Posted 14.01.2021 

With the support of Marty McLoughlin, Job Match Supported Employment Officer, Linzi Montgomery launched her own audio transcription business, Montgomery Transcription Service, in February 2020.

After leaving work in 2015 due to health problems Linzi recognised that homeworking was her most appropriate employment option due to the nature of her disability. Linzi had ideas to start her own business but lacked the confidence to pursue self-employment.  Disability Action’s Job Match programme stepped in when Linzi was referred to our team by Wendy in the Lisburn Jobs & Benefits Office in mid-2019.

Marty McLoughlin, Job Match Supported Employment Officer, was assigned to support Linzi. Her early ideas for business included providing an ironing service or selling goods on Amazon. However by chatting through her experience and options with Marty, and realising that Linzi had 30 years’ experience as a Typist and Personal Secretary working in the Public Sector, the initial ideas were discarded to pursue Audio Transcription.

Marty signposted Linzi to the ‘Go For It’ programme for specialist support to develop a detailed business plan. With greater clarity on business viability Marty and Linzi started collaborating to design and create professional graphics to brand her business effectively. Marty and Linzi also explored what equipment she would need, how she should price her services competitively and with what methods she could reach customers. With business cards in hand and a social media presence she was ready to launch her business in February 2020.

Montgomery Transcription Service has gone from strength to strength and Linzi’s work has been diverse, the most notable work being transcribing a script for a short film and typing a customer’s first novel. In the last few months, she has made inroads into the legal profession and television media and looks forward to these contacts bearing fruit soon.

Speaking about the support she received from Job Match, Linzi said:

I am certain that my business would not have been kick-started and continue to flourish if it had not been for Marty.  His patience knows no bounds and he has always been the voice of reason.  When I have felt disillusioned, he has given me the confidence to carry on.  His guidance and advice have been invaluable to me.

Marty said:

I was delighted to play a role in supporting Linzi through all stages of business development and to watch her confidence grow exponentially. Linzi clearly had the talent for delivering a first-class audio transcription service but needed support to acquire the confidence to launch her business.

Find out more about Montgomery Transcription Service here

Read more about how Job Match can help you to find paid work or pursue a self-employment route