Schoolboy wizardry lays foundations for business success

Showing the professionals how to fix computers when he was still at school meant Richard Bentley’s career path was fairly obvious.  He’s managed to turn his innate talents at IT into a thriving business – despite launching in the recession. And the flexibility of our business accommodation at St. George’s Business Park has played a key part in his company’s growth.

Native talent

Richard Bentley, founder of The IT Consultants, first discovered his talent when he was still a teenager: “I had a Sinclair Z-X Spectrum computer. One day I broke it and took it to a tiny place in Gillingham to fix it. The guy there said he would see what he could do, but three weeks later when I returned, he said he couldn’t fix it; I was devastated. So, I took it home and thought I have nothing to lose if I give it a go myself. I successfully repaired it and when I took it back to the shop and showed it to the guy there, he said: ‘do you want a job?’! I worked part time there until I was 18 and then afterwards went on to work for other IT companies.”

Going it alone

When Richard decided he wanted to start his own company in 2010, it was mid-way through the recession and taking out a loan from the bank would have been difficult and risky: “I wanted to start my business without taking out a loan – it was a massive gamble! I ended up selling a lot of my household items which earned me about £7,000. Initially I was working from home, but after four years I moved here, to St. George’s Business Park when a small office became available by the reception desk.”

The value of a Capital Space office

When a business operates from an office instead of a home address, it can do a lot to improve perceptions from would-be customers and moving into a professional office has paid dividends for The IT Consultants: “Being in an office provides reassurance to new customers. On top of that, the staff at reception help me take deliveries so I don’t have to physically be in the office in order to run my business. The Capital Space team are really friendly and it feels really comfortable with their easy-in, easy-out system, whereas if I was with another company, I’d have a legal hassle of going from one lease to another. I’m also able to source products from neighbouring businesses, which is a really good bonus.”

Drivers of success

The IT Consultants now look after over 50 business customers across the South-East, with some paying on an ad-hoc basis and some with fixed, monthly support packages: “I would like to think I am more customer focused than others, who are more money orientated. I’m flexible and I know small businesses may have a cash flow problem so I don’t jump on their backs if they don’t pay me straight away when I invoice them. If I had any tips for small businesses, it would be to save some money first before starting out. Marketing is key – get a professional website and be prepared for some late nights! Also, don’t skimp on IT – it will pay-off in the long term.”

Moving into professional, flexible business accommodation has allowed The IT Consultants to flourish as a business and grow their customer base to over 50 customers. A real example of a customer success story!

Share this page

Sittingbourne
St George’s Business Park is a thriving business centre offering high-quality, desirable work space including small, medium and large office suites, studios, light industrial units, commercial workshops, distribution and storage units.

More case studies in Sittingbourne

Seeing off the big boys to win top industry award
St. George’s Business Park customer, Farmwood, has put the big boys to shame by taking a prestigious national industry award.  We’ve been finding out how our Sittingbourne customer has been stealing contracts and gongs from much bigger competition. ‘Bonkers’ national award Christmas came early for Farmwood last year when…
Two decades of sturdy business success
As one of the longest-serving customers at Capital Space, Alan Taylor of AT Blinds knows how to build a business sustainably. Succeeding for over two decades while based at our Sittingbourne Business Centre, AT Blinds has powered through a recession and a tumultuous Brexit.
Movement is medicine
Our physical health is often put to the test; whether it’s the culmination of hours spent at a desk or the long road to recovery after an accident, and no one understands the strains on our well-being better than Mark Smith.
Young entrepreneur finds business footing during Covid lockdown
The coronavirus lockdowns have posed unforeseen challenges for even the most seasoned of business owners, but our Sittingbourne customer Luke Blundy has experienced it during his first foray into owning a business. Yet Blundy’s Distribution, which has been based at our St George’s Business Park for less than a year, has already got into its stride.