liked the idea of building financial security, not having to rely on anyone else. When I started to talk to people about my ideas, including some of my old clients, they said things like, ‘you should definitely do it, you’re made for this’. Sharing my business ideas out loud gave me the confidence to finally make it happen.
One day, I went to an accountancy firm on my lunch break and paid them to register the company. That’s when I thought, ‘Oh, my God, I’m actually doing this’. I also secured the domain name for my website. Knowing my company would be out there in the world, where my bosses could have seen it, meant I had to resign.
A few days later, I opened a business bank account. I remember thinking, ‘I’m an entrepreneur now’, because the person at the bank was speaking to me as an entrepreneur and taking me seriously.
When I handed in my notice, the CEO called and offered me another bigger role, but my self-belief made me say no.
Had you been planning this for a long time?
Yes. When you’re working for a corporate firm, you have to do things you don’t necessarily agree with, whereas when you’re an entrepreneur, you get to make all the choices. My plan was always to find an industry I loved and then go out on my own.
The thing that tipped me over the edge was having my first child and being able to pause from work. When you’re in the grind, living paycheck to paycheck, you don’t have a minute to think about your future. Maternity leave offered me a reset – time to think about what I wanted from life.
What had been holding you back?
My ambition was always there, but I needed to build my confidence. I remember going into WH Smith and buying a book about entrepreneurship, which explained how to set up a business and register a limited company, but it felt like quite an overwhelming task.
I didn’t know anyone who’d set up a business before, especially not a woman, as my industry is quite male-dominated. I had no role models or champions who would help me.
As I didn’t come from a wealthy family background, there was no one to prop me up financially, either. This meant I had to consider my living expenses very carefully before stepping away from a regular salary.
» MORE: Going Self-Employed: What You Need to Know
How did you get ready to start your business?
I tried to be realistic that it wasn’t going to go well from day one.
The first thing I did was plan my financial cushion. I was the breadwinner, we had just bought a house, and our mortgage was really expensive. I also had my daughter and had to pay for childcare.
We focused on putting a bit of money away so that I could trial the business for three months. That gave me the fire to get out there and do it.
How long did it take for your business to start making money?
I had some flyers printed and had my mother-in-law stuffing them into envelopes for me. I went out in my car with bags of fliers in my baby’s car seat, and I drove to every company I could think of. I went in, introduced myself and gave them my flyer.
A couple of weeks later, I got a bite, and within five weeks, my first invoice went out to that client. I charged the going rate and wasn’t challenged on it at all. I didn’t try to undercut any competitors. You don’t need to devalue yourself just because you’re small.
» MORE: How to Write an Invoice
Has your team grown over the years?
A lot of entrepreneurs seem to think they need a huge headcount, but I’ve always kept a lean team. They work really hard and get paid really well.
One team member came in with the right attitude and has been with me for nine years, but I’ve constantly got my eye on what’s coming down the road and who I might need. They’re not always going to be permanent staff, but I always try to positively affect their career, however long they’re with Yellow Bricks. We keep in touch, and I help them on their way.
If you genuinely care about your people and want them to do well, you look after them, because if you understand what’s going on in their lives, you can help them to be better at work.
What advice would you like to share with other aspiring entrepreneurs?
I meet a lot of people at events who say, ‘I want to start my own business’. I think it’s important to explain what it’s really going to be like at the beginning: how you’re not going to sleep, you’re going to worry about everything, you’re going to think, ‘All my friends are going on holiday and I can’t afford it’.
When you run your own business, you become the chief-of-everything officer. If you get an office, you’ve got to sort the lease out, order the stationery and clean the toilet.
People looking from the outside might think, ‘It’s all right for you, you’ve got your own business’, but there have been things I’ve had to give up. The reason I’ve done all of this is to be there more for my family and to set my own course. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
You can find Yellow Bricks Recruitment on Instagram @teamyellowbricks and on LinkedIn @yellow-bricks-ltd.
About the Author
Dive even deeper
Best Business Credit Cards – Compare Our Top Rated Company Credit Cards
by Ceri Roberts
Income Protection Insurance Explained
by George Harrison
Personal Accident Insurance Explained
Image credit: Abby Robbins, founder of Yellow Bricks recruitment