A cracking business idea for Joe

All set to become one of the most recognised figures in Penwortham, is Joe Brown, who sells local free-range chicken, duck and quail eggs from his pedestrian trolley.

His business, Joe Brown’s Egg Round, was set up in July 2008 when he was only 19, and right from the start he knew he wanted a high standard, quality business, so he turned to Business Venture Group for advice.

His mother, Sue takes up the story.  “Interviews are very difficult for Joe because he has Aspergers syndrome, so communication doesn’t come easy. He found that getting a job was proving impossible and although he could have lived on incapacity benefits, he didn’t want to do that.”

A family friend and farmer, David Woollam suggested Joe could start an egg round, and the business has gone from strength to strength.

 “The egg round not only gives him an income greater than benefits, but it also provides him with opportunities for personal development in the areas of banking, handling cash, organisational skills, IT and customer service. He is already well known in our local community and his confidence is growing.”

The guidance Joe and his family got from BVG ensured they didn’t fall into the common early problems that beset new businesses. Martyn White from BVG encouraged them to apply to the Princes Trust grants, do market research, and get a uniform, as well as helping them contact environmental health and helping them to do an income and expenditure forecast.

“Grant funding meant we could market the business properly, so after just 3 months trading we had a regular customer base 200. It has made a huge difference to Joe, and he’s even saving up to go to New York next summer!”