Burngreave
Business Success
by Rob Smith
When I first met Helima Rageh
four years ago, she talked of a cleaning business initiative
her and associate Kaleem Kaid were taking on. Now HK
Cleaning Service is a highly-respected and expanding
business with an affiliated company in Leicester. Halima
explains: “We started as a sole trader with five
people from our house in Catherine Road. In 2001 we
became a limited company.”
“Of course to begin with it was
a struggle. Kaleem got a personal business loan to help.
But since 2002 business has boomed and allowed us to
expand our workforce to thirty.” Halima also expressed
her joy at being self-employed and able to create work
for others, after spending many years prior on social
security.
HK Cleaning Service is now picking up
major cleaning contracts across Yorkshire and the south
of England and is currently negotiating a major contract
with a Sheffield firm. “If this goes well, we
will be expanding again and employing more Burngreave
people,” Kaleem, who previously worked in a cardboard
box factory, added smiling proudly.
Their success has led them to start a
new venture – Moon and Stars Wedding Planners.
Halima said: “The company will employ local people
with artistic, catering, photography and design skills.”
They are applying for funding from BNDfC’s Business
in the Community.
The two services are based at Faith Works, Club Mill
Road, S6. Halima asks anyone looking for cleaning work
with hours to suit to contact her on 275 8581.
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