How to Increase Your Chances to Get Loans

Applying for bank loans experience annoying and confusing for small business owners. Here is a brief guide why fleas bankers and some tips to help you navigate their world.

The main concern is to protect their capital bankers, money entrusted them with their depositors. Therefore, bankers are generally very conservative. Their first priority is to recover the principal debt. The next priority is to get a reasonable rate of interest on loans. And their third priority to prosper you and open an account with them more. Safety of principal is paramount. Bankers are not in the business of risk.

Your job is to provide the banker with a lot of factors that you can feel safe. You start with a loan or financing proposal - a statement of what you need, why you need it, when you need it, and how you plan to pay for them. Documentation should include an explanation of how much you need and what you see is debt, up-to-date balance sheet, cash flow pro formas and projected income statement. All banks have a form to help you prepare, but with your own business plan increases your credibility.

What bankers look for when considering a financing proposal? The "Six C Credit" provides a start.

Six C Credit

Character: Personal character is very important because all loans to small businesses are personal loans. Experience your bank is important. Judgment on individual character based on past performance. Will analyze the credit history personal and business credit history.

Capacity: The estimated number of debts can support your business. The ratio of debt to net worth (debt / net worth) is often used to justify credit decisions. A company that is highly available with high debt / net worth ratio is considered less creditworthy than firms with low leverage (low debt / net worth).

Your business plan can make a difference. Suppose it shows that borrowing will increase incomes and led to a rapid decline in the debt / net worth ratio. Your chances of a positive response increased. Keep in mind that a good banker - and you can not afford an inefficient bankers loaded with unnecessary debt - is a true realist. Do not try to snow your banker with numbers.

Conditions: Economic conditions, both regionally and nationally, has a profound effect on credit decisions. When banks are convinced that depression is coming, it will not extend credit easily.

Warranty: Warranty is a secondary source of repayment of the loan. They want the loan to be repaid from operating income and supplies to the borrower, the bigger the better and depositors. But just in case there was something sour, a bit of collateral makes your banker sleep better at night.

Fact: Did you know your business? You can count on his cool? How credible are your plans? Do they dream collage or plan carefully reasoned and researched with a high chance of success? A business plan helps you to answer questions without hesitation banker, sending your credibility rating soared.

Contingency plan: contingency plan is a useful tool for financing. Bankers want to see you continue to see. A contingency plan proves thoughts. Contingency plan is a short worst business plan that examines the options open to the business and how those options will be considered. Deciding who makes poor decisions panic. A contingency plan to avoid trauma (both you and your banker).

Bankers and Risk

Bankers do not want to take risks with training and behavior. They can not take the kind of risk the venture capitalists or private investors can be, they do not work. They tend to avoid startup. They hate surprises. This leads to misunderstandings between small business owners and bankers. Small business owners, actual or potential, to determine the relationship between them and their bankers to be pragmatic. Definitely will not be hostile, antagonistic or demeaning, but it often looks like it.

Why bankers for a loan application? Except for bank credit policy reasons or banking law, turned down for credit applications related the following factors:

Too little equity owners

Poor record profits

Questionable management

Low-quality collateral

Slow / past due trade debt or notes

Adequate accounting system

Startup or new company

Poor moral hazard

Others (4 percent of the refusal has other reasons)

Be sure to cultivate their bankers for advice and support, have more than one bank, and are willing to ask why before angrily denied credit.

How to Get to Know Your Banker

Take your banker to lunch. Always be honest with him. He pays. Make appointment before the drop. Businessmen and bankers have valued ordinary business courtesy. Keep in mind that your relationship with your banker should be cooperative, not against, docile, fawning, obsequious, or the fear of not being believed.

A good banker is a great asset, so shop around to find a banker you can work with. Your banker role is to help you make your business a success. A good banker will sometimes do things you do not agree, because I was down for a loan or try to get you to keep the ratio of debt / net worth wise. How do you find a good banker? Wondering. Ask other business owners, ask your accountant or attorney, or other advisor. Ask your friend. Think of it as shopping for a partner: What do you do to find someone who can help make your business more successful?

Knowing the type of loan you need. The basic rule to fit the purpose of the loan term. A real estate lending will run 15 years or more and paid from operating earnings, while borrowing short supply, and it will be paid through the inventory. Call some term of the loan to pay the principal and interest, the other for the benefit of only a lump sum principal reduction. Packages can be complex. If in doubt, ask your banker for advice: "I want to expand here I think you owe me What are you thinking?." It was much better than asking for a loan the wrong at the wrong time in the wrong way. Your banker wants you to succeed and know (if he is any good) with a high correlation between the asking (and heed) professional advice and build small businesses grow profitably.

Avoid surprises. If you are having problems, let your banker know immediately. Do not wait until it's Friday night "give me a loan or I go broke" problem. Let your banker you. Work with your banker to lend money and protect the assets of depositors. If your proposal is sound, you get your loan. If it does not sound, you're not supposed to. And if you do not agree with your banker, ready to support the renewal application to reality.

Promote more than one banking relationship. Spread the risk. Do not rely on the bankers. Bankers move, retire, elevation, leave banks, and the credit review committee squabble. Plus, the line of credit has a term of 90 days per year. If you have two banks, using both, keep both happy, fulfilling bank examiner, and the excess credit is available if you need it.

Reality television cast Main Street as the New Stars

Schneller Beautiful, blonde Lynnae, 29, started the Tacoma (Wash.) gourmet pickle business two years ago after a career in sales management and operations of a company employee. She and her sister in law, equally blonde and beautiful Aly Cullinane, 25, makes about 20,000 bottles of sweet-and-sour dills months and took $ 280,000 in 2012 income A classic story of reinvention. and Entrepreneurship, sure, but would you watch reality TV series about Lynnae Gourmet Pickles? Darryl Silver is betting would.Silver, founder of the idea factory, Van Nuys (California) independent TV production company, contacted Schneller March 2012 about the company at the event. "Everyone wants a larger than life character in the world we have not seen before, and if you add the drama inherent in the family, it adds a layer of story and character," he said. Idea Factory Gourmet Pickles video footage shot Lynnae last spring and plans to pitch the show later this month at the Real Screen Summit, an entertainment industry a decade after conference.Nearly Apprentice weight, small businesses now regularly featuring the spectacle of reality. There is a restaurant, technology startups, the preppers, even duck-calling sculptor. "There is money, there is a risk, with the family. You may lose all or you can have great success, "said Silver. "Nature is dramatic." There are hundreds of hours of programming to fill and reduce the budget to do so, the television programmer will see a very low cost, fast delivery from reality television to fill the gaps in their formation program. May 90 networks and cable channels are listed on the board in the office of Perak, about 60 bids him regularly. "We have more than half a dozen doc work in progress, from the marinade, cupcake clothing company, and salmon fishermen," he said, noting he received hundreds of inquiries per month from the business entrepreneurs.How drama has been fodder for reality TV? The standard room in 2004 when TV producer Mark Burnett, creator of survivors, gathered a creative team for a beginner, like Justin Hochberg, co-founder of another company LA-based production, The Hochberg Ebersol Co. Both of them, and a few others, has a background as serial entrepreneur. Despite skepticism about human angle from show business, they argue that this idea could work. "Anyone who has worked in the business knows that this is the most dramatic in the world," Hochberg just says.Of, share the pain of a startup is not enough to make it big in reality TV. Christopher P. The Velona an independent producer in Los Angeles who has worked in the niche of truth for MTV, A & E, and Bravo. "Everybody thinks they deserve. But I learned that you have to have a personality that is very hard to be a character in the show, "he said. Silver agrees: "Of course there is a type A personality as the headlines carry. You do not need 20 years of crazy, but let's face it, who wants to watch a boring person? "Said Hochberg, who with his partner Charlie Ebersol build a business makeover show working title for The Big Fix CNBC, the company that the average American can be associated with a better chance to get in the air. "There's a reason why certain types of businesses are highlighted, such as restaurants, tattoo shops, and bars," he said Ridge says.Brent is "pegged as a villain from Day One" on pulling Beekman Boys, a TV reality show set in the historic Sharon Springs (NY) where he and his partner, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, farm and raise goats. He did not mind the bad guy persona, although he was inundated with negative feedback about his behavior. "It did not bother me, because I know what happened," he said. Increase sales exposure goat cheese, soap, and cookbooks, Ridge said, but it was not enough for the couple to achieve their goal of paying off farm.Another reality show, Amazing Race, made it. This pair won 21 entry and exit time, net $ 1,000,000 prize ($ 550,000 after tax). Ridge is not sure whether the Beekman Boys are coming back for another season, or if the two will continue to do reality television show in the future. "The only thing I always say that when Dancing With the Stars calls, I did," he says.Companies appeared on reality TV should not expect a big salary, or, in some cases, any pay at all. The host of The Big Fix, Marcus Lemonis, chief executive of Camping World and Good Sam, every company will invest a spectacular feature. But more often, the so-called talent fee is nominal in the first time, although participants can negotiate back for more if the event is hit.Schneller who said the opportunity to gain national exposure for his pickles, and a shot in wide distribution at retail outlets such as Whole Foods (WFM), the goal. "This is a very important boost to the business. This opens the door for us and get us closer [to retailers], recognition of more and more online orders, "he says.She's also aware that if taken out of Maipo, he would not say for how he and his family are shown to the public: "The way they edit to put in some things, but we decided that people love you or hate you no matter what you do. We decided to stay true to the relationship and try to distill feelings hurt. '

Franchise: Why does it work for you

Binding agreement

You will need a legal contract to establish what ikakalakal obligation between you and the franchisee. It will make clear what the parties expect from each other. It also provide legal protection for the brand.

Initial investment

Funds to adapt your business to the franchise will vary depending on the complexity of the business model. For both legal and consulting costs can be anything from £ 10,000 to £ 500,000. A good first port of call is the British Franchise Association (BFA), with a complete list of affiliate attorneys and also consultants.See:Is franchising for you?

After that, the franchisee to invest in the growth of the business, and will pay a fee and a percentage of future profits.

The two-way process

Once you grow your business from scratch can be difficult to let go of control, so think carefully about whether you're ready to loosen controls.

Ken Rostron, a consultant to the franchise Company, said: "This kind of partnership. You can not dictatorial or unwilling to assign. I've seen a lot of business people who will translate well to the franchise, but not be the last step for this reason.

"The role of franchisor must build a brand on a national level, the franchisee may promote business at the local level. When the work is quite a powerful combination. '

Strength in numbers

Clive said Houlson, install licensors Mr. Electric power companies and air conditioning and heating Aire Serv business may benefit considerably once the model and running.

He said: "Franchising your company stronger as you share the same responsibilities and benefits of the franchise, including you helped to build a brand that people are aware and confident. '

Nurture the next generation of talent

NOT the early stages of your career in the built environment? Do you find your voice be heard loud and make a real change in the industry? If so, Generation for Change, or G4C, would like to welcome you to our launch event to inform you that we are doing and what we want to achieve a built environment professionals like you. UK construction industry has never needed it for future generations because of the need now. Consider some of the challenges facing our industry today: the renewal of infrastructure, users are changing the built environment to provide a 80% reduction in carbon emissions, and asset support needed to encourage inefficiency and waste from the construction and operation of the assets. If we fail to provide a solution for these challenges, we need a large talent pool of dedicated, adequately trained individuals of the next generation. This is where G4C and why we founded a branch of the North East group, as part of building excellence. G4C group together for young professionals in the industry, as a forum for their collective voice heard, and provides an invaluable networking among young people develop their careers in the construction field. Following Leads to build excellence in collaborative practice we seek to maximize the power of the new people in the industry to make a change for the better and improve the way we work together. We are open to anyone who wants to join the industry, or in the early stages of their careers in the built environment sector. We have a council that meets every month to plan G4C initiatives and events through which we communicate with our peer group. We held a launch event for the Eastern North G4C on Thursday, March 15, from 18:00 As you like it in Jesmond, Newcastle. If you would be interested to come along to hear more about the group and join our network of like-minded individuals from the built environment, please register your interest for this free event by Leanne McAngus on 0191 374 0233 or leanne@cene.org. English

The place selected for the regional competition of hot construction

THE North East regional heat SkillBuild this year, the biggest in the UK construction skills competition, hosted by New College Durham this summer. Multi-trade competition is the largest in the country for construction trainees and apprentices, SkillBuild, a competition run by CITB-ConstructionSkills - Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry - and featuring the best talent in the industry. New College Durham will host a hot area on June 13 and 14, and saw the participants put through their paces in their chosen trade. It is one of 15 regional heats take place between April and June. The highest scoring students will win a place in the UK final in September, which will take place at Preston College. Russell Buckley, regional delivery manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills in the North East, said: "This is a big job but we are sure that the heat is to run the excellence and professionalism that makes SkillBuild Heats such success in recent years. Actually we are looking forward to working with the college to provide an interesting event. "This competition is all about celebrating the brilliance and talent of trainee development, the source of life and the future of our industry. "It's easy and free to enter, so we urge employers and colleges to encourage their students the most talented to come forward." Ian Gaskill, principal technology at New College Durham, said: "It gives us a fantastic opportunity to help demonstrate a high level of skills of young people, including the future development of the industry talent the North East region. '

Site building - for the development of landscape

A chance meeting with Courtney Cox and David Arquette causing some horror film Scream 2 and Sam Morton was inspired to pursue his dream of a career in filmmaking. Newcastle boss James Barton met Twenty First Century Media. Sam Morton is 31 years old and looks younger, but he did not stand out among a team of young filmmakers that he has surrounded himself with. Film company, Twenty First Century Media, serves the 16 staff, most of whom are in their early 20s. And this young business is growing rapidly. It will cost £ 250,000 to build a television studio in Sandyford Road Jesmond new headquarters. It also opened an office in Leeds, Glasgow and London, and expects to add an additional £ 250,000 for sale next year, bringing them to exceed £ 1m. Former Newcastle Royal Grammar School pupil Morton was always interested in film and pop culture. So much so that he chose to do a degree in American studies so that he could spend a year in Santa Cruz, California. Morton said: "I was, and still am, fascinated by popular culture, but it was while I was working on a building site in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States David Arquette and Courtney Cox pushed in front of me in the queue for ATM in 1997. David apologized and stated he had taken the horror scream mime 2 at the end of the road, and there may be some work. "Amazingly, I chose an extra in the movie and found the whole experience enthralling - I was hooked." Morton returned to England inspired and determined to find a job in the British film industry. "I applied for work experience for each film production company that I could find," he said, "which was about 400 and I got a response from two people who band in North Shields - RS Productions. "I was so desperate to get into the industry I got 12 months of unpaid work as a production assistant. It is hard work and getting dispense money but allowed me to gain the skills needed to progress. "I can even get myself to a number of BBC training, although I have to find the money to pay them." With their new-found skills in camera, sound and production Morton graduated in 2000 for paid role in the development of the script and production management for the Newcastle-based film traveled, production and distribution company - like many small movie business - doing promotional work for the industry to survive so that they can make an occasional feature. He said: "This is a common feature of the film industry outside of London there is a lot of one and two-man band who survive by making a promotional film for the company in the hope that they will at some stage be something they are really interested. "; After Morton met his future business partner, Casper Berry, an actor with credits in Byker Grove, but developed into a finished script and Filmmakers who have notched up two back unsuccessfully Hollywood film called Killing Time and Down time. Morton said: "Casper and I worked together on a short promotional film for Taylors of Harrogate and we got on well. We're both from Newcastle and even went to the same school, even though we do not know each other then. We just work well together. ' Then fate took a hand - after September 11, the fund Northern tip of Art and corporate advertising budget dries. Film traveled folded. "The situation is impressed on me how important it is to set up a business that is not only a feast and famine. Should be the basic principles of business - a workflow that stable, consistent and profitable - adhered to the film industry, like in any other business ". Morton's father, Bob Morton Newcastle respected businessman who became director of finance of £ 60m turnover business Co-op in the early 1980s when he was in his early 30 and now business consultant specializing in turning failing companies. Morton said: "After my experience with my father traveled Film advised me that I should have for myself if I want to achieve something in the film industry." First though Morton is necessary to pay the bills so he launched and ran my own web design company for a year while he decided what to do. "After the failure of the traveler, Casper went to Las Vegas to become a professional poker player, and make a good living, but he returned to England and see me." Some have decided that there is a gap in the market for a professional film company expert training and promotional films. "Instead of treating the film business as a means to an end, we will specifically target the business sector." Morton and Berry prepare Twenty First Century Media in 2002 and won their first piece of work days after open for business. "We had to make the launch of the film in Northern Film and Media, the body responsible for awarding grants to encourage film making in the North. "We are trying to catch people's expectations and a sense of what it can achieve, and develop a sense of excitement. We made what I would describe as a promotional film really funky, well-received. "What we always try to avoid training film that looks dull and dirty as standard. "By actively seeking employment business as the core business we have been able to add a level of professionalism in the process. We want our work to be cool, different and creative. "We realized early on that effective communications for businesses is to ensure from the outset that we really understand what the business is trying to achieve. We want the audience to remember our work, and therefore delight to watch all the way through and understand all the basic message. ' After two-and-a-half years and produce approximately 200 films, Berry began to get an offer from the world of poker and poker now with Sky TV programs and lessons on business strategy game. Morton said: "In 2005 I took over as director of business as Casper pursue other interests at the same time I grew up a team of four to 14, including marketing manager Nick Imrie." The company has moved from using a large number of freelance workers, keeping all the business assets, including camera equipment at home. "We brought Nick so we can make the best use of the assets of the company won a major contract and long term so we can be more profitable and increase stability," said Morton. The company now lists Nike, Nestle, Lego, Sage and Princes Trust between clients. After his experience how little chance there is for young filmmakers to get Morton industry has formed two week work experience program is responsible for bringing 10 new members. "Not only do we allow people to gain insight into the making of the film, we also get a chance to see new talent before our competitors." Morton to his staff strategy is to continue to challenge the creative process. "We are looking for our editors, directors and production staff to develop, even if it means they decided their hearts lie elsewhere and they are the rest of us." Staff were sent to three-day course motivation. "I've done the first day of the course itself and involves you walking on hot coals, encouraging you to tackle the things you fear. I am a member of staff who fear public speaking, so we had him lecture on filmmaking at Newcastle University. After initially feared he said it was one of the best things he ever done. I received another phone my staff members after the course happy with what you've done for him, but he realized that he would want to go in the music business and resigned. I'd rather people be happy at work, how to get the best of them even if it means that some people go. "I have no doubt that some of our directors editors and writers of the script is to move one day and be involved in making movies in Hollywood. What we do here is to develop talent. ' Because the convergence of digital technology, the company regularly works on the company website, the computer game industry, and even made a music video. Morton said: "Casper and I realized early on that we needed to standardize our production quality of the film if we are going to expand, so that during the four years we spent £ 80,000 making production workflow system that allows us to double our film output to 110 years. It also means that our production quality standards are the same wherever we are in the country. ' Morton married in 2003 and had two children, but although she has lived in her house in Bamburgh in Northumberland he still maintains ambitions far the company he founded. "I always wanted to create a business that is not dependent on any individual was there and that's what I did. I want to spend more time developing the business rather than running it so that it can fulfill its potential, but I also want to move the development of the property and I have an idea for a book. When I worked on the construction site in Atlanta I met a Vietnam veteran who has an amazing life story. ' But now the Morton content development of its business - and at 31 he has plenty of time to start the second and even third career. Questionnaire What car you drive? Golf TDI Sport. What is your favorite restaurant? Bays Bistro, Whitley Bay. Who or what makes you laugh? Seinfeld. What is your favorite book? At this time, The Five People You Meet In Heaven, by Mitch Albom. What is your favorite movie? Goodfellas. What was the last album you bought? Best of Pixies. What is your ideal job? The property developer or novelist. If you have a talking parrot, what's the first thing you'd teach it to say? "Can I interest in a movie?" What is your biggest fear? Security sons Islands and Meg. What is the best business advice provided? If you can not, you should. And the worst? Do not run before you walk. What's your poison? Beer or gin and tonic. Which newspaper you read (regardless of the Journal)? The Financial Times. What was your first pay packet and what was it? £ 2.49 hour stuffing beanbags and cushions. How do you keep fit? By having two children (who used to be a pumpkin). What is your most annoying habit? Do not put everything back in the right place. What is your greatest extravagance? Living in Bamburgh. Who is most admire, living or dead? Muhammad Ali. Which four people would you invite to your dream dinner party? Muhammad Ali, Martin Scorsese, Piers Morgan and George Best. How do you want to be remembered? As a good father and friend - but only to keep in mind is great.

Great design and wild imagination

Stefan Lepkowski was raised in the wilds of South Africa pastures: he adored the open promenade and endless beauty of the landscape around his home near Table Mountain. Her days were filled with surfing, sunbathing and having wild outdoor existence - he even used to catch snakes for pocket money. It was far from his life, today, most, spent coming up with a campaign for its clients Newcastle Karol Marketing agencies. Managing director if: "As a kid, I used to catch snakes like puff adders, eating snails and even a (fatal) foam leather Cobra and selling local sports events. "A friend of mine asked me the time conscious of the field to see the snail eaters safe and non-toxic he was captured alive. "Unfortunately when he saw what we had, he went berserk - it really foam Viper looks very similar, but can kill any one of us with a single bite. "Years later in Corsica I showed myself as a bit of a snake a snake expert two feet out on the beach, causing scandal. People were screaming and running everywhere. "I'm going to catch it with his bare hands - as I've done dozens of times in South Africa - mistimed it and got bitten on the hand. "Fortunately, is not poisonous, just very embarrassing," he recalls. In 1979, when he was 17, the world as he knew it fell apart when his parents lived in the UK, decided to leave South Africa permanently. Lepkowski was sent to boarding school in Bath, time in his life he described as very happy. But this leads to a difficult subject and life-changing. He said: "We are coming to the UK since my mother is English and my father felt that in 1979 the storm clouds gathering of political unrest in South Africa. "But I grew up used to the wide open space and freedom, and lives in a boarding school regimented difficult burden. I really pray that God will help me and of course he never did. "Then one day I remembered hearing the phrase" God helps those who help themselves' and from that day forward it was different, I take responsibility for my own life. " The Lepkowski now go to the growing public relations, marketing and communications consultant Karol Marketing, (Karol his middle name) in the Ouseburn Valley, the 15 staff. It also said a significant interest in two other businesses - Tanfield Foods turnover of £ 3m, set up three years ago to Phileas Fogg snacks founder Roger McKechnie, and point-of-sale retail establishments somethinkelse design, which is achieved sales of £ 1m in two years. Lepkowski said: "I always knew I wanted to work for myself at one point but when I left school (without qualification) all I want to do is ski. "I've always really an outsider (he has a love of climbing, wind surfing, paragliding and skiing) and originates from South Africa that I have never seen snow, so I headed to Austria." Lepkowski has supreme confidence in himself and his own abilities a bit disarming. This section is from a good part of the family legacy of his father, covering the upper echelons of Polish society. He said: "My grandfather Stanislaw Lepkowski is a senior political figure in Poland. "Before World War II when the Nazis invaded his escape after Prime Minister but they were arrested in Czechoslovakia government would pass them on to the Nazis. "My grandfather fled to London with three documents, each appoint another person to become Prime Minister in exile, because no one knows which of the three will make it back to London from occupied Europe." The story flowed easily Lepkowski prominent families, each told with humor and pride. Noticing they fired the imagination and ambition from an early age. "Of course my grandfather brothers, one is a big businessman who is the biggest importer of Polish pre-war cars and the other is a fighter pilot, who is famous for dropping a love letter to his girlfriend from in the cockpit of his plane in a park ambassador for various parties. "It seems he always wrote it in a bit of code so that women do not know for sure if the letter is for them in case there is more than one girlfriend at the party." After the war the family was exiled Lepkowski as the communist takeover in Poland and even years later when my father Lepkowski visited Poland, he was followed by the secret police. "Because of the position of my family I always believe anything that encourages them to be successful is to be me," she reasons. But on leaving school Lepkowski did not know what he wants to do so he was traveling Europe to find himself, a journey that lasted for six years. "I'm fluent in English and African so I can learn German is pretty easy," he said. "I'm passionate about skiing because I have not seen snow. I will never forget how amazed I was when I realized how quiet it. "The ability to keep an open mind and to understand the problems of other people, whether it's a client or friend, is a direct result of my experiences traveling. I believe everyone should get a chance to go traveling. ' Lepkowski travel in Europe finally finding a job after a mountain in the center of Val d'Isere in France. The family owned center also runs the center in Corsica during the summer months which also Lepkowski work. Then came a chance meeting with the family of Davison - The founder of the activities of Sunderland outdoor brand Berghaus - fly to Corsica on a private plane, so the offer of a job back in the UK. "Should they saw something in me. I'm very excited, outdoor type, and mechanical thinking, "Lepkowski said. It was decided he North-East to work in retail stores. "I do not want to work in the shop but I think if I was impressed, there is another opportunity for me and I was right." He worked his way around every department within the company before appointed boss of public relations in 1990. "This is my first time to North-East and I immediately recognized the place. Is a cliche but, compared to my experience in the South, I find the people here are more friendly and I visit my love of outdoor sports, windsurfing and climbing in the region. "Got to the point where my family asked me when I come back to the South and I was pretty annoyed and defensive about his thoughts in this area." Lepkowski continued his love affair with the North-East, settling in Jesmond, Newcastle. "Berghaus is really good for me, but in 1992, when the Pentland moved to buy it, I felt I had achieved amazing things for business and I decided I did not want to put my career on hold for a year waiting for the dust to settle and instead launched my own business from home. ' The move paid off and within the first six months of its employees and within 12 months was moved to an office on the dock. "That I started the business with the aim of making sales of £ 20,000 in the first year, working three days a week so I can visitors to my outdoor activities. "My initial financial goal within six months, but I worked six days a week so I decided one but, of course, that means I have to increase my turnover, which means that time of employment. " The Lepkowski a passion mountains and by Berghaus he befriended mountaineer Chris Bonnington, who accompanied him on the ski expedition in 1992 to the Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt in Switzerland to Chamonix in France. "Chris is not a good skier and thought it was a great challenge. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the cruise I went on a little plateau and tore all the muscles in my shoulders. "All those who look to Chris to give first aid, but someone told me the day before Chris knew nothing about first aid. "Fortunately, he did not have a lot of common sense and I put in a comfortable position before medical help." As a result of the accident and the loss of two good friends, Paul Williams and Andy Fanshawe, both star climber who was killed in a climbing accident, Lepkowski not trip. "I get my adrenaline rush of paragliding in Turkey and the Swiss Alps today," he said. "It is also a difficult experience because I have to start my business while my injury healed and could not drive myself anywhere. Should it cost me over £ 1,000 in taxi fares. ' He also developed another passion - building. Lepkowski buy Ouseburn pub cock fighting in 2000 and has been converted into a 6,000-square-foot glass and steel office. "Everyone thought I was crazy when I bought the pub and they really think I'm crazy when I start driving a lot of work in itself, but is now an excellent working environment with breathtaking views of the city . "Getting money is not easy. My bank refused to support me, so I went to one of my main clients, Nike, and open about what I wanted the money for. "They pay my bill so far this year early, other clients improve their credit requirements and the sudden freeing of some £ 100,000. I'm really satisfied with the support I got. ' From the back of a successful office development Lepkowski collected rapidly over the next pet project - renovating an old mill in the heart of rural Northumberland and all were recorded for Channel 4 program Grand Designs. "It will cost me all my savings," she admits. "It's not the kitchen and therefore does not qualify for a mortgage, but it is a good stone building pre-dating 1850 may-acre and half-a-land surrounded by hundreds of acres of open countryside. "Again, everyone said I was crazy but I approached the Grand Design program at my idea and it snowballed from there. "It is amazing when a television company is involved. Everybody involved in this project to provide the best quality the best price, they want to do the best job they can. "I'm very excited about it - there gantries folding, pre-cast concrete post and bridge overlooking the beautiful valley. "This program will be aired next year, if we ever get it done," he added Lepkowski. In view of its track record. . . only the fool to bet against him.