Just over a year ago when I first discussed the idea of starting my own business with friends and family, they didn’t beat aroundthe bush, they all categorically thought it was ‘plain stupid’. “Who starts a business during the worst recession the UK has everexperienced?” They heralded.

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“My choice has been a determination to be different;to offer an alternative approach within the

recruitment industry”

STARTING A BUSINESS IN A RECESSION

SHREWD OR STUPID?Granted setting up a business at any time canbe a daunting prospect and certainly duringeconomic downturn I knew it wasn’t going tobe a walk in the park, but I’ve always beensomeone who likes to think slightly outside thebox and my take on the situation was that thiscould possibly be the best time to start abusiness – especially if your business isfundamentally based on wanting to helppeople and other businesses to succeed.

We spend the biggest chunk of our lives working.In some cases carving a worthy career forourselves, yet for many our day to day working livesand career choices are not necessarily fulfilling.Surely our career should be a fundamentalcomponent of the aspirational lifestyle choicethat we make for ourselves? If we have anentrepreneurial spirit and a burning desire, even inthe fledgling stages of our career, to take a leap offaith in our own abilities and be our own boss, thenwhy not?

Age and experience do not determine businesssuccess or failure. In the words of famousbusiness guru and adviser Michael Gerber;“…experience has shown me that the people whoare exceptionally good in business aren’t sobecause of what they know but because of theirinsatiable need to know more.”

This past year my thirst for knowledge has been

unquenchable and I have approached my venturewith drive, enthusiasm and genuine passion inorder to build a reputable brand that is alreadyenjoying success.

My choice has been a determination to bedifferent; to offer an alternative approach within therecruitment industry. My brand values are basedon quality and style.

I have helped people to examine their careerchoices and to successfully capitalise on theirstrongest assets, as part of a complete lifestylechoice. I have worked with companies to reassesstheir HR requirement and find them the keypeople they need to consolidate and grow theirbusinesses.

In my opinion it is wildly misguided to suggest thatthe success or failure of a business in any industrysector, is solely determined by the economicstability of the UK.

Intrinsic to my business philosophy is the need tohave realistic expectations and be prepared tomake brave decisions! I have been bold andinvested in good people and in return theircommitment and skills are sprouting saplings ofsuccess.

We set out to be a vibrant, dynamic and stylishorganisation and I believe this, too, has contributed

to our success.

Young entrepreneurs are often labelled as ‘naïvelyoptimistic’ and I have certainly been on thereceiving end of that tag and if I’m brutally honest,I’m also guilty of being an accuser – particularlywhen sat on the sofa watching BBC TV’s DragonsDen!

However, as 2010 begins, I raise my half- full glass(I’m certainly not a ‘glass half-empty’ kind of girl!)to a possibly bumpy, yet thrilling ride ahead. Wehave set, what some might say are optimisticforecasts for the year, but we consider them to betotally realistic, building on the successfulfoundations that we solidified in 2009. I amcertainly not naïve, but of course I am totallyoptimistic. My advice to any budding entrepreneurconsidering this as ‘their’ year to boldly go forth andstart their own business, is that without optimismthere really is no point!

During 2010 The Career Boutique will behosting a series of informative BusinessSeminars in partnership with leading Oxfordshiresolicitors, Withy King. For further details visitwww.thecareerboutique.com

Katherine Dales is founder of successful Oxfordbased recruitment consultancy, The CareerBoutique and she is an Ambassador of B4.

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