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NATIONAL FAMILY BUSINESS DAY
3rd Generation Entrepreneurs @ Ballymena Business Centre
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Ann Strain grew up in a rural family business in the village of Ahoghill outside Ballymena. Being inspired at a young age by her father’s business Jimmy Moore’s Mobile Shop and her mother’s talented baking, Ann couldn’t wait to get home from school to help in the family business. The desire to start her own business was always with Ann and in 1980 having raised her family Ann established Wuthering Heights Home Bakery. Located today at Ballymena Business Centre, Wuthering Heights Home Bakery has gone from strength to strength. With the leadership of Ann’s son Andrew Strain and supported by Ann’s daughter Diane Strain the business has trebled threefold with a total product range of 67 own label brands and a distribution base reaching from Londonderry to Newtownabbey and from the Causeway coast inland to Ballymena. Ann diversified the business in 2009 and opened The Cosy Cuppa, a café where businesses and visitors to Ballymena Business Centre can sample many of the sweet delights over a friendly chat. Today, through the commitment of the Strain family both businesses provide employment for 10 individuals from the local Ballymena area.
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“Starting and running a business requires commitment and dedication. Growing up I was inspired by my parent’s work ethic and I have passed my knowledge and skills onto my family. If you are passionate about a business idea and can give 100% towards developing your idea I would encourage getting in touch with Ballymena Business Centre where you will be supported through each step of your business journey”
Ann Strain Wuthering Heights Home Bakery & Cosy Cuppa Café
Ann Strain Wuthering Heights Home Bakery & Cosy Cuppa Café
Celebrating Success of Ballymena Business Centre Entrepreneurs
Damian O'Hagan of Zip Yard. Picture by Ballymena Times
The prospect of being made redundant is one of the biggest challenges many individuals face. It has a major impact on household income, family members and an individuals health and wellbeing. After dealing with the initial shock and coming to terms with a redundancy announcement many individuals start to look to the future. Some will explore opportunities for alternative employment, some may seek to learn new skills and some may have a desire to explore starting a business. Ballymena Business Centre has a team of local business advisors who are at hand to provide free advice and help you consider the option of starting a business. Having attended the Regional Start Programme Damian who is facing redundancy and Lynn who left employment decided to start the Zip Yard Franchise in Ballymena.
