Year 1 - Completed
I started Àrachas³ last March, and began trading in July following the closure of SENScot Legal. It was an uncertain time and closing the doors for the final time and saying goodbye to my SENScot family was certainly a sad moment. But, everything happens for a reason, and after supporting thousands of social enterprises over the years, I couldn’t just walk away!
It is not easy running a social enterprise and part of my passion is to help people run their businesses more effectively. By using a blend of consultancy and bolt on legal services, I get to use my background in law to improve impact within communities by strengthening the capacity of people and organisations that operate within them.
Many people ask me what impact I could possibility have by offering these services, and that is a good question - this is not traditionally a social impact service! But, I like to think I offer an unique expertise and perspective within the social enterprise world and wider social economy. All individuals and organisations within the Third Sector and the wider social economy have to make challenging and complex legal decisions at some points within their organisation, as well as think about the social impact and financial sustainability of their organisation. Without access to quality advice and support, this can be challenging.
I offer support to founders, board members, CEO’s and even the wider boards, with a wide range of issues. But also to navigate their way through the never-ending governance and compliance requirements for their organisations. I can help you decipher complex legal jargon and prepare and review documents in a straightforward way. In short, I want to turn the legal profession on its head, and offer an ‘alternative’ service to your traditional solicitors firm.
For me, my relationship with you is paramount, and as long as my capacity allows, I want to be available to you as and when you need it. I will be working alongside you to withstand the challenges of running your business.
Legal and quality business support is not a luxury and it should not be the organisations with healthy reserves that are able to access advice! This support should be available to all organisations, in the same way as it should be available to individuals for their personal legal issues. If my services weren’t needed, I wouldn’t be here 13 years later with so many enquiries that I can’t keep up!
The challenge that I have is that I do not receive funding and I am not part of the national framework for business support so I rely on the fees I generate through my services. Because of this, I am not as responsive as I would like to be, and that may mean that I lose business. I cannot offer the same availability as most support organisations, as it just me behind my desk, doing the best I can.
It has been a great first year, and I ended the financial year with a small profit (on paper at least!) and I am hopeful for the future. I hope to grow things at a steady rate, and take on support staff when possible, but still manage to keep a work/life balance in tact. As a mum of two boys under 8 and a pup to look after, the juggle is a struggle. Now, let’s see what year 2 brings!
