Effective remote working during the Covid-19 global pandemic

 

Matt Wheeler and Sam Taylor University of Leeds Graphic & Communication Design graduates founded madeby.studio in 2019, a creative and digital design studio based in Leeds city centre- with the help of Spark, the University’s business start up support team.

Under lockdown we hear how Matt and Sam made the change to working effectively from the comfort of their own homes.

About madeby.studio

We became good friends during a final year brief for our degree, Graphic & Communication Design at the University of Leeds. With joint aspirations of combining digital design practice with strong business values, madeby.studio was born.

We now collaborate in a range of sectors from healthcare to construction, delivering progressive digital design solutions to help businesses thrive on an international scale.

Help from Spark

With the help from the University’s Spark team, we’ve been able to access business mentors, funding and facilities which have given us an incredible platform to build on. Spark has given us a great pool of contacts, from direct mentors to everyday friendships, which have been pivotal in the start-up phase of the business.

How I started my own business: WayWest Design

This week, Jack, a New Media graduate talks about his experience of setting up his own business, WayWest Design – he explains how the Enterprise opportunities at the University have helped him throughout his entrepreneurial journey and what benefits this experience has brought him. If you’re interested in starting your own business, read on and don’t forget to check out the Leeds University Start up Service page on our website for more information.

About my business:

I’m Jack Weston, founding Director at WayWest Design. We provide expert services in Web and App Development, Digital Design and Illustration, Photography, Videography, Motion Graphics, SEO Consultancy, Marketing Consultancy & Digital and Marketing Strategy to our worldwide client base. Our purpose is to deliver specialist knowledge in our field as well as maintaining a personal quality for our clients.

WayWest was established whilst I was still studying at the University of Leeds. I have always had passion for design so I began designing logos, graphics and websites for friends and family members free of charge in order to gain experience and add to my portfolio. From there, I was recommended to people and businesses outside of my network, rapidly increasing my profile and has spiraled into the successful business that it is today.

How I started my own digital marketing business

Rebecca Coupe graduated with a BA (Hons) in Theology and Religious Studies in 2011 and has since gone on to set up a successful online marketing business; Infinity Digital.

When it came to applying to University I had absolutely no idea what career I wanted to pursue or what subject to choose to “leave my options open.”  I finally settled on Theology and Religious Studies because I enjoyed the subject at school and hoped the research and communication skills I’d gain would help in my career (luckily I was right!).

Getting into Entrepreneurship

Are you considering starting your own business, but wondering whether it’s definitely for you? In this guest blog Christian Nellemann, CEO of XLN Telecom, explains how he became a successful entrepreneur and how you could too!

If you count being hard-working, persevering, passionate and enthusiastic among your character attributes, as well as having an eye for an opportunity, then you might just have what it takes to not only be your own boss but to strike it rich along the way.

How I got my job: Co-founder of JumpIn

Do you have a business idea? Thinking of starting-up whilst you’re still a student? Sam Ryan is one half of the duo who founded JumpIn. In this blog post he explains why you should make the most of being a student and start-up whilst you’re still studying!

 Barney Williams and Sam Ryan, co-founders of JumpIn, at No.10!

In April 2012, I was sat in a bar in Leeds city centre with Barney Williams. We lived three roads apart in Hyde Park, yet we irrationally decided to take two separate cabs to the same destination. It was from here that we decided to explore the possibility of taxi sharing. 18 months on and we’re now the co-founders of JumpIn, a community focussed taxi booking and sharing mobile app purely for students.

How I got my job: Managing Director of own digital marketing agency

Leeds graduate Aaron Dicks set up a digital marketing agency earlier this year.  Here he provides tips and advice for anyone interested in setting up their own business or who is interested in a career in digital marketing.

My name is Aaron and I am a graduate of Management with Marketing from Leeds University. I left university just over a year ago to join a renewable energy company in Nottingham called EvoEnergy. I’d always had the desire to start my own company, so with some experience under my belt, I finally took the plunge early this year and started a small digital marketing agency called Impression with my colleague.  We started working with small businesses and charities of friends, but since then have grown to service a handful of large national clients.