Business

Andrew Diprose is the founder and editor of dorsetbiznews. co.uk

It’s been a cracker of a ride for Ross Allison. Just 12 months ago the 31-year-old launched his own motorcycle business – Rotate Motorcycles – after quitting his fulltime job of 15-plus years at Bournemouth Kawasaki. As with all new businesses it was a gamble and not without risk. In Ross’s case he had sunk around £90,000 into his new venture. But, as he said at the time: “The time was right, especially after turning 30. “While it’s a little scary, my gut feeling was that it’s a case of do or die and I know I can sell bikes.” And that has certainly proved the case. His target was 150 sales over the course of the first year. In fact, he’s done more than 250. Turnover for the 12 months is around £1.6million. Ross said: “Realistically I didn’t think that would happen. I’ve never put any pen to paper. It was purely self-belief. “I’d done such a long time with my old dealership and really learned the ropes from the top people there. “I’ve just kept my head down and done the steps that needed to be done.” The sales have ranged from scooters, costing £2,000, to a Ducati Panigale V4 SP which retails for upwards of £35,000, and everything in between. As a trained mechanic, Ross is able to carry out services on bikes before handover, ensuring every one is prepared and warranted. His knowledge also helps with the sourcing of bikes, from private customers through to dealerships. Ross, who operates from a unit in Parley, said: “When I started, the aim was to have 15 bikes online at any one time and I had about 20. “Now I generally have 25 bikes online at a particular point and hold close to 40. “I use a lot of couriers, but I also deliver myself. “I’ve had customers on the Isle of Man, loads in Scotland as well as Northern and Southern Ireland and the rest of the country.” To date, Rotate Motorycles has 109 5-star reviews on AutoTrader and 33 5-star reviews on Google. Ross said: “It’s really good that a lot have called me out and said I’m enthusiastic about bikes. “They could tell from my attitude that I was grateful and wanted their business.” This month, experienced technician Sam Thompson joins the business in what Ross admits will be a big step. He said: “Sam has a racing background with motorcycles and at British Championship level. “He has lots of experience and is wellknown in the area. It’s a bit of a leap to take Sam on but he’s quite excited and so am I. “When I set up, a lot of people thought he’d be the natural person for the business. “Sam will be involved in every bike that comes in and out and also collecting and buying stock.” As for the future, Ross, who has a three a half year old son Freddie, with his partner Ellen, said: “I don’t really have a five-year plan. “I do one year at a time and then assess. “I’m proud of how far the business has come but I also feel the pressure. “Everyone in the bike trade has been very congratulatory and it feels like now it can’t go wrong.

QUICK RIDE: Ross Allison, director of Rotate Motorcycles Ltd, ‘I’m proud of how far the business has come but I also feel the pressure’ Picture: DORSET BIZ NEWS

First year as his own boss is a belter for biker Ross

“My head is definitely on the block. I’ve probably created that myself because I’m all over Instagram and Facebook. “People say: ‘You’re absolutely flying mate’. “I’m probably not flying any more than others but their Instagram and social media is perhaps not as up to date as mine. “I think social media has done the business good and the reputation has grown quicker from it. “I don’t have any regrets. Sometimes I think it would be nice to go home and not worry about it but it hasn’t got in the way of family life. “Freddie also loves it in here. “I say to him ‘what are you going to do when you go out to work’ and he says, ‘fix it, silly’.

Building firm praised for ‘fabulous job’

by Andrew Diprose

A building company has been thanked for ‘a fabulous job’ after completing a major project for one of Dorset’s oldest independent funeral directors. The extensive 70-week contract by Greendale Construction Limited was completed over two phases at Douch Family Funeral Directors’ Ferndown branch, A E Jolliffe & Son. The work included the demolition and removal of a number of dilapidated outbuildings, service buildings and a chapel. A new 460 square metre block includes a state of the art Ceremony Room featuring slatted timber acoustic ceiling and sophisticated lighting and audio visual. It is served by a large kitchen/catering area with a bespoke movable wall to partition off the two rooms when required. There is also hearse and funeral vehicle garaging as well as staff areas and funeral back of house facilities. Greendale Construction also extended and refurbished the original house on the premises at 17 Victoria Road. Major external works were undertaken to create a new garden area, car parking and fencing along with landscaping features using oak sleeper planting areas and porous paving. Rob Hooker, director at Greendale, said: “This was a great key project to work on. “We enjoyed a collaborative relationship with our clients and design teams to complete this wonderful development. “This was our second contract with Douch after successfully completing the major renovation of its Lesley Shand branch at Corfe Mullen in 2018. “My thanks go to the fantastic Greendale team and all who worked on the project. “We wish Douch and their staff every success in their amazing new facilities for the future.” Managing director Nick Douch said: “This has been a major project and will benefit the community for many years to come. “Our staff have been superb during the building work, managing to keep an

Business offering free cyber security

Charities and small businesses offering legal-aid services are among organisations that can secure 20 hours of free cyber security through Dorsetheadquartered C3IA Solutions. It can enable them to gain the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials-Plus certification, the minimum standards recommended by the Government. The free engineering and support are being funded through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and IASME, the accreditation body for the Cyber Essentials Scheme. C3IA Solutions, which is based in Poole, is assured by the NCSC and an IASME accredited certification body and has helped more than 150 regional organisations to become more cyber-secure. Small businesses and charities continue to come under attack from cyber criminals with reports that 31 per cent of businesses and 26 per cent of charities estimate they were attacked at least once a week. One in five businesses and charities said they experienced a negative outcome as a direct consequence of a cyber-attack, while more than a third of businesses and almost four in ten charities experienced at least one negative impact. Jim Hawkins, from C3IA Solutions, said: “This support is aimed at small charities and legal-aid providers because we know that they provide valuable services to society but may not have the resources or expertise needed. “We are hoping that these types

CYBER SECURITY: Jim Hawkins of C3IA Solutions

of organisations in Dorset will make the most of the engineering and cyber support offered. “In many cases the 20 hours will be enough for the organisation to gain their Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certificates. “These give a basic level of protection and are recommended by the Government. If 20 hours isn’t enough then we can get the organisation as far as we can. “To check if an organisation qualifies for the free cybersecurity they need to drop us a line or phone our office and we’ll be able to confirm whether they fulfil the criteria.” c3ia.co.uk.

Xero, Sage and Quickbooks training on site, at home or via Zoom. Visit businesshubservices. co.uk. Telephone 07926 499295.

Business

Wealth management firm to host ‘Financial Fitness’ surgeries

Peter Harding Wealth Management (PHWM) is to run weekly ‘Financial Fitness’ surgeries at West Hants Tennis Club in Bournemouth. The surgeries will launch on January 23, with further surgeries taking place on January 30, (10.00am - 2.00pm) with afternoon surgery bookings available at the club on February 3, 10, 17 and 24 (12.00pm – 4.00pm). Marketing director Julian Barrett said: “As the business is an official sponsor of West Hants Club, it was an obvious choice of venue. “There will be a financial expert from Peter Harding Wealth Management on site to chat to club members and others in the locality about topics including: Pension planning (for people approaching retirement and those already in retirement), tax planning (including inheritance tax planning), and also tips on investment management in a climate of increasing inflation and taxation. Established in 1993, PHWM has high street offices situated in Canford Cliffs, Sherborne and Shaftesbury as well as Corsham in Wiltshire. PHWM has been awarded the prestigious Chartered Financial Planners designation by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). This is the industry’s gold standard for firms of financial planners. It confirms that they have satisfied rigorous qualification criteria by retaining highly-qualified staff who subscribe to the membership conditions of the CII. It also involves a commitment to continuing professional development and adherence to an industry standard code of ethics. Only the UK’s premier financial planning firms qualify for Chartered status.

Liz is totally appointed chamber ambassador

Liz Hutchings, founder of digital marketing and news brand Total Guide to has been appointed as an ambassador for the Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry for 2023. This appointment comes just two years after Liz launched her platform Total Guide to Poole – and the Total Guide to brand is now visible across seven urban areas in the UK. “I’m delighted to be asked to take on this ambassadorship over the next year. “We are blessed in Poole and Dorset with a really supportive business community and there’s never been a more important time for businesses to come together. “I’ve already been connecting local businesses from all sectors and introducing them to the benefits of being a Chamber member, so I’m honoured to be doing this now officially. “I’m in great company with my fellow ambassadors and I’m really looking forward to working with them and Dorset Chamber to further support during what is going to be a testing few years ahead.” Chamber chief executive Ian Girling announced Liz’s role which will involve promoting Chamber activity, supporting and connecting members and guests, welcoming them at face to face and virtual events, attending board meetings and the annual meeting. He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Liz as a Dorset Chamber Ambassador. “Our ambassadors play a vital role in supporting the work of the Chamber in the business community and I know Liz will make an outstanding contribution as a great supporter and active member.” This role is natural for Liz as she’s always encouraged a collaborative approach to business and honoured the value of communities which work together towards success and sustainability. She said: “Total Guide to is all about community and it was from day one. “I moved to Poole with my family a few years ago and could not have imagined how quickly I’d be recognised for running a heart-centred, community-led digital news platform. “Coming from Swindon where my business began, it’s been wonderful to be embraced by a new community and to be able to share community spirit between us all.” TGt is a franchise business established by Liz back in 2012 with its parent site in Swindon and it also now has platforms in Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Reading and Manchester with more franchisees being considered for other cities and large towns nationwide. Liz is also a qualified franchise professional and is experienced at operating ethically in the franchise world.