Today we are introducing you to Kevin, the small business owner of Heavy Metals, a scrap metal business in Perth WA.
Kevin had his own business in the past, however, after some personal setbacks he reached out to Many Rivers for support to get back into business. After meeting Joy a few months ago, Kevin hit the ground running and hasn’t looked back.
“Joy, my Many Rivers business coach, has put a smile on my face from the day I met her. She has been so great and helpful. I have had a few loans for other things in the past and this was the most pleasurable experience I have had borrowing money.”
Read more about Kevin and his Heavy Metals small business in Perth WA.
Meet Kevin
My business name is Heavy Metals, I do scrap metal recycling for all sorts of metals. I have been running this for about 15 years. I had a bit of a setback about two years ago with some personal challenges and my truck got yellow stickered. Before that I managed tyre stores, I worked for an air base and I am also a qualified chef as well!
I just needed a bit of a leg up. NEIS referred me to Many Rivers and I was sent Joy, my Many Rivers business coach! It was wicked, she has been fantastic.
Starting His Small Business
I decided to go into business because I was sick and tired of helping other people’s businesses grow. It got to a point where I realised that I should have been doing that for myself. I am a good hard worker and I saw all the money that I was turning over for these companies and how much I was getting paid. I thought it was ridiculous and that I was worth more and had more knowledge than what I was getting back. So, I went into business myself. A friend of mine told me, ‘Kev, find something you like doing that makes money and just do it again and again and again.’ I love doing scrap metal and so now it feels like Christmas every day.
The biggest change since having my own small business is that I can pay my bills and be up to date. I feel more secure knowing that I will be able to meet my rent, have food in the fridge and fuel in the tank. It is quite comforting.
Working With Many Rivers
Joy lives up to her name, she really does. She has put a smile on my face from the day I met her. She has been so great and helpful. I have had a few loans for other things in the past and this was the most pleasurable experience I have had borrowing money. She is a Joy!
Joy showed me how my life was travelling at that point. She showed me how I can make changes so that I can afford to go to the pub sometimes. How can I afford to run a business and to put money away each week for the long-term? I have found it hard to save money in the past. Now I have opened up an account where I can put savings in, and I can’t take it back out. I have money sitting there for registration coming up and things like that. This is one of the best things that has happened to me over the last two years. Now I know how to manage my life. Before I had put most of my finances in my partners account because I was not good with numbers. So I am glad that I have learnt this myself.
Getting A Loan With Many Rivers
I used the loan from Many Rivers to refurbish the truck and get it back on the road again. It turned out a little bit more expensive than what I borrowed. With Joys help I could manage what I spent, and it really helped me get it refurbished.
Joy showed me how to put my life on a graph and look at my business and personal expenditures and incomes. She could show me where my financial strengths and weaknesses are. I realised how much money I was spending on some parts of my life. For example, I did not realise how much money I was spending in the pub each week. It was so great for her to help me see where all my money was going.
Biggest Challenge
Sticking to it. I know that it is the right thing to do and everything. I know that I have the money sitting there and I want to go and spend it. But I have responsibilities and things that I need to get sorted with my business. I am up to date with all my bills. Joy has helped me have my loan repayments on set dates rather than a rolling basis which I found quite hard to keep track of.
Biggest Success
My truck is licenced and it is back on the road. My business is running and there are a few more challenges with the truck which I expected. Once they are fixed there is nothing stopping me from making money.
Future Goals For his Heavy Metals Small Business
Next, I want to get a better truck and I am looking to employ a friend. There is someone lined up and I have a ute lined up. I want to spend more time out in the country picking stuff up but to be able to do that I need someone back here processing that stuff. I have it all lined up, I just have to get the work lined up. It will come as my heavy metal small business grows.
Thanks Kevin for sharing your business journey so far. We are excited to be joining you on this journey as your business grows.
Many Rivers would love to encourage more people to take the first step towards kick starting their small businesses idea. Do you want to make your small business dreams a reality? We’re here to support you the whole way.
CLICK HERE to see if Many Rivers is right for you
If you loved this business journey and would like to read another, read about Sheanne, the small business owner of She Dazzle Diamond Art, who found a hobby for herself and decided to share it with others.
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