I have always had a dream that one day I would work for myself and run a successful business. Two and a half years ago I decided that I would try and turn that dream into a reality.

I was at the time an IT Support Manager at a London college and although I enjoyed my work and took a great deal of satisfaction out of the job, I felt the time for a new challenge was upon me.

I embarked on a business partnership with my now fellow company director and we started working together as a web design and IT Support company but in our own time.

Deciding to take the plunge full time always seemed like a distant possibilty with a mortgage and bills to pay and I struggled to see how I could ever justify leaving my day job with gauranteed income for a new riskier occupation working for myself.

I had a business name I wasn't happy with and no branding for my company at the time I met Steve from SMP Solutions. Steve invited me to work on his website and together we have created this site as a showcase for SMP Solutions services and success stories. During this process Steve invited me to attend one of SMP's  'Kick Start Your Career' Evening Workshops.

Being by nature sceptical with these sort of things, I attended not expecting to get a great deal out of the workshop but how wrong I was....

That evening at the career workshop my eyes were opened to the opportunities I had in front of me, how to start the process of networking and really taking the business on to the next level.

The workshop was an excellent and inspiring experience and that very evening my new business name suddenly came to me.... BrightCode. Was it a co-incidence or was it that the workshop had motivated me to look at my position and my new business and immediately start to make things  happen and take shape? I can only think it was this as from there on I never looked back.

That night I made a promise to myself that I would leave my day job in the new year. Only 2 months later I handed in my notice  at work! Another month on from there I had taken the 'leap of faith' and was self employed and running my own business... it felt like a breath of fresh air! I was 'free' and so pleased with myself and appreciative of the SMP workshop. If I had followed my instincts I may have never attended the workshop and more than likely would still have my day job and be working on my business in my spare time.

I have now been running the company full time for 5 months and the business is going from strength to strength. I am totally energised looking forward to the next challenges as we have recruited staff and are about to move into office premises!

Thank you Steve & Debbie for your encouragement and support, especially in realising the benefit I would gain from your workshop. I am sure many other people will find your Evening and Full Day Career Transition workshops can help to transform their  lives to achieve their career goals! 

Lee