Thinking of starting a small security company...

Vidar

Vidar

Vidar

Soldato
Joined
18 Dec 2008
Posts
6,521
Location
Liverpool
Hi Guys,

I'm currently working part time as a head doorman at 3 local pubs all connected to the same brewery and have developed a very good rapport with each of the land lords/ladies.

Having received very high praise from all three I have learned that although the brewery/venue is very happy with me and my guys, I'm responsible for six lads currently between the 3 venues, they are not happy with the company overall. I have been informed that whoever takes the contract (which is up for renewal in May) will be expected to take us on if I/we decide we want to continue working there.

It's now been suggested, that with 14 years experience, that maybe I should think of starting my own, albeit very small, company and that if I could then I should be a shoe in for getting the contract.

Initially I'd only need six staff members, myself included to start. But, I have no idea where to even begin on getting the ball rolling on this and could use some advice as I have no business background whatsoever.

I know I'd need insurance to operate on licensed premises but that's about it... can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
One thing you'd need to check is your employment contract as it may well exclude you from being allow to start up a business and immediately steal your current employers clients. I don't know how binding clauses like that are.
 
go to who you bank with and speak to a business adviser, they'll talk you through the basics and getting a business plan up and running. Your local council might offer courses etc too.

Get yourself a good accountant as well, find out what records you need to keep.

Find a local independent insurance broker too, they'll advise on insurance and look after you. My wife works for one, they really do cover their customers well.

If your current contract states you can't start a business doing the same, put it in your wife's/gf's name or a family member to start.
 
I think you need a sia operators license as well as your door badge. Spent ten tears on the doors before I left but still work in an environment that comes into contact with door staff and companies and know the directors of quite a large firm.
You need to work out if after the overheads - insurance ect tha there is enought profit in it to be worthwhile. I suspect with just three doors there will be little profit in it to be worth the grief
 
Find out what your clients are willing to pay first then work backwards if you know what your guys and gals will want.

My mate has a security business and he does pubs, clubs, festivals and static guards, he's doing well but he's ruthless with his guys but pays them on time every time.

You need to offer something different to make it otherwise you'll be stuck competing on price all the time. Where the only way to make money is by stiching your guys up which isn't nice.
 
Be realistic with the numbers, like has been said above, get some values on the contract and then start working backwards with your outgoings. Running a company isn't easy and you'll want to be making out of it for it to be worthwhile.
It won't be easy changing from one of the workers to the boss and you will have to assert yourself as some point, your relationship with them will change.
Being one of the workers and just going home at the end of your shift is a completely different thing to being the boss and making sure its all working as its should.
 
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