Bal

My market research identified that there is a minimum of 10,000 non-English speaking refugees living within Coventry and to top that these figures are just an approximation. Nobody yet knows how many other status non-English speaking citizens there are. Because I help people to learn basic English I can identify with how difficult it must be to live your everyday life without being able to communicate. There are huge issues to consider such as medical emergencies, housing and employment – naming only a few.

I was aware that there are translating services available but from experience I new that they were not sufficient and most certainly could not accommodate over 3% of the population of Coventry. I wanted the purpose of my business to provide services to speakers of other languages and/or people whose first language is not English for example; Asylum seekers and refugees. As well as this I wanted to serve local organisations whose battle against language barriers has become a frustrating and difficult part of their day-to-day business activities.

My whole family background was focused around self employment so I was lucky to have huge amounts of support from my friends and relatives and I suppose it must be in my blood, but that didn’t mean I knew what I was doing, with a part time job, husband and two young kids I didn’t really want to mess around and waste time, so when a friend of a friend casually told me about The Women’s Business Development Agency (WBDA) I thought “right, lets get a move on”.

I first saw a business advisor from WBDA in April 2003 and it was suggested to me to attend something called a “Women’s Empowerment Programme” – fine I thought lets give a go, it fits in well with my commitments as I attended 1 evening a week for 6 weeks. But, when I got there on the first session it was just rabbiting on about confidence issues, not blowing my own trumpet, but I have never been low on confidence I think all those who know me can vouch for it. So I approached the tutor and basically said “thanks but no thanks” not for me, don’t need it – sure lots of women do but we are wasting everybody’s time.

I was, however persuaded to attend the second week and basically I was wrong. I didn’t realise it but my confidence was a little low after having my kids and the stuff I leant from a marketing and financial angle was just great. It just goes to show that without this training I was going to saunter through business without even paying myself! There was no jargon, nothing was rushed even if we needed elements explaining 60 times (slight exaggeration) it wasn’t a problem – I just can’t fault it. The tutor was an absolute darlin’ and every single one of the women seemed to bond making our WEP course the major social outing every week.

I launched my business on 1st October 2003 and with the help of WBDA got some excellent press coverage which has set me up a treat. I am still having business advice and instead of that first apprehensive feeling where you feel you are going to get told off I feel like I am going round to see friends.

I have contracts with the Local Heath Authority, Coventry Cyrennians and have developing relationships with the Local Housing Association, Local College and legal Aid in the pipeline. I am seriously looking at the prospect of office premises and as the work increases, which it has the capacity to do, as I have over 40 translators on my database from varying backgrounds, gender and languages.

I’m much happier and I know if I work hard and keep focused my business will grow from strength to strength, without having any detrimental effects on my family. I love what I am doing. I am providing employment to people (many of whom are refugees themselves) simply by helping people, everyone is benefiting and I feel it is setting good standards. On top of this my sex life has improved and I have bought a dishwasher – what more could a girl want?”

Bal Dhanjal