'I quit my job to go it alone during the pandemic' - Sheffield woman's joy at setting up her own business

Rachel Schofield set up Horizon Inventory Services with the help of her partner and father-in-law after deciding to take the plunge while on furlough.

That was in September, today the firm works with more than 20 letting agents who outsource jobs to her including inventory reports, cleaning and check-out reporting.

Rachel, who worked for property website Countrywide, said she went for it after months of running figures, saving every penny and questioning herself.

She added: “Furlough gave me time to think about my career and whilst gardening, I dreamt of starting my own business.

“I had time to plan, weigh up the pros and cons and delve a little deeper. I saw a large gap in the market for an all-in-one hub for pre-tenancy property services.

“All I needed was a laptop, a phone and knowledge of the industry, I had all three.

“After months of running figures, saving up every penny and questioning myself, I finally handed in my notice to a job that I loved. After working full time since leaving school, I was now on my own!”

Horizon aims to relieve agents of time consuming tasks so they can focus on generating business and letting properties, she added. And as the cost is passed to the landlord they save money too.

Rachel encouraged others to follow in her footsteps.

“Since the start, we have gone from strength-to-strength. People are surprised that a woman could start a business and become sustainably after four months of trading.

“I now work with more than 20 letting agents in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and clients are choosing to use me through word of mouth, and the feedback is amazing.

“I want to encourage and inspire people who are sat on a dream of owning their own business. If you know that you can put in the hard work, then go for it.

“The feeling of waking up and thinking ‘how can I build on my success today?’ is a feeling like no other.”

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Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor.