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by Kate Pritchard - Wednesday, 5th September 2007

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“It’s a small upfront cost – but it keeps their brains active,” says Natalie, who set up Colchester-based call centre company MyRuby earlier this year.

And the staff perks don’t stop there: “We try and do a lot of things at ground level to keep employees happy, ranging from an office masseur and weekly cakes to car wash vouchers and glossy magazines in the office. It’s important for staff to have R&R time.”

MyRuby now has 100 clients on its books, employs nine people and has a projected turnover of £800,000 by the end of year one.

“We used £100,000 of personal savings and a bank loan from HSBC to get the business off the ground,” says Natalie. “It took us at least four months to get from concept to launch.

“Our idea was to turn the idea of a call centre on its head: we offer each client a dedicated ‘virtual PA’.

"We’re a real alternative for small companies who don’t have the budget for a full-time receptionist but still want their calls professionally managed. You can have a ‘Ruby’ for a month for what it would cost you to hire a temp for the day.”

Natalie is so convinced by the strength of her service that she offers all new clients a free one-week trial. “My biggest piece of advice to other entrepreneurs is to have courage in your conviction.”

Visit myruby.co.uk

Tags: staff perks, virtual pa, hsbc, masseur, andy perillo, myruby, natalie perillo,