Business start-up success for UWS alumni

UWS accounting graduates Danielle Biggins and Shannon McDonald tell us about making the leap into being their own boss just before lockdown in 2020.

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am the Co-Founder, along with Shannon McDonald of Dash Accounting Services Ltd. Both myself and Shannon graduated from the BAcc (Hons) Accounting programme at University of the West of Scotland’s Lanarkshire Campus and after working in industry for several years we have recently set up our own practice.

What does your business do?
Dash is an independent provider of professional services. We provide a wide range of outsourced financial services and pride ourselves in working with our clients to ensure that we have a thorough knowledge of their needs.

Where is your business based?
Unit 1.6, Workspace 1, CoVault, Fullarton Road, Glasgow, G32 8YL

When did you launch your business? February 2020

What’s your background and why did you decide to start your own business?
Both myself and Shannon worked within the creative industry for 9 years collectively as Financial Controller and Finance Manager for Scotland’s largest animation studio. We felt that we had developed a niche knowledge of an emerging industry and decided that we could form Dash to provide support to the wider creative community. Since then, we have expanded our expertise into other sectors.

Be ready and willing to continuing learning as this is just the start of your journey.

Danielle Biggins

Has the degree you studied for been an influence on the business you are running now? Yes, we both studied accounting degrees, and this has been the foundation to enable us to further expand our knowledge and go on to set up our business.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?
Yes, all our amazing clients and peers have helped us during the last year. With the pandemic happening there has been many hurdles and having to constantly adapt to changes as a new business has not been without its challenges but our clients and peers have all maintained the confidence in us which as a new start up business has been greatly appreciated.

What would you do differently?
Looking back on the last year and although it has been challenging it has also been hugely rewarding so the only thing, I think I would do differently is doing it sooner.

Where do you plan your business to be in five years time?
Our growth plans for the next 5 years would be two expand further to allow us to hire another 3-5 people. This would allow us to further expand our services across Scotland.

If you could offer one piece of advice or top tip to recent graduates what would it be?
Be ready and willing to continuing learning as this is just the start of your journey.

How do people reach you if they are interested in learning more?
Visit our website https://dashaccountingservices.com or email us at hello@dashaccountingservices.com

You can also find us on social media:

www.facebook.com/dashaccountingservices

www.linkedin.com/company/dash-accounting-services/

www.instagram.com/dashaccountingservices