A man from County Antrim has transformed months of unemployment into a thriving cleaning business, thanks to support from Enterprise Northern Ireland’s Explore Enterprise programme. Darren Crawford, from Ballymena and now living in Randalstown, turned his hospitality cleaning experience into a successful venture, Auburn Cleaning Services, which has already secured major contracts.
Darren, 33, struggled to find work with flexible hours to accommodate his partner’s health needs. After months of job hunting, he decided to pursue self-employment, recognising it as an ideal opportunity to build a career around his skills while maintaining the flexibility he needed.
However, while Darren had plenty of hands-on cleaning experience, he lacked the knowledge to run a business. That’s when he enrolled in the Explore Enterprise Support Service, a programme designed to help new entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. The service guided Darren through the early stages of establishing his company, providing invaluable advice and tools to help him manage the logistics of setting up his business.
“I had the cleaning experience but didn’t know how to run a business,” Darren explained. “Explore Enterprise helped me get the basics sorted, like knowing what I needed to do to run my business officially.”
With support from Enterprise NI, Darren quickly set about building a customer base for Auburn Cleaning Services, offering a variety of services such as domestic cleaning, builders’ cleans, deep cleans, and end-of-tenancy jobs. Most of his work is domestic, with clients signing up for regular weekly or fortnightly cleanings.
In less than a year, Darren’s business saw significant success. In one standout achievement, he secured a contract with Bann Limited, a national construction company based in Portadown, to clean 46 student accommodation units over the summer. Darren attributes this success to his involvement in the Explore Enterprise programme, and particularly to the promotional efforts made by his business adviser, Karen Wilson.
“Karen helped me with marketing, including a promotional post that showcased my uniform,” Darren said. “That’s how Bann Limited found me. Before that, I was only advertising to domestic customers, so the exposure really helped.”
Darren was pleasantly surprised by the rapid growth of his business. “I expected a slow and steady expansion, but getting such a large contract early on was an incredible achievement,” he said. “I honestly don’t think I would have gotten that without the support of Explore Enterprise.”
Beyond marketing, Darren also received help with crucial aspects of running a business, such as insurance, financial management, and tax records. The programme offered ongoing support, addressing every question he had and connecting him with experts when needed.
Reflecting on his journey, Darren said the support from the Explore Enterprise programme had exceeded his expectations. “The advice and services offered were incredible,” he said. “There was always someone to help me, and I wouldn’t have gotten where I am today without it.”
Darren’s success story highlights the vital role of the Explore Enterprise Support Service in helping entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland turn their dreams into reality. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the service is a lifeline for aspiring business owners looking for guidance and support as they establish themselves in the market.
Darren’s advice for anyone considering starting a business is simple: “Take the leap. There’s a lot of support available, and if you have a dream, just go for it. The service is there to help you every step of the way.” For more information on Enterprise NI go to www.enterpriseni.com