WHEN Kurt Hobbs set up Kurt Hobbs Coachworks back in 2009, he knew that things would be tough, having started the business during a period of deep recession, when many small businesses in the UK were closing under the economic strain.
With a positive attitude and the burning desire to build a great business, Kurt strived on knowing that whatever obstacles crossed his path, he would deal with them head on in order to achieve his dream.
Like many people who set up their own business, Kurt had put everything on the line to make it work and he started to build a business with solid foundations. Kurt’s desire was never solely focused on how much profit the business could make, it was about creating something great that would be a long-term investment, offering secure employment for all his employees and providing a solid future for all. A business that everyone involved could be proud of.
With the business heading in the right direction, Kurt could not have foreseen the biggest challenge of his life, when in September 2014 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. With a sense of urgency, Kurt knew that with the ongoing treatment plan and no guarantees, he would not be able to commit himself to the business as he had done before.
As treatment commenced Kurt was absent from work more and more and it became clear just how well established with business had become. With his trusted and loyal employees steering the ship, it was clear that Kurt’s time away was not going to have an adverse effect on the business. Even through the good and bad days Kurt was still watching the business closely and looking from the outside in, which has had a positive effect on the business.
Kurt said: “In my absence the management team really stepped up a gear and took collective responsibility for my role within the company. All the employees remained motivated, loyal and secure in their jobs and each and every one of our customers continued to support us throughout.
Having received an unrelated bone marrow transplant in June 2016, Kurt is now in remission and is recovering at home, still unable to go into work because of his low immune system. “It fills me with pride to see how well the business has coped without me,” he said. “Looking back, I didn’t really see the point at which we became so professional but I am so thankful that we did. I really believe that to make a business strong and successful it should be built on solid foundations and never rely solely on one single person, and I am pleased to say that Kurt Hobbs Coachworks has achieved this. Having a winning team by my side has allowed me to focus on my recovery and for this I will be eternally grateful.”
Kurt now has a second chance at life due to the anonymous, selfless person who donated their stem cells to save another and he hopes that one day he will be able to meet his donor and thank them personally but his first mission is to raise awareness for the Anthony Nolan Trust, without whose support the transplant would not have been possible. Kurt is planning to enter the British Transplant Games which will be held in July 2017 in North Lanarkshire.
For more information about Kurt Hobbs Coachworks, call 01536 330515 or visit the website www.kurthobbscoachworks.co.uk