Rebecca Jordan
Learning curve
Rebecca Jordan and Kirsty Weir set up gap year information site gapwork.com, the first of several businesses together, in 1999. Since then, they've won a host of national and regional entrepreneurial awards. Their latest project, PDC Education, is a national resource for teachers; they tell us what they've learned on their route to enterprise success.
What gave you the idea for PDC Education?
We had already been producing resources for schools in the areas of careers, enterprise and citizenship - PDC is a way of bringing it together.
What were you doing at the time you had the idea?
We run a website for gap year students at gapwork.com and another publishing and content company called Clear Content, so we are always doing other things! This was an area we had interest in and we wanted to pursue it.
What was the first thing you did to try and make the idea happen?
We did a lot of market research with schools and teachers to find out what kind of things they need, and that would also suit them and be accessible.
Who helped you, and how?
We have always talked to other people who are established in the industry to get an idea of what we can do. We have paid consultants and generally picked brains wherever possible!
When did the idea start looking viable?
We already had a base of customers from our Gapwork business, and we could see there was a gap in the market. We were producing materials promoting gap years, careers, and personal development into schools, so knew there would be a demand for this kind of service.
What obstacles did you encounter along the way?
Finding money, keeping staff, dealing with red tape – every day brings new obstacles – but they are only obstacles if you think of them that way. We think of them as 'challenges'!
When did the idea officially get up and running?
We started Gapwork in 1999, Clear Content in 2003 and we are launching PDC Education officially this September. Our new book, In Good Company: The Essential Start Up Guide for Women, was published in June.
Future plans for the idea?
We want to continue to do exciting and creative work in the educational world – ensuring that we are happy, our staff are happy, our schools are happy, and that everyone is benefiting from the success of PDC.
Advice to anyone else who wants to make their idea happen?
Research, research and more research! and be prepared for things to change on a daily basis.