Michael Osborne

Managing Director @Business First Network

GB

After another successful business exit, I decided to venture into creating my own membership organisation. I recognised the inherent challenges of selling such a product. However, the benefits, including recurring revenue, predictable cash flow, and opportunities for upselling related products and services, made it an appealing venture.Commencing on January 1, 2014, and giving myself a six-month window to establish the business, I dedicated my efforts to the creation of Business First Network, officially launched on June 1, 2014.Business First Network operates as a fully-fledged Business Membership Organization, providing a range of services:• Fully underwritten advice lines for Legal, HR, Tax, VAT, and Health & Safety.• A comprehensive Business Document site offering guidance and templates for business issues.• Assistance for business owners in complying with new Auto-Enrolment legislation.• Member discounts, deals, and activities for Business Owners, their families, and staff.Additional member benefits encompass networking, coaching, an online portal, a print and post platform, insurance, bank accounts, finance, card processing, energy deals, telecoms and IT deals, payroll, private medical health care, credit control, and data services.To establish credibility, Business First Network launched with a fully functioning business setup, including a copyrighted name, logo, and branding, a functioning e-commerce website, a recurring direct debit payment system, a comprehensive welcome pack with a personalised and numbered membership card, a GDPR-compliant membership database with email communication resources, fully branded social media sites, local geographic phone numbers, and a 24-hour member helpline.Today, Business First Network remains operational, supporting over 500 SME business owners.2024 sees the launch of Business First Hub, giving SME owners immediate access to our services.

Queen's University Belfast

BSc. (hons), Geology