Laura Kate Draws

Business Owner(s):  Laura Chapman

 

Name of Business: Laura- Kate Draws

 Website address: http://www.laura-katedraws.co.uk/ Twitter: @laurakatedraws

 

Tell us about your business:  I am an illustrator and am available for collaboration and exhibitions; I will also be able to offer workshops for children and young people, an affordable place for other artists to print as well as offering bespoke print and illustration services. I left university in 2008 gaining a first class degree in graphic arts. I heard about the Enterprise Fellowship Programme and  went to the Centre for Entrepreneurship and at this point I had no knowledge of how to run a business.  This is where I got the support and business advice and a start-up grant which helped me get equipment to start my business.

Who are your customers?  Birmingham Library, the Olympics, Royal Shakespeare Company and illustrations for children

What is the best thing about owning you own business?  Being my own boss and having the flexibility of choosing my own projects to work on.

What is your top business tip?  "Be prepared to work hard!"

Crosby Tea Rooms

Business Owners:  Jenny Larsen and Lucy Williams

Name of Business: The Crosby Tea Rooms

 Website address: http://www.thecrosbytearooms.co.uk  Twitter : @crosbytearooms

 

Tell us about your business?  
I took my first steps to opening a 1940's inspired tea room, after choosing the self-employment option for my summer work placement.
I then joined LJMU’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and used the space and support within the Centre to research my idea and after finishing my degree, immediately joined the Enterprise Fellowship Programme and used the business advice and funding to launch my business in Crosby, North Liverpool.

Who are your customers? Dog walkers, residents of Crosby and Jamie Carragher!

Have you employed anyone since starting up? 6 staff

What is the best thing about owning you own business? Having the ability to change things to meet the customer’s needs

 What is your top business tip?  "Stay focused on customers' needs,  and always remember to take a 'glass half full' approach"

Infinite Promotions

Business Owners:  Jack Rea and Ciaran McConnell

 Name of Business: Infinite Productions

Website address: www.infinitepromotions.co.uk        Twitter: @infinite_promo

 

Tell us about your business: Live professional wrestling promotion company. When we decided to set up a business we approached the Centre for Entrepreneurship at LJMU, this was ideal for us. We started the Enterprise Fellowship Programme which gave us a completely different outlook and the way we thought, this process helped us get our business up and running.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who are your customers? Wrestling fans, families and students

Have you employed anyone since starting up? We hire independent contractors

What is the best thing about owning you own business?  Being able to work from home with flexible hours and gaining job satisfaction.

What is your top business tip? Make sure you do something that you enjoy!

 

 

 

Hack Back CIC

Today's #IFB50* is Anita Morris

Name of Business: Hack Back CIC

Website address: www.hack-back.org.uk   Twitter : @burrowingbolt

Tell us about your business: I started out with a company called Holden Morris Consulting working with birds of prey focussing on leadership and development. I then realised that I wanted to work with birds of prey in a therapeutic setting. The Centre for Entrepreneurship helped me to set up, supported all my work and also supported me in the decision to set up a social enterprise.  

Who are your customers? NHS, Special educational needs schools, care home groups, Bupa and the Merseyside probation trust.

Have you employed anyone since starting up?  We have provided paid and unpaid experience to several LJMU post graduate students that has given them the experience they needed to go on to get wonderful jobs. We also supported them through the job search process. A few examples - Suzannah Moon is now a manager within NHS, Maeve Gallagher is now in Talent Management for a well known brand, Marketa Krzokova is now a Learning and Development manager in a large law firm.

What is the best thing about owning you own business? Having flexibility and you are responsible for your own success

What is your top business tip?  

"Seek help and don’t try and do everything yourself"

 

 

 

Emma Sumner

Todays #IFB50* is Emma Sumner

Website address: www.emmasumner.com    Twitter : @emmasumnerart

Tell us about your business:   Emma Sumner is a freelance artist, writer and curator. I attend the Enterprise Fellowship programme that was run through the Centre for Entrepreneurship at LJMU, this helped me to bring all of the elements of my business together into one clear succinct business plan, which in turn helps me to clearly communicate what and who I am to my customer.

Who are your customers?   art collectors, galleries and arts publications.  

What is the best thing about owning you own business?  Watching it grow and realising that it’s my hard work that has got me this far as well as not having anyone else to take credit for my work

What is your top business tip?  Although it’s imperative to work hard, make sure you give your self-time to breath and don’t expect everything to happen overnight.

Beatbox Agency

Todays #IFB50* is

Business owner: Dash O’Brien
Name of Business: Beatbox Agency

Website address: www.beatboxagency.com Twitter @beatboxagency

 

Tell us about your business:  "I first had my idea of starting a business before going to university.  Whilst I was at LJMU I saw flyers and posters that gave information about the Enterprise Fellowship Programme that was run through the Centre for Entrepreneurship at LJMU. I approached the Centre which led me to attending the EFP programme and by doing this it gave me the stepping stones to starting up my own business. My business Beatbox is providing an integral service to the music and film business with its full range of support including DJ and Live Act Agency, Music Supervision and Consultation, Music Playlists and Branding, Video Filming and Editing and Copywriting and PR."

Who are your customers? Bars, Clubs and North West agencies

What is the best thing about owning your business? Having the freedom to work to the hours you set yourself.

What is your top business tip? Use a trusted accountant!

 

TLC

Today's #IFB50* is

The Touring Local Cinema

Website address: www.thetouringlocalcinema.com

Twitter : @enjoy_tlc

Tell us about your business:   After leaving university I decided to put all of my experience into one company which gave me the opportunity to do something I enjoy. I first met with the Centre for Entrepreneurship team at LJMU, they helped me refine my idea and gave me advice and guidance and prepared me to launch my business. The Touring Local Cinema is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction - we will do everything we can to meet your expectations.

 

Who are your customers? Care homes, local council and community centres

 Have you employed anybody since starting up? Yes, 2 Staff

What is the best thing about owning your business? Having control and doing something that I really care about

What is your top business tip? "If you really care about something don’t hold back"