Full steam ahead for Iron Maidens as business mentor helps to

Case Study: October 2014.
Full steam ahead for Iron Maidens as business
mentor helps to smooth a pathway to growth
Client:
Iron Maidens, Sutherland
Road, Longton.
Iron Maidens
Managing
Director and
business mentor
Don Butterworth.
Activity:
Commercial and domestic
laundry services
Mentor:
Don Butterworth
Programme: Let’s Do Mentoring.
A commercial and domestic laundry
is building a bright future with the help
of a business mentor.
completely different environment.
“I was matched up with Don and it
has been a huge success. Don is a
and marketing and general day to
day operations – things which are
treated as specialist disciplines in big
business.
Iron Maidens was founded by Sharon
great sounding board for my ideas, I
Bridgett in her home garage 15 years
believe that sometimes you are so
“As mentors we bring management
ago after she was made redundant by
close to your own business that you
experience and will offer confidential
a local council.
cannot see what needs to be done
advice to a business.
The business expanded into a shop
at Oakhill, Stoke-on-Trent, and forged
and Don gives me that view from
outside looking in.
“A particular task at Iron Maidens was
to help Sharon to segment the market
a successful reputation as a domestic
“Having a mentor has given me the
so that she had a clear idea of who to
laundry before Sharon decided to
confidence to go out to other
offer her commercial laundry services
diversify into commercial services two
businesses and say ‘yes, I am a
to.
years ago.
businesswoman.’ Now that I have had
With the help of Let's Do Mentoring's
Don Butterworth, the business has
thrived and now has seven
this experience, I would like to think
that I could mentor someone in the
future.”
employees working across two sites,
With a background in business
the Oakhill shop and a commercial
development and marketing, Don has
laundry in Longton.
been able to help Sharon to identify
“I decided to get a mentor as a result
and sell in to new markets.
“This has helped give Sharon the
confidence to go out and sell her
business – an area in which she
shines.”
Positive outcomes
Business Practice: Sales and
marketing strategy revamped.
of talking to Adele Cope at.the
“When I first looked at Iron Maidens I
Assistance in growing the business..
Chamber of Commerce,” said
saw the potential for the business to
Sharon. “At the time, I was just
grow,” said Don. “It was all about
moving from only having the Oakhill
finding the market for Iron Maidens.
shop for domestic laundry to setting
up a commercial laundry and this
meant coming to terms with a Running a small business can be a
lonely place, you are often
responsible for the finances, sales If you would like to access mentoring or become a mentor contact the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Contact details: NSCCI, Commerce House, Festival Park, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5BE Tel: 01782 213 929 | Fax: 01782 202 448 | Email: johnthompson@nscci.co.uk Web: www.nscciprojectteam.co.uk Employment: Workforce increased
from two to seven
Prospects: Growth due to the
identification of new sales prospects
and markets.