Name: Audrey Jurkoniene

Business: Business Help UK Ltd

Location: Chatham

Founded: 2005

➡️ What does your business do, and who do you help?

BHUK Group is an accountancy and business advisory firm supporting business owners across the UK with accounts, tax, VAT, payroll, and strategic financial guidance.
We work with start-ups, established businesses, company directors, and property investors — helping them not only stay compliant, but also improve structure, reduce unnecessary tax, and build long-term financial security with greater clarity and confidence.

➡️ What sparked the idea for your business?

At the time, I was working within one of the UK’s largest accountancy franchise practices in central London. Outside of work, I found that friends were regularly calling me for help to understand their finances and business matters.

It quickly became clear that this was not just about friendship - it highlighted a gap. Many business owners (both sole traders and operating as limited companies) felt unable to ask their accountants questions and/or they struggled to understand the answers they were given. Initially, I assumed this might be due to language barriers, but when native English-speaking clients expressed the same concerns, I realised the issue was often the use of technical jargon rather than clear, practical communication.

That realisation became the foundation of the business: creating a service where clients feel comfortable asking questions and receive clear, meaningful guidance and not just compliance.

➡️ How did you win your very first customers?

My first clients were those same individuals who had already trusted me informally – my friends who valued clear explanations and practical advice.

As relationships grew, referrals followed. People appreciated not just the compliance support, but the practical guidance and clarity they received, and that naturally led to more introductions.

Many of them remain clients to this day, which reflects the importance of trust and long-term relationships in our business.

➡️ What do you enjoy most about running your own business day to day?

What I value most is being around the team we have built. There is a real sense of support, shared purpose, and pride in the work we do, and that environment is incredibly important to me.

At the same time, I find great satisfaction in working closely with clients; particularly in those moments when they come to us feeling uncertain or concerned, sometimes unsure whether anything can be done to improve their situation.

With experience, I often already know that there is a way forward. In many cases, it comes down to improving structure, clarity or strategy. However, it can also go beyond the technical side. Over the years, I have developed a strong network of trusted contacts, which means I can often connect clients with the right people or solutions, even outside of accountancy.

I always encourage clients to share their concerns openly, even if they feel it may not be something I deal with directly. More often than not, there is either a solution or someone I trust who can help.

Being able to turn uncertainty into clarity, both within the team and for our clients, is one of the most rewarding aspects of running the business.

➡️ What has been the toughest challenge you have faced as a business owner so far?

The early stages were the most challenging. I moved from a stable, well-paid position in London into building a business without immediate income, which required both resilience and careful financial discipline.

A key turning point came through exposure to the construction industry. My husband, who was working in that sector at the time, introduced me to a network of self-employed sub-contractors and business owners. This gave me first-hand insight into how that industry operates: its challenges, common tax inefficiencies and lack of knowledge how to run business efficiently.

That experience not only helped grow the client base but also shaped my understanding of business structures, particularly for contractors and property-focused entrepreneurs. It later influenced my own journey into property investment and advising clients on using SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles) and structured business models to build long-term wealth.

➡️ What moment has made you feel most proud of your business?

While receiving industry recognition, including three business awards, including most recently the 2026 Impact Award, has been a significant milestone, what matters most to me is the growth of our clients and the strength of our team.

Seeing our clients progress from early-stage businesses to established, confident entrepreneurs, is incredibly rewarding.

Equally, building a team that is committed, supportive, and aligned with our values is something I am very proud of.

This is reflected in the feedback we receive. Client testimonials and long-term relationships are, for me, the most meaningful measure of success, because they show that the work we do genuinely makes a difference.

➡️ Have any mentors, role models, or other business owners influenced your journey?

One of the earliest influences was a principal I worked for at a language school. He recognised qualities in me that I had not yet fully developed myself - particularly a strong work ethic and a natural business mindset.

He placed a great deal of trust in me, often leaving me responsible for running the business in his absence. That experience played a significant role in building my confidence and shaping my approach to leadership.

He used to say that one day I will own my own business and I used to laugh at it, somehow he knew it way before me.

➡️ Your first ever job?

My very first role (at the age of 15) was as a teaching assistant to a private tutor. However, the first more serious position that had a real impact on my career was working as a Personal Assistant to the principal of a language school in London. That role gave me early exposure to business day-to-day operations and responsibility.

➡️ If you were starting your business again today, what would you do differently?

If I were starting again, I would delegate key responsibilities much earlier in the business journey. In the early stages, it can be difficult to let go; particularly when it comes to areas that feel critical, such as invoicing, credit control, and cash flow.

However, holding onto everything can slow growth. Building the right team and trusting others with those responsibilities earlier would have allowed the business to scale more efficiently.

➡️ Where do you want your business to be in five years' time?

The long-term vision is not just to grow a successful accountancy practice, but to help business owners across Kent and the UK build real, lasting wealth.

This includes supporting clients with tax-efficient structures, property investment strategies, and the use of SPVs and holding companies to protect and grow their assets over time.

It is about moving beyond compliance and helping people turn profit into long-term security and financial freedom.

➡️ What makes your way of doing things different?

We take a more strategic and personal approach than traditional accountancy firms. While compliance is important, we focus on helping clients understand the bigger picture — how their business is structured, where they may be losing money unnecessarily, and how they can build long-term financial security.

We also build long-term relationships with our clients. Many have been with us for years and continue to recommend us through word of mouth, which reflects the trust and support we aim to provide.

➡️ Can you share an example of a customer, project or job that sums up what you do well?

A client has come to us thinking they simply need accounts filed, but after having a consultation with us, reviewing their situation, we identified that their business structure was no longer working efficiently for them. We helped the client restructure how their businesses operates, improved how profits are extracted and created a clearer long-term plan - helping them reduce unnecessary tax and feel far more in control financially. We will continue to file their accounts and have 6 monthly accounts review meetings with the client to monitor their situation and make sure they are getting the best out of their business and their hard work.

➡️ What do customers tend to appreciate most about working with you?

Our reviews from our customers speak for themselves but I think clients appreciate that we are approachable, honest, and genuinely take the time to understand their situation. We explain things clearly, without unnecessary jargon, and focus on practical advice that helps them feel more confident and in control.

Many clients also value the long-term relationship and trust we build. A lot of our work comes through referrals and clients staying with us for many years, which means a great deal to us.

➡️ What is one thing people often misunderstand about your industry or the work you do?

A common misunderstanding is that accountants only deal with year-end accounts and tax returns. In reality, good financial advice can have a significant impact on how a business grows, how much tax is paid, and how secure someone’s future becomes.

A lot of business owners don’t realise how important structure and planning are until problems appear later. Our role is not just to report on the past, but to help clients make better long-term decisions going forward.

➡️ What advice would you give to someone in Kent who is thinking about starting their own business?

Start - but do so with preparation and the right support.

Two key pieces of advice:
First, seek professional guidance early. Choosing the right structure: whether sole trader, partnership, or limited company; and setting up VAT, PAYE, and other fundamentals correctly from the outset will save significant time and cost later.

Second, if possible, transition gradually rather than leaving employment immediately. Building a business alongside stable income can make the process more sustainable and far less stressful.

➡️ What you've learned about yourself?

I have learned that patience is one of my strongest attributes. I am able to explain complex financial matters in different ways until clients fully understand.

In business, clarity is everything. When people understand their numbers and structure, they make better decisions with more confidence.

➡️ Why you chose Kent?

Kent offered the ideal environment to expand the business beyond London while remaining closely connected to it.

It has a strong and growing community of business owners, particularly within construction, property, and trade sectors: areas where we have developed deep expertise.

Opening our Chatham office allowed us to better serve clients locally while continuing to support businesses across the UK.

➡️ What is your favourite place in Kent to grab a coffee, take a break, or find inspiration?

I particularly enjoy spending time along the River Medway. It provides a calm contrast to the pace of running a business and gives me the space to reflect and think more clearly; something that is essential when making strategic decisions.

➡️ Is there anything we haven't asked that you'd love people to know about you or your business?

One thing I’d want people to know is that we genuinely care about the long-term outcome for our clients, not just completing a service.

We’ve built the business around relationships, trust, and helping people feel more confident about their future.

Over the years, many clients have stayed with us as their businesses and lives have evolved, and that means far more to me than quick growth. We’re proud to be a business that people continue to recommend to family, friends, and other business owners.

And if anyone would like to know more about what we do or how we can help, we’re always happy to have a conversation - just get in touch with our team.

You can contact Audrey and the team at Business Help UK Ltd here:

Name: Audrey Jurkoniene
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01708706142
Website: https://bhukgroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-help-uk-group-solutions/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BusinessHelpUKGroup
Instagram: @bhukgroup

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