A year ago Richard Calgie was facing eviction and mounting debts after being made redundant. Now he is looking to the future with renewed confidence after launching his own garden and property maintenance business.
And the former St Luke's School and Bicton College student is keen to let anyone who finds themselves in a similar position know about the range of support available for budding entrepreneurs.
Richard, who lives in Wonford with his wife Alison and their four children, said he was grateful to advisors at the St Loye's Foundation, Exeter City Council, South West Investment Group and Okehampton Business Information Point for helping him access the expertise and finance to get RC Services up and running.
In January last year he lost his job when the car rental firm he worked for closed its base on Marsh Barton. It came just a year after his previous employer went into liquidation.
"Being made redundant put me and my family into serious debt," said Richard, 34. "We got evicted from our house due to rent arrears, and with a baby on the way we were put into a temporary house via the council.
"We found ourselves in turmoil. I didn't know where to turn."
Richard had not considered starting his own business until he and his wife were referred to the St Loye's Foundation for help with their housing issues.
"I was sat at home picking my brains about how I was going to get us out of this situation," he said. "I looked back over my all my qualifications and experience.
"I had a chainsaw license, qualified in horticulture, agriculture and a national certificate in countryside related studies from Bicton College.
"I also attended Exeter College to do business studies and had many years' experience in working outdoors for various building firms."
Adviser Phil Deem, from Exeter Business Support, helped Richard to draw up a business plan over a period of several months.
Further support came from the St Loye's Foundation and business advisers Tony Rusbridge, of South West Investment Group, and Sue Marshall.
This culminated in his successful application to the Government-funded Start Up Loans scheme for a £7,000 business loan.
Richard was also awarded small grants from the Government and St Loye's to cover the cost of buying a pressure washer and public liability insurance. He started trading in December and has been encouraged by the response from customers so far.
"I didn't realise the amount of support you could get," he said. "I found it a bit daunting at first when I started getting the business plan together, but now I feel super-confident.
"If you really want something hard enough you can achieve anything – you just need to get out there and not be ashamed to ask for help."
