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A Smart Future for New Business

"Before contacting Enfield Enterprise Agency I was drowning in the complexity of starting a business. Without Chrystelle, who gave me fantastic support and advice which helped me to bring my product to the market efficiently, it’s unlikely that I would be in the position I am today." Abiola Ajayi-Obe, SmartChartz Republic

If you’ve got children, being efficient and effective at work doesn’t always mean that you’ll have the upper hand at home. That’s what Abiola Ajayi-Obe found when she left her job as an NHS Risk Manager to become a full-time mother. So she decided to adapt the risk management systems she had used at work, to her home life.

When other parents became excited at the chart system, Abiola realised that her simple idea could have mass-market appeal and, in May 2003, SmartChartz was born.

"It was the first time I’d started a business and I felt quite unprepared for the future, so I went on almost ten start-up courses at Enfield Enterprise Agency." But sometimes, too much information can swamp the ‘big idea’ and Abiola admitted to being overwhelmed by the complexity of what appeared to be ahead so she requested a business mentor.

"I wasn’t eating, or sleeping and was very stressed, but as soon as we began working together, things changed for the better," said Abiola. "Chrystelle helped me put everything in perspective and pointed me to alternative sources of funding, which helped me access a £10,000 loan through the Enterprise Credit Union Phoenix Fund to get my product developed. It’s fair to say that I leaned on her very heavily at the beginning, I truly don’t know what I would have done without her. But as time has gone on, she’s done her job so well and I’m now flying solo – although always knowing that she’s on the end of a telephone if I need her!"

SmartChartz are now available in 10 stores nationwide including Selfridges, Bentalls and are soon Fenwicks. In June 2005, Abiola won the Enfield Start-up Business of the Year Award.

"Going on the Business Link for London Mentoring programme at Enfield Enterprise Agency was the best decision I made," she said "I wish it could last for ever."

Abiola was a panellist on the last Dragon's Den TV series.