Featured Businesses / Uncategorized
Name of Business – Caulfield Financial Ltd
Year Established – 2017
Your Name – Aoife Caulfield
Previous Jobs – Bank Official, Secretary, Receptionist
Describe Your Business, What Do You Offer?
My business is a Financial Planning Brokerage which offers specialised help, advice & support in areas such as Retirement and Pensions, Life Insurance, Serious Illness Cover, Income Protection, Mortgage Protection, Inheritance Tax Planning, Key Person Insurance and Savings & Investments.
Why Did You Decide to Set Up the Business?
Because in the company’s that I was working for previously, there was never any scope for promotion or proper recognition for my work and I was like a machine, so I decided “Feck that” and went about the onerous task to getting my authorisation with the Central Bank of Ireland.
What Makes You Different?
When you pick up the phone to call me I answer it, if you email me, I respond. I am all about the personable approach, and as I have no staff, you will always be looked after by myself, and I can assure you, that when it’s your own business, no one looks after my clients more than I.
What Has Been Your Greatest Achievement in Business So Far?
Establishing a huge pension scheme single-handedly and quickly gathering over 700 clients in such a short space of time. Existing clients and BNI colleagues are continuously referring me on new business from their recommendations so it’s almost like I have a Sales and Marketing team working for me!
What Are Your Goals Going Forward?
Now, that is a good question! I think I surprise people by saying that I have no intention of hiring any staff or having a premises on the main street. The reason I set up on my own from my home office was to have flexibility for my family – I have 2 teenage daughters and we have a busy home so I’m really glad I have already gotten to that point where I can take an afternoon off if I am on top of my Administration. I am very lucky as some people have to work at their business years to get to that goal, whereas I started at the top where I wanted to be and that was always part of my business plan.
What Advice Would You Give Yourself If You Could Go Back to the Start? What, If Anything, Would You Do Differently?
To have more confidence in myself from the get-go when I was setting up my business. I was still doing the same job, just getting paid from a different source. I never doubted that I would not get my authorisation from the Central Bank so I was designing company logos, and headed paper before I was authorised so the minute I left my former job, I was ready to set sail in my own ship. I would have also liked to have the confidence to have stood up more to the people who tried to throw obstacles in my way. I would also like to not care about the people who are jealous of me for my success, I hope that one day, they will have contentment.
