Not the sort of comment you'll usually hear from a twenty-one year old but Rachael Flanagan is not the usual. She is a young entrepreneur who, at just 21 years, is building a business that is growing at an accelerated rate that will see her as one of the new young highly successful stars in a relatively short time.

As she becomes known she will shine amongst her peers, an example for parents and inspiration to other entrepreneurs, both young and more experienced. And now she is a Grand Finalist in the Federation of Small Businesses Young Entrepreneur of the Year: just one of a handful of bright young business people out of the hundreds that were nominated from across Wales, England, Ireland & Scotland for this glittering prize.

Starting her Mrs Bucket cleaning business in Pontardulais at just 18 years when she decided that college might be important but starting a new business was paramount. She told me "I just thought I'd give it my best shot. I wanted to work for myself and do as well as my father who had build up a national catering company. I thought I'd be doing all the cleaning myself for the first year and was prepared to roll up my sleeves and get on with it. I thought it would be a long slow haul".

But imagine her surprise to find she now employs over 20 staff and has a large loyal clientele, in both the domestic and business sectors. Her staff wear smart uniforms and are carefully selected and trained to ensure that the Company reputation is maintained. And although her father might have a wealth of experience Rachel has taught herself or sought advice when necessary so that her business is based on a firm foundation. Full of innovative ideas and a determination to succeed through giving the very best in service and customer care she tells prospective clients "My name is Rachel. Tell me how my company can sort out your home or work cleaning. You have my word that if ever you feel we haven't done a perfect job then I will put it right without any question. I want you to enjoy your home or workplace without having to worry about the chores."

She explained to me that she decided on the name Mrs Bucket pronounced "Bouquet" after Hyacinth, the character in the TV sitcom.  And in fact her literature proclaims "Looking for a Cleaner? Trust Hyacinth" as can be seen on her website www.mrsbucketcleaning.co.uk .  Rachel confided in Jean Evans, her best friend Elizabeth's mother, who thought up the name when she had such strong faith in believing Rachel could start a small cleaning business. In fact Rachel often turns to Jean for guidance.

Rachel has now started to increase her share of the commercial sector having cut her teeth on domestic jobs. She told me that this was the way to grow and she is concentrating on securing some large contracts. She had planned to undertake smaller jobs to build up confidence and trust with her new customers but of course she has been fortunate to already secure larger jobs including a "new build clean" for a recently completed school: of which the project manager at T Richard Jones (Betws) Ltd said "We always expect a high standard from our cleaning Contractors but this was exceptional"

Although the business is relatively new, Rachel already has a folder of testimonials and is proud to display some on her website. She gives a fresh approach and puts this down to being so young and because she has no previous experience in the cleaning business. As she pointed out "most other cleaning companies are started by someone who left their old company and started up on their own because they thought they could do better or wanted to work for themselves. Many have been successful but they have carried forward ideas from their old company.

Dai Davies, The FSB Regional Organiser for South Wales said " We wish Rachael every success in this most prestigious event and are very proud to have such a strong contender from Wales. She is really outstanding and certainly deserves to have reached the national final. "

The national finalists will attend the BSBC national awards evening at Claridges in London on 21 November when one of them will be crowned "Young Entrepreneur of the Year".

Article by Mike Leahy of Marketing Basics on 01792 549803 or 07976 364681

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