Conrad Merrin shortlisted for Best New Start Up in the Richmond Business Awards.

Richmond based Chartered Surveyors Conrad Merrin have been shortlisted for the Best New Start Up category in the Richmond Business Awards.

Business Secretary Vince Cable and Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith will present awards to the winning companies at a ceremony to be held in the Lensbury Club on Thursday, 20 October 2011.

Chartered Surveyor and founder of Conrad Merrin Paul Beningfield said “we are delighted to be shortlisted for the Best Start up Award; it makes all of the hard work and effort over the last 18 months worthwhile”.

This is a real success story for a small start up businesses and especially for Paul, who was made redundant two years ago at the height of the 2009 recession, Paul recalls “it wasn’t a good time to be in the construction sector, budgets were being cut, and there were redundancies everywhere. Construction is usually one of the first sectors to be hit when there is an economic down turn, but this was particularly bad”.

Paul found himself unemployed and with mounting debts. After three months of unemployment Paul went on a Government funded training course which helped him decide to start up his own company. The company is now established and growing steadily.

We asked Paul why he thought Conrad Merrin has been so successful “The number one priority is to look after your clients, that is first and foremost, repeat business and recommendation is the key to growth. Of course networking, marketing and a good business plan also play a role but if you look after your clients and give a quality service you won’t go far wrong”

Conrad Merrin have had a busy 2011 picking up instructions in residential design, building surveys, commercial project management, and a Healthcare fit out project. They are also designing an office refurbishment for a law firm and converting a wharf warehouse into a furniture workshop and gallery for a client in SE1.

What was it like starting up in a bad recession? “Arguably it was the worst possible time to start a company, with all sectors cutting back and an industry crippled by the economic downturn. Eighteen months ago the choices were clear, either keep looking for a surveying job or start a company! I remember thinking, I have 25 years building surveying experience I’m good at deign and project management and I get on well with clients, so why not just take a chance and go for it!

Paul had started a company before so had a rough idea of the highs and lows experienced  running a start up; but nothing prepared him for the such a  dismal first years income. Paul said “Things were really tough and despite working 18 hour days and most weekends to promote the business; cash flow was very difficult. Luckily a small refurbishment project came in just as the overdraft had hit its maximum limit and that helped to ease the financial pressures. At the same time we developed some leads from the Earls Court Business start up exhibition which generated more work. Since then we have had lots of repeat business and it’s just grown from there!”

What have been the highs and lows over the last eighteen months?  “We have worked on some fantastic residential and commercial projects over the last 18 months and that has been rewarding. Also being shortlisted for the Richmond Business Awards ranks high, as well as working with some great clients and industry professionals.

Another highlight was rowing 21 miles in the Great River Race for the Victoria Foundation Charity. Conrad Merrin; along with other small businesses involved with Richmond Chamber of commerce braved wind rain and a choppy River Thames to raise thousands of pounds for local disabled children and other good causes.

But the best highlight happened last week, when we received signed contracts from two clients effectively guaranteeing us work for the next six months. This is brilliant news for Conrad Merrin because it allows us to make plans for growth and take on staff.

The lows, well there haven’t been many, but I would say learning how to do a profit and loss account ranks pretty low on the excitement scale!”

What’s next for Conrad Merrin “The next step is to grow the business and keep doing what we have been doing. We have recruited a further surveyor and Architectural technicians so we are putting the foundations in place to bid for larger jobs and position ourselves for when the economy starts to grow again”

We heard you have a famous client, is that true?  “Sort of, I’m afraid I can’t tell you who it is, but she is a lovely lady and we are designing a bespoke furniture work shop and showroom for her in South East London”

Conrad Merrin are Chartered Building Surveyors, Design Consultants and Project Managers based in Richmond they have been shortlisted in The Richmond Business Awards which takes place at the Lensbury Club in Teddington on the 20th October 2011. More information on Conrad Merrin can be found at www.conradmerrin.com or email paulb@conradmerrin.com

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