If We Can, You Can

Author:

Stuart Baldridge

Business:

Sprint print

Published:

12/11/2008 11:40:00

My journey started in 2006 when I was 22. The store I was working at closed down, but instead of being laid off we were offered a job with a new store that was to open in its place.

Before the new store opened, we had to clear out all the rubbish that had been left, I was left worth the task of clearing out the old printing room which had a heat press for printing T-shirts. I thought, surely someone would be able to use that.

I asked the boss if I could take it home and he said, “Yes, just get rid of it!” A week later I handed in my notice.

Now I had the heat press I needed somewhere to open a small unit or shop. Not knowing anything about opening shops or indeed running a business, I searched through the local papers and asked the Job Centre if they could point me in the right direction for more advice.

They put me in touch with SES (Social Enterprise Sunderland), which not only gave me great advice but also gave me all the funding I needed to buy more stock and a new CAD (Computer Aided Design) machine that prints T-shirts for hen nights etc.

They also helped me to build a business plan and gain an NVQ in business start-up. So now I could print T-shirts and football kits, it wasn’t long before I was handed the keys to my first shop in Jacky Whites market.

Every day I’m open I’m visited by more customers, asking all different questions. Because my shop was unique I didn’t really know where my business was heading, or indeed what to aim for, I just worked as hard as I could to meet customer demands. You’ve got keep customers happy and constantly give them reasons to come back.

After a short while and a very busy summer, I was approached by Lonsdale Boxing, and they wanted my company to supply all the printing for everything they sell such as team kits and boxing outfits. I was supplying not only to Sunderland, but also for many of their customers around the world. On a few occasions, I even got to print for famous people they sponsor.

After my second summer, I quickly realised that the company wasn’t just somewhere to pick up a wage at the end of the week, this was turning into a really profitable business. It seemed like the idea of putting your own designs onto T-shirts had really got to people.

Hen, stag, and birthday parties would be coming to my shop from all over- Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Manchester, even York University said they’d been looking for somewhere like this with such low prices.

I’m heading for my third summer now and because of the success I’ve had I’m extending my shop to bring in more products like mouse mats, jigsaws, mugs, keyrings, canvas prints and loads more! Which will benefit my business all year round.

Whilst my business is going great, my personal life has really taken a turn for the better. Having a confidence boost like that made me want to learn to drive, and I ended up passing first time! And now I’m buying my first house, but as soon as I’m settled it’ll be back to working hard, maybe even taking my successful business to other parts of the North East which is something I’m looking forward to doing.

If I ever did this again, I would simply work harder and not be so short of confidence. My advice to anyone starting the way I did is, if you start with nothing you can’t fail. Lastly, don’t let people bully you into selling your products cheaper than their value.