Making It Work - Magazine Article

MAKING IT WORK Interview Zoe McBrydie Images Zoe McBrydie

Ken McBrydie is a hard worker, father and husband who owns Horowhenua Portable Sawmilling Limited (HPS). HPS is a local business that provides electrical contracting, engineering, sawmilling and digger hire. Ken started this business seven years ago and is a strong example of where determination can get you. Driven by his love of physical work and sawmilling he decided to take the plunge and chase his dream of having a business. Already doing sawmilling part time, Ken was able to build his skill set and go up in the business to become his own boss. Ken said “I enjoy being my own boss” as it has many positives including choosing your own hours and being able to work from home sometimes.

Having more flexibility in your workload and work schedule doesn’t mean you have more time though. To be successful your work ethic needs to be strong and constantly improving to keep up with the everchanging expectations. A positive attitude, determination and goals are all important

things to have when taking a chance like this, but with hard work you are able to achieve and receive many good things. Ken is lucky enough to now own two utes, a 6 ton truck, 120 horse power tractor, a 3 ton digger, two trailers and a portable sawmill which are all used in his business as well as personal projects and spare time.

Not everything about owning your own business is easy though, as you have to consider things such as getting sick and not getting holiday or sick pay. Also as he is the main and often only worker at HPS he could never stop working for too long of a time because that would mean he has no income at that time.

Another issue to consider is whether or not you will get enough work as these jobs are never guarenteed so he has to be very organised and keep up his advertising and positive word of mouth. These things can be difficult but Ken believes they are worth it to get the benefits of being in a field you love, doing what you love and achieveing things you’d been hoping for as a proud business owner.

“It’s important to do what you love.”

Having his own business has been a really positive thing for Ken as it has been a big boost in self esteem and self empowerment by being the one to make decisions and control situations that go well. Horowhenua Portable Sawmilling is a good example of an achievement made at a later time in someone’s life which shows it’s never too late to give up hopes for a better future. He hopes his story will bring inspiration to those who want to get in control of their lives or even those who just want a change. Ken’s advice for those wanting start a business is to remember that it will take a lot of time and hard work to build it to how you want it to be. Finding out the legal requirements and talking to an accountant are important steps to having a successful business. Once you have started you can continue building your dream as you gain more and more skills that allow you to progress your business and make it work for you and your clients.

“I enjoy being my own boss.”