Young entrepreneurs go from students to snappers after launching business
Young entrepreneurs go from students to snappers after launching business
Two YOUNG entrepreneurs who gambled their savings to launch a photography business instead of going to university are celebrating moving to a new office.
The two 18-year-olds Ryan Davies and Kieran Birch launched R Davies Photography in Oldham last year, using £17,000 of savings to get the business up and running.
Ryan was at Oldham College planning a career in architecture; after he teamed up with Kieran he had a change of heart about his future. The partners contacted business support agency Blue Orchid for support and advice, and soon their dream became a reality.
Ryan said: “The money I put into the business was savings kept for me by my family. My business partner Kieran Birch also added greatly to the business. We set up our studio on Market Street in Shaw and have now moved into a bigger space on Dowry Street (Oldham). We have secured large amounts of work from being there; including becoming the Earl Dance Centre’s official photographer and a highly established modeling agency is showing interest in our work. We have many retained clients and Blue Orchid have also referred business to us. To think that a year on from A-Levels I would my own business and be expanding is amazing.”
R Davies Photography offers every type of photography, from commercial to aerial with an aim to provide a quality service at an affordable price. Ryan had always planned to go study at university, but his career took a different path after he learned about the opportunities photography offered. He saved up for a DSLR camera and it soon became a passion, with Ryan being offered freelance work by family and friends. Having always wanted to be self-employed and with more jobs coming in, Ryan decided to take the plunge, with the support of his and parents, and after forming an alliance with his new business partner, launched his own firm.
The Partners business journey began after they contacted Blue Orchid for help and advice in May 2009. They met with Blue Orchid management consultant Deena Kearney, who set up an action plan for the business.
Ryan and Kieran said: “Being on the Intensive Start Up Support (ISUS) programme has really helped us to find our feet in the business world. Deena set us achievable goals in our regular meetings. We attended the exploring enterprise and business planning workshops to give us an overall knowledge of starting up. We then attended specialised workshops on marketing and bookkeeping, to strengthen our promotional and financial skills. Deena has been with us every step of the way. Being able to contact someone with a query or question has been a extremely useful tool.”
Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Any extra help and support a fledgling business receives is invaluable, especially as we are all experiencing harsh times financially. The three-year ISUS project is providing significant benefits for citizens and is helping to promote self employment across the Borough in areas where the number of people working for themselves has been low in the past. I would like to congratulate Ryan on the success of his new photography business and I wish him every success in the future.”
R Davies Photography’s support was delivered though the ISUS programme, which is provided by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Oldham Partnership, which is delivered by Blue Orchid in Oldham. ISUS is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicly funded business support designed to help companies start and grow. The programme is funded by the NWDA, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and Oldham Partnership.
For more information about R Davies Photography call 07530154691 or email R.Davies photography@hotmail.co.uk
To find out more about Blue Orchid call 0161 485 4949 or email startup@theblueorchid.co.uk
