Michael Smith

Enterprise Coach

Born and bred in Craghead North West Durham and very proud of my pit village roots, I am happily married (sometimes) with four lovely children, 3 young ladies and the youngest is my son aged 3. I am an avid Sunderland Supporter going to most games, so I would describe myself as an eternal optimist.

My background is in retail having worked in that environment for myself since the age of 17, I have had many retail outlets all across the North East but mainly in County Durham.

I have sold a diverse and comprehensive range of products, across the past 20 years, with outlets including a Newsagents, Hat Shop, Home Fragrance centers, T Shirt printing, ice cream outlet, café, amusement arcades, Adult Entertainment shop, sweet shop, hot food takeaway, photo glazing outlet, hosiery shop and Off License. All of which, over the years, were very successful.

They were all eventually sold to raise capital for a large development I undertook in Derwentside, this was a large 35,000 sq ft, former supermarket site situated on one of the town’s retail parks.

I designed, developed, and literally built this business up from an idea I had some 12 months before and with the help of over 40 contractors turned it into the North East’s newest indoor market with over 90 units varying in size from 10ft to 45 ft. I opened the doors on 26/12/2002 to the public with the ribbon cut by Del Boy himself and the town’s mayor, what a double act!

The company traded successfully for nearly 3 years, but some disastrous decisions were imposed upon the company and the wrong avenue was taken leading to it being wound up. It was a terrible time. I wish there had been a team there then like there is at the Enterprise Agency to seek advice and guidance from.

I then moved on to work for Inshops the national indoor market chain, taking up a position as area manger in Birmingham looking after six of the largest national centres. To say this move was a culture shock would be an understatement, but coming from a small former mining community in County Durham and being propelled into the fast and frantic, day to day activities of Britain’s second biggest city took some getting used too, but over the first few months I made some good friends all retailers in the city, I keep in touch with a lot of them.

I missed the North East terribly and when I was offered the position of Enterprise Coach with the Agency I jumped at the chance, to return back home to my native county Durham and have the opportunity to help develop people’s business ideas into reality.

I aim to help others learn from my experience, the highs and the lows and to provide the help and guidance they require.

My philosophy in business has always been, that if you want something to succeed, you must be committed and motivated 100% and willing to go that extra mile for your goals, it will happen and you will be successful.

But remember - a calm sea never made an experienced sailor.