3 minute read
Start your own business
The Centre for Entrepreneurship is your start up hub, with a team who can help you launch your own business or become a freelancer via our Digital Incubation Hub.
They partner with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Google Digital Garage, Prince’s Trust and NatWest Business Builder offering business skills development sessions such as pitching, digital marketing and start up leadership. n Supporting student
and graduate start-up companies
n Business advice and
start-up activities
n Opportunities to take part
in summer schools, idea days and hackathons
n Vibrant community of
local entrepreneurs and business experts
We are proudly supported by the Bathgate Group. Their support enables us to give grants to student and graduate entrepreneurs through our Bathgate Start-up Fund.
Marketing BA (Hons) graduate Amy Collins tells us how she turned an Instagram trend into a viable business with support from the Centre of Entrepreneurship. Amy is founder of Pin Head UK, offering bespoke custom-designed and wholesale enamel lapel pins.
Three things you like about your job?
–I love to sell face to face. I do local makers markets and last year I was part of the Curated Makers pop up in John Lewis Liverpool. It’s brilliant to see the reaction on people’s faces when they appreciate your designs. What relevant work experience/skills have proved most useful in running a business?
–I have worked many jobs including nine years in HMV where I was a manager. Every single job I’ve had has contributed in some way to my capabilities as a sole trader and entrepreneur. Because I have worked a lot, and know how employable I am, it means that I don’t have a fear of failure. If I have to shut up Pin Head tomorrow it would be sad but I would be able to move onto another project or job. This doesn’t mean I don’t care, it means I can take risks and live with the outcome no matter what.
What help or support did you access from LJMU and how was this useful?
–I have had some great tips and pointers from the Centre for Entrepreneurship, the most important one being; try to keep it simple, it’s easy to get carried away with lots of ideas but being great at one thing is so much better. I graduated with first class honours in Marketing in 2019 and used my own business as the case study for my final project. This really helped me to get a deep understanding of my market position plus the opportunities and the risks of my business. Although I did fail to identify the global pandemic as a threat so a lot of those plans had to be scrapped!
Hear more from Amy on the
Centre For Entrepreneurship Podcast
What’s next for your business?
–I’m really excited for retail businesses post-lockdown. I have some markets that I’ve signed up to plus an exciting stint at a new bar that’s opening in the Baltic area - a mini shipping container ready for me to dress and set up stall. I’m really chuffed for my stockists that have been eagerly awaiting lockdown easing so they can reopen too; Florence and Fox (Crosby); Mersey Made (L1); Childwall Emporium (Childwall); Voglio (Allerton); and Arts Hub 47 (Aigburth). I’m about to print some t-shirts and totes with a brand new local design too which will be a first for me. For latest Pin designs and news, check out:
