Karen Finch, Founder of the Hearing Care Centre Ltd was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Chamber Awards 2005 Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony.

Success in small market share
The Hearing Care Centre Ltd, a member of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Shipping, was founded in 1998 to provide independent, holistic and ethical services to the hard of hearing in Suffolk. Launched as a single premise site in Ipswich, the company now operates from a further eight centres across the county and employs 11 people, which includes four trained dispensers.

Struggling to compete in a market where small independent dispensers of hearing equipment and services have just a 3% share, Karen has managed to build her business to a turnover of £660,000, with the hope of hitting a turnover of £1m in 2006/07.

Determination and persistence
The Entrepreneur of the Year award was given to an individual who has been instrumental in the success of a business, and Karen Finch stood out from the competition due to the determination and persistence she exhibited in order to make her business a success.

The business set up costs were so high that Karen had to secure a loan on her own house in order to buy the correct equipment at the outset. Since the company launched, Karen has spent over £100,000 training four dispensers, two of which started in the company as receptionists. Karen and her colleagues are also involved in fundraising efforts, in particular raising money for Hearing Dogs for deaf people.

What the award means to the Hearing Care Centre
Karen Finch, Founder of the Hearing Care Centre said: “What this award provides for me, in fact for us all at the Hearing Care Centre, is the recognition and approval of other business people. There is nothing more satisfying than hearing words of praise from those who are in the know; those who understand the trials and tribulations, the fear, the loneliness and self-doubt suffered by anyone who wants to start up in business.”

Future Ambitions after the Chamber Awards
Karen added: “Although much of the Company’s success is based on the satellite centres that we operate around the county, our dedicated hearing centre in Ipswich is still “home” for 11 staff and is bursting at the seams. We now have four fully functioning Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers and just two consulting rooms. There is insufficient space for any of us to have our own desk or admin space, and we are having to create a storage space in the “back yard” for our exhibition material. So the number one ambition is to move to, and equip larger premises, which will have the latest audiometry equipment, IT network, more consulting rooms and office space.

“We also have a further 2 satellite centres in the pipeline, so to bring them fully online will keep us busy for the rest of 2006.”

Why Enter the Chamber Awards?
Karen commented: “Like every business person I have set a number of key performance indicators for my company (and ultimately myself). I know we are making a real difference to the lives of people with hearing loss because our patients tell us so; I know we are doing well financially – my accountant grudgingly tells me so; I am definitely providing a challenging and fulfilling career for myself and I am doing my best to nurture and grow the skills and capabilities of my team. So entering the awards and winning has proved to the Hearing Care Centre team and I, that we have got it right!”