Support received from Formation Zone / The Cube
In 2018 I was awarded a £2,000 Santander Graduate Entrepreneur Bursary to start my company. The Cube supported me throughout the start-up of my company and offered me a fantastic range of programmes to help me start and guide me through the process of running a company. These sessions gave me all of the information I needed and set me up for the long term. I am now into the second year of the company and without those sessions, I fear this would have failed. During my time at the Formation Zone within The Cube, I was also delighted to meet other Formation Zone clients who taught me so much about business and other mediums. The Formation Zone clients are some of the best and brightest individuals that the University has to offer and their guidance and experience has given me so much in the form of new friends, colleagues and clients.
In 2020 The Cube awarded me a Santander Springboard Award of £800 to use as a marketing budget for my business. After identifying the causes for low conversion (sales) through my store, I took the advice from the 1:1 sessions with Adam Croney, Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants and was immediately able to act on the issue. Since receiving the Springboard Award I have already seen a notable change in web traffic and sales, with this on the rise week by week. With the help of this grant, the University, Santander and the staff in The Cube, I am starting to see the long-term future and feel that it is finally moving in the right direction.
Advice for budding entrepreneurs
I was told that it’s impossible to make a living from photography. Many people told me this through my studies. Although I concede and admit that it’s not the easiest job in the world, there are ways to do it. Although my company isn’t my salary at this moment, I have no doubt that one day it will be. Believe in your dreams, listen to the advice of your peers, your friends and don’t discredit people based on experience. Be humble, work hard and I have no doubt that things will work out for you.