Megan Archbold first founded Trailblaze Electrical Services in May 2024. Although she was employed full-time at the time, Megan knew that she ultimately wanted to become her own boss and start her own company. With the help of TEDCO she is making her dream of self-employment a reality.
Megan first accessed the Start Up South Tyneside programme at the start of 2025 working with advisor Bill Hartshorne to secure a £15,000 business loan to purchase a commercial van. At the time, she had begun taking on small independent electrical jobs around her full-time employment – hoping that she could eventually turn her side hustle into a full-time business.
Fast-forward to the end of 2025 and Megan has gone from a fledgling start-up to an in-demand business based in South Shields, not only going self-employed but also branching out into EV charging installation and outdoor lighting. Megan explains:
“Ever since I started as an apprentice electrician in 2018, I’ve really wanted to become my own boss. I was fortunate to work within another company in order to train and gain my qualifications but I was always passionate about setting up Trailblaze.
“By April 2025 I’d found that my reputation was growing in the local area and I was getting enough referrals by word of mouth to go self-employed full time.”
Reflecting on her experience with new clients, Megan says that she’s enjoyed a particularly positive response from those who’ve perhaps been surprised to find a female electrician working in the local community.
“I understand that I occupy a little bit of a niche as the only female electrician in the local area.
“If anything, I think being a woman has worked in my favour because some of my clients have been older women living on their own – people who might feel safer welcoming in a woman like myself into their home. I’ve even had comments from people saying how nice it is to see a female electrician providing a role model for young girls.”
Megan credits the help of a business loan from the Business Enterprise Fund and the support of TEDCO Business Support in helping her accelerate the growth of Trailblaze:
“I genuinely don’t think I would be where I am now if I hadn’t had the support from TEDCO to pursue this path. From the classes and sessions I attended that gave me confidence in how to set up a business right through to accessing a business loan.
“For any young women looking to follow a similar path to me, I’d always recommend taking advantage of the support out there and not being scared to ask for help to get started in business.”
Start Up South Tyneside is a business Start up programme delivered by the TEDCO Business Support on behalf of South Tyneside Council which aims to support local residents with their aspirations to start up a business. Find out more: Start Up South Tyneside | Tedco Business Support
