|
"The idea for Big Green Factory was to help non-profits and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to get awareness of their brand and to raise money through merchandising," explains Mark Sanders-Barwick, who founded the company in 2008.
The company's website offers a range of clothing, accessories, books and more for sale. However, the bulk of Big Green Factory's business involves working with clients to help them design and produce merchandise and generate communications materials. Mark's company also offers valuable advice about how to build environmentally-aware procurement, retail and fulfilment systems.
"It's primarily giving non-profits the ability to merchandise at no cost to themselves," clarifies Mark. "All they see coming back is a direct revenue stream."
A newbie to accounts
With a background in manufacturing and publishing, Mark had the expertise and contacts to get his business off the ground. But as he's first to admit, figures aren't his thing: "I was a complete newbie to accounting. I had no knowledge of it whatsoever."
Like many companies, Big Green Factory began by using an Excel spreadsheet to manage its finances. "As the business grew, I was spending more time on the accounts - and it was becoming very complex," says Mark.
That's when he decided he needed a more straightforward accounting system. "A lot of people recommended QuickBooks to me," he continues, "and I did some research online as well. To me it seemed the simple solution for a complete novice at accounting."
Accounting software for Macs
As a self-confessed "Mac lover", Mark opted for QuickBooks Online, which can be accessed from any internet-connected Mac or PC. "QuickBooks Online lets me use a platform I'm familiar with," he confirms. "I've always used Macs."
And because Mark is often away from his company's Surrey HQ, he appreciates the flexibility of QuickBooks Online: "Being able to log in online gives me the freedom to analyse my accounts while I'm away, pay bills and make sure the business is running smoothly."
"It's really freed up my working practice," he reveals, recounting how he accessed QuickBooks Online while staying at a hotel in LA. "I was on a fundraising mission over there and we accessed the accounts no problem at all."
As well as monitoring income and expenditure, Big Green Factory relies on QuickBooks Online to manage its regular VAT returns - a notorious hassle for many businesses.
"VAT at the end of every quarter was an absolute nightmare," recalls Mark. "QuickBooks makes that so much simpler. It takes all the stress and worry away."
|
