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Case Study - Seth Miller

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Member Name: 
Seth Miller
Company Name: 
Hedge-Hogs
When did you start your business?: 
In December 2006
What do you do?: 
We are a Bradford-based landscape gardening company who can provide regular maintenance for private and corporate customers – or complete one-off projects such as fencing, tree-surgery or paving.
What made you want to set up your own business?: 
I didn’t want to work for anyone else so I decided to use the skills I already had to start my own business. I had worked on parks and open spaces in London so it was just a case of getting established in Yorkshire and building a good reputation.
What is the biggest problem you have faced?: 
Gardening is such a vast subject and there are hundreds of thousands of different varieties of plants – so, although I have a really solid base, I am constantly learning and researching what I do. I read lots of books and magazine to keep up-to-date, I use the internet, and I even have a friend who works in Kew Gardens. But, if all else fails – my Mum is a great help!
How long were you thinking about starting up?: 
Quite a few months. I spent a long time thinking about how I could make my company different from all the other gardening business out there.
What is your greatest success?: 
Transforming untidy and unloved gardens into something that our customers – and us – are really proud of.
What is the most important quality you need to work for yourself?: 
Discipline and organisation – always turn up five minutes early rather than five minutes late.
What do you love most about working for yourself?: 
Being outdoors…..when it’s not raining!
How has Bradford Kickstart helped you?: 
Bradford Kickstart has been an incredible help. They produced my website free of charge and I am very, very proud of it. They also sorted out an accountant for me as I don’t know anything about book-keeping. It would have been much harder to start up Hedge-Hogs without this support.
What advice would you give other people about setting up a business?: 
Be punctual, be professional, look the part and be passionate about helping your customers.
Website: 
http://www.hedgehogsoutdoor.co.uk