Q&A with Fortrose business owner
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Hayley Mudge the owner of Chanonry Payroll Solutions told us a few things about herself over a coffee...
Q: What inspired you to get into payroll?
Like everyone that works in payroll, I fell into it. I was made redundant from an office job. I signed on to Jobseekers for the first time, and during my first meeting I asked for more info on one of the positions they mentioned. Little did I know that if you enquired about a position during this meeting, you had to apply for it. I had absolutely no experience, but ended up getting the job, and that was the start of my payroll career. Wouldn’t give it up now.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love to process improve and I’m a keen problem solver. Both are crucial in payroll. It’s all about getting information from the employee/manager to the payslip, making sure everything’s processed correctly, getting the best procedures, identifying and correcting any issues, and answering queries from the client or employee. As I put it, it’s like putting on your CSI hat on sometimes, getting to the route of a software issue, or explaining why a certain amount of tax has been deducted from an employee. I love to be able to put a confused/stressed client or employee’s mind at ease, once they know the reason for something.
Q: You have your own business. What advice would you give to someone considering setting up their own business?
Go for it! It was the best decision I’ve made, even though it wasn’t a fully conscious decision as I was lead down the business owner path by circumstances. It’s not easy, there’s lots you need to know and do, and can be overwhelming sometimes, but just take each step at a time. Breakdown what you need to do and begin working on it, the first step is always the hardest. And make sure you gather a group of fellow business owners around you for support and bouncing ideas off.
Q: What are the biggest rewards in running your own business?
The flexibility, which is the main reason why I started the business, to be able to fit around my son after he was born. But also, the achievement, looking back over the last 5 years, and all that I’ve accomplished.
Q: What are the biggest challenges?
When setting up a business it’s difficult to find out what you need to do, especially when dealing with HMRC. It can easily be overwhelming and lonely, if you’re setting up by yourself. Which is why having a group of fellow business owners around you is a great support. You can’t be knowledgeable in, or do everything, so finding the right partners to outsource to is important.
Q: What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
I’ve been given so much great advice over the years, it’s hard to pin point a specific one. But, I would say, setting goals and 1% improvements. We often want to achieve so much in business and we can overwhelm ourselves when trying to take on everything at once. Breaking down your goals in to smaller actionable tasks, and focusing on improving the financials and running of your business by 1% each time. It makes it more attainable and when things are seen to be more achievable, they often are. And small improvements can often snowball, mounting up as time goes by.
Q: How do you relax away from work?
I don’t think you ever completely switch off as a business owner. I love to read, and that’s how I relax, even though some of the books are business related.
Q: If you were planning a great escape where would you go?
A tour around Scotland. There is so much out there on our own doorstep, so to speak, that we forget to take the time to enjoy it.
COFFEE BREAK IS SPONSORED BY INVERNESS ROASTING CO.
