Paul Barrett set up IED Training Solutions Limited (IED TS) last June with his friend Ian Clark.
Q. Why did you start in business? My military career ended after sustaining life changing injuries while serving on operations in Afghanistan so I spent the last several years rehabilitating. In 2014, I spoke with my friend Ian who served in the same conflict about the idea of returning to college to gain qualifications for a new career.
Realising the military had provided a high level of real life experience, instructor skills and knowledge we decided to start our own training company. We now provide a range of first aid, health and safety, trauma stress management and fire safety training courses.
Q. How did you get to where you are today? Our military careers have played a big part. It taught us to work hard, learn from mistakes and have the will to succeed.
As well as fantastic support from family and friends, Business Gateway and Angus Council’s advice helped us set up the business.
Q. Who has helped you?
Business Gateway guided us through the preparation of our business plan and helped with financial forecasting which was important not only for setting up the business but developing it.
We also had help from the FSB and Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.
My fiancée Nova Howarth has also given us wonderful support.
Q. Your biggest mistake?
Probably compiling a professional email and sending it to numerous potential clients at the same time. A mistake I’ll never repeat.
Q. Your greatest achievement?
Gaining accreditation from the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) after developing a unique course which looks at combating traumatic stress in the commercial world.
Our course trains personnel from within organisations to ensure a flexible response and is designed to enhance health and safety policy in the workplace.
On a personal level, it would be overcoming and defying death twice.
Q. What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I would like to see IED TS Ltd provide training to more organisations and try to inspire, educate and develop the occupational culture within workplaces.
Q. Do you want to recruit?
I would love to eventually train and employ people.
Q. What is the hardest thing about running a business?
Having come from a military background I find it hard promoting myself as your work and ethos speaks for you.
Q. Any advice to wannabe entrepreneurs?
Never be afraid to try something. We all make mistakes and it is how we learn from them that matters. Also, go to Business Gateway for support and advice.