Support Helps Emma Translate Plans For Business Growth

emma grubb translate IP
  • Company:
  • Translate IP
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  • Emma Grubb

Spotting an advert for The Enterprise Hub inspired Emma Grubb to start a business that provides translation services to companies across Europe from her desk in Glenrothes.

Having been in the patent translation industry for 17 years, the mother of two decided to set up Translate IP after turning to Business Gateway Fife earlier this year.

Working with a select team of freelance contractors, Emma’s business focuses primarily on the translation of patents and other IP-related documents from German and French into English.

Now, thanks to funding from Financial Support for Businesses, she’s launched www.translateip.com in a bid to secure more work from global law firms and multinationals.

She said: “I developed an aptitude for languages at school then studied an MA(Hons) in Triple Modern Languages at the University of St. Andrews before getting my first job in patent translation. I fell in love with patents as you get an opportunity to find out about some amazing inventions. After working in-house for several years, I set up as a freelance translator. Although I’d been thinking about becoming a limited company for a while, I had two young kids and kept putting it off. I then saw an advert for the Hub offering affordable rents and access to Business Gateway support and I thought it was now or never.

“When I was based at home with young children, I found it difficult to achieve a good work-life balance. Having a space at the Enterprise Hub allows me to separate home from work and has greatly increased my productivity. It’s also an inspiring and supportive environment to work in. Right from the start Business Gateway Fife has been a phenomenal help. Without their support I would have found it difficult to set up my company. I also wouldn’t have known about the funding that has enabled me to launch a website that will help me grow my business.”

As well as gaining advice on premises and marketing, Emma’s Business Gateway adviser helped her secure accountancy support through the Expert Help programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund. She was also signposted to Women’s Enterprise Scotland’s (WES) Leadership Masterclass. The unique programme offers four workshops spread over 12 months alongside online and hands-on support for female business owners.

Business Gateway Fife’s advisers have also completed WES’ Business Adviser Gender Balance Training and Certification Programme, the world’s first gender equality standard for business advisers that aims to achieve a more gender aware business support environment.

Emma said: “Having access to the year-long masterclass programme and its online support has given me the confidence to really believe I can do this, and it’s helped me to develop a focused strategy for growth. The workshops have provided a thorough grounding in management skills, and my confidence has soared as a result. As an added bonus, the opportunity to meet with other like-minded female entrepreneurs has provided invaluable networking opportunities. I’m really grateful to Business Gateway for bringing the programme to my attention.”

Sarah Howarth, Adviser, Business Gateway Fife, said: “Taking the step to become a business owner can seem daunting, but with our help Emma was able to formalise what she had been successfully doing for years into a limited company. By moving into the Enterprise Hub she has been able to easily separate work from home life and now works from a space surrounded by other business owners, sole traders and microbusinesses looking to grow. Having completed two of WES’ leadership workshops she feels more self-assured and is driven to really push the business to the next level.”

 If you would like to find out how Business Gateway Fife can support your business, please contact us on 01592 858333 or email success@bgfife.co.uk