Jane defies odds against success

Starting a new business in the middle of a recession is the last thing on most people’s minds, but Jane Dronsfield has done just that, believing that the right product will sell in any economic climate.

And Jane, from Dobcross, is being proved right.

Jane (41) stopped working as an accident investigator for a large international insurance firm after taking a career break to have twins, Meadow and Kirsten, now aged five.

Her husband Steven (38) and the companies he worked with were soon making use of her time and expertise and Jane managed several large building projects, including the conversion of a barn into their current family home.

After years of dealing with expensive consultants and investigating insurance claims, Jane identified a gap in the market, realising there was a great deal of overlap in the work carried out by different types of consultants.

Streamlining this work is helping businesses run more effectively and soon Jane had assembled a team of consultants to act as a one-stop shop and integrate health and safety, environmental and quality management systems.

Jane and Co launched 12 months ago and she said: “I think it’s important to impart your knowledge and to earn a living but it’s not important to rip people off. This is where an inherently bad culture comes from.

“I don’t charge for retention of services and companies are really pleased because they can still use my CV and my engagement letter. If my companies grow, get bigger contracts and start working nationally as opposed to locally then my services will be engaged as they grow.”

There are a lot of benefits to starting a business in a recession, as Jane explained “The thing about setting the business up in the recession is that it was the right time for me personally and it gave me the time to explore how the business was going to develop.

“I’ve found from the initial idea, which was health and safety, it’s progressed far more into the management of health and safety. Most people are coming to me during the recession and saying if we have any chance of getting bigger contracts we need these management systems in place to satisfy a procurement need.”

Jane initially intended to work near to her home in Saddleworth but recognises that modern communications systems mean she could offer her expertise to companies anywhere in the world. She is already working all over the UK and even as far afield as Australia.

“While the children are still small I would prefer to work in the North-West but because I manage my consultants remotely, there is no reason why I can’t roll out the whole concept across the country. Communication systems are fantastic, with e-mails and Blackberries there’s no reason for location to be an issue.”