Business owners find effective ways of coping, knowing that in time, equilibrium will return to the business. It is all part and parcel of running a business after all. However, on occasion, the problem is such that it poses serious difficulties and the business owner finds him or herself having to stare possible bankruptcy in the face. But there is help out there, with agencies that are very keen to support any business in trouble and ensure that it doesn’t have to close its doors.

Overcoming adversity is a challenge for every business, no matter the circumstances. Here’s an example of how one world event that shocked us all threatened to bring about the end of business-network provider TFM Networks, based in Aston Sandford. In its early years, TFM specialised in hospitality and retail, redesigning networks for the likes of Forte Hotels and building the first check-in network system for Premier Inn.

Established in 1995, the company was celebrating the signing of a major acquisition deal in the US hospitality sector on 10^th September 2001.  Most of us will remember the horror of the following day. The 9/11 terrorist attacks brought the sector to its knees. With the almost overnight collapse of the US hotel industry, the knock on affect meant that TFM had to reduce its staff to six and found itself literally back to “square one” financially. These were extremely difficult times. But after a period of consolidation, the company was reborn in 2003 as TFM Networks. It anticipated the rise of Chip and PIN in the UK, recognising the demand for resilient, high-speed, reliable business networks capable of handling all the new transaction data.  A UK-first followed in 2006 as TFM Networks installed the first QoS-enabled broadband MPLS VPN, for high-street fashion retailer H&M. This guaranteed a consistent high quality service that the retailer could depend on. TFM’s growth subsequently accelerated and the company continues to go from strength to strength.

Stewart Yates, CEO of TFM Networks, comments: “We have come a long way since we began in 1995. Our ability to adapt and committed people got us through a continually evolving technological and economic landscape not to mention the worst terrorist attack and economic recession in living memory and we now stand as one of the leading business-only network providers in the country. We remain a proud family-run business that continues to deliver networks that have helped UK businesses grow immeasurably over the last decade.”

This year the company celebrated its 20^th birthday.

If your business is going through a difficult time and you feel the end is nigh… there is a plethora of help out there.

Contact the Business Support Team at Buckinghamshire Business First on 01494 568941 to talk things through in the first instance. They will be able to advise you on who best to talk to.

Alternatively you can call the GOV.UK Business Support Helpline on 0300 456 3565.