Case studies: Creativejus

Creativejus
Lynn MacKenzie
Wellpark Business Centre
120 Sydney St
Glasgow
G31 1JF

Tel: 0141 550 7545

Email: us@creativejus.co.uk

CreativeJus is a Design Consultancy specialising in Graphic design and web design.

Background

Lynn MacKenzie and Michelle MacKenzie, both Graphic Designers with eighteen years experience, started in business after being made redundant at the end of 2001.

Lynn says, "I was made redundant for the third time after Sept 11, and it was this that made me decide to go it alone. Michelle was also made redundant at the same time from the Mirror Group after 12 years working there."

The two are related and decided to team up on a new business using their combined skills, Michelle concentrating on new media and Lynn on print media. They called their company Anonimo, but have since re-branded to CreativeJus.

How networking helped

One of Lynn's friends had started her own business a year previously and had taken her to a Women Into Business Networking meeting. Lynn recalls, "This was the light at the end of my tunnel as it gave me info that we needed to progress our idea."

"We approach Business Gateway and got a Business Advisor who helped us acquire an IT grant. The money helped buy equipment and start us on our way. Also because of our connections through our working years we had made a few contacts so we gained some contracts from these people, which included Buchanan Galleries, Parkhead Forge, GcftBE and La Parmigiana."

Building on success

With the finance from these clients Lynn and Michelle set up business properly and start trading successfully. Along the way they have gained more high profile clients including the prestigious Glasgow Science Centre.

"Our friends and family have been a great support and have backed us 100%." Says Lynn.

Despite their roles as directors of the company Lynn and Michelle recognise that building a successful business means mucking in at every stage. "Our roles out with our design skills include accounts, invoicing, chasing payments, marketing, PR and cleaning!" says Lynn.

Entrepreneurial qualities

And Lynn knows that some of the most important qualities for any entrepreneur are based on personality as much as experience. "Our personal qualities are motivation, honesty, integrity, confidence, focus, discipline and organisation."

"We are encountering new challenges and skills every day. But we still take one day at a time. Anyone can start up a business if there are like us, focussed, determined and happy."

What the future holds

Lynn states that the company's biggest challenge to date has been to move into office accommodation and take on the full responsibility of running a company. She is both philosophical about the future, "We will come up against hurdles but that's life. Bring them on!"

And practical: "Our future plans are simple - keep chasing the work, get paid for our work, be honest and focus on customer care at all times, do a good job whether it's Buchanan Galleries or the smallest company in Scotland all our clients are important."