Mechanical design engineer Jamie White of Bentley, Ipswich, was fired up to start his own wood grills business after becoming fed up with corporate life.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich start-up 6 Elements. Picture: KEREN WHITE/6 ELEMENTSIpswich start-up 6 Elements. Picture: KEREN WHITE/6 ELEMENTS (Image: Keren White/6 Elements)

Now he uses his skills to design and manufacture superior quality stainless steel outdoor fire pits, chimineas, wood grills and other outdoor living products through his company, 6 Elements, which he started in July. Before launching his start-up he was working for a large American based global machinery corporation, but began to feel “jaded and undervalued” working for large companies. The plan is wife Keren will join the business on the financial side, and daughter Milly on the design/manufacturing side

“I realised after working for many large corporations, there is no real job security in a career job. And I just wanted to create an independent business and livelihood for my family, that I can hopefully build up and pass to them,” he said.

“There are legal business guidelines to follow, which is simple to research. The difficult part is overcoming the fear of losing a semi secure income, and having the confidence and belief in yourself that you can make it work. If anything doesn’t work correctly, you have to find out why as fast as possible, and adapt the situation until it does work.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich start-up 6 Elements. Picture: KEREN WHITE/6 ELEMENTSIpswich start-up 6 Elements. Picture: KEREN WHITE/6 ELEMENTS (Image: Keren White/6 Elements)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich start-up 6 Elements. Picture: KEREN WHITE/6 ELEMENTSIpswich start-up 6 Elements. Picture: KEREN WHITE/6 ELEMENTS (Image: Keren White/6 Elements)