Wildwriters

Business Owner: Michael Fowler

Name of Business: The Wild Writers

Website address: www.thewildwriters.co.uk  Twitter : @wildwriters

Tell us about your business: The Wild Writers are a literary arts collective made up of 13 writers based in Liverpool. My business is a social enterprise which helps grass root writers using a DIY approach. When I had this idea I approached the Centre for Entrepreneurship and they helped me get my business together

Who are your customers? North West public

What is the best thing about owning you own business? It gives me a purpose and being able to do something that I want to do

  

What is your top business tip? "Only get involved with things that your are passionate about!"

MgMaStudio

Business Owners:  Matthew Ashton and Mathew Giles

Name of Business: MgMaStudio

Website address: www.mgmastudio.co.uk  Twitter @mgmastudio

Tell us about your business : MgMaStudio Ltd. is a young, creative architecture and design agency, established in Liverpool by Chartered Architects Mathew Giles and Matthew Ashton. We had a business idea and by attending the Enterprise fellowship programme through the Centre for Entrepreneurship at LJMU this crystalized our idea and gave us the motivation and we received ongoing support to establish our business.

Who are your customers? Refurbishment and new builds private sector, residential developers and private individuals

Have you employed anyone since starting up? 3-4 apprentices and freelance developers

What is the best thing about owning you own business? The different challenges that you face on a daily basis

What is your top business tip? "It is important to be able to understand your essential objectives as to why you are in business"

Merseyside Inclusion Network CIC

Business Owner: Lee Donafee

Name of Business: Merseyside Inclusion CIC

 Website address: www.mincic.co.uk Twitter: @min_cic

Tell us about your business:  Merseyside Inclusion Network is an award winning company which provides a flexible and holistic environment in which a young person’s multiple needs can be met. It is a true grass roots engagement model that engages young people at their level and will empower and support to progress positively into the future. I had a business idea and was sign posted to the Centre for Entrepreneurship who gave me support, advice and guidance but above all gave me the tools to get my business off the ground.

 Who are your partners? Merseytravel, Merseyrail Network and National Citizenship Services

 

Have you employed anyone since starting up? 6 casual workers

What is the best thing about owning you own business? "Being your own Boss!"

What is your top business tip? "Go with your gut feeling and take risks!"

Klinked

Business Owners:  Kyle Corfield and Anthony Packwood

Name of Business: Klinked

Website address: www.klinked.co.uk    Twitter: @getklinked

 

Tell us about your business:  After working in the USA and graduating we came together to develop our business, after discovering a gap in the market for local offers that could be downloaded in real time. With the support of LJMU’s Enterprise Fellowship Programme (EFP) the Klinked app is available on iTunes and Android and provides offers for bars, restaurants and shops.  We now have over 100 businesses and 12,000 users.

Who are your customers? Bars, restaurants, hotels, retail, Camp and furnace, Amalia and Hooka

Have you employed anyone since starting up? 6 staff

What is the best thing about owning you own business?  Having the freedom to make your own decisions, not relying on anyone else to provide you with an income and every day is different.

 

What is your top business tip? "Learn by other peoples mistakes"

 

Kayley Cope Photography

Business Owner:Kayley Cope

Name of Business: Kayley Cope Photography

Website address: www.kayleycope.co.uk  Twitter : @kayleycope

Tell us about your business:  It provides photography and digital services for advertisers, e-commerce and fashion. For me it all started when I completed my degree I approached the Centre for Entrepreneurship, I then applied for the EFP, this helped me meet other creatives and got my business up and running.

Who are your customers?  Shop direct amongst others

What is the best thing about owning you own business?  Having the freedom to direct my business where I want it to be

What is your top business tip?  "Do your research!"

 

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"