WORK
‘THE ETHICAL DIMENSION IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WE WILL PUSH WITH CLIENTS'
Essaeagzt
§ eatsagsss
Dsign
Starting your own company needn’t be a pipe dream. Allan Radcliffe meets a group of designers who have enjoyed real success.
effing up and growing your own business is
increasingly held up by disgruntled.
downtrodden employees as the ultimate career fantasy. While the reality involves more than its fair share of sleepless nights and frantic bean counting. the notion of being your own boss and retaining control over your work can be incredibly appealing.
The development of Glasgow-based design engineering consultancy 4c Design is one of entrepreneurial Scotland‘s more intriguing success stories. A trio of friends — Nick Lonie. Peter Inglis and Robin Smith — who studied design together at Glasgow University and Glasgow School of Art. set up the firm three years ago. The friends had been warned while studying that their university design portfolios would be their last opportunity to express themselves creatively before being submerged in the corporate machine. So they came tip with a vision of a design consultancy with the in-house expertise to take an idea from conception through to commercial manufacture. thus retaining creative freedom while preserving their passion for design.
As business development director Nick Lonie outlines. the firm also aims to encourage a deeper understanding of the wider responsibilities faced by designers. ‘Although the development of our products is very much client and. of course. cost-driven. we always have environmental and other ethical constraints in our minds. In that sense. the ethical dimension and the positive social impact our products have on people‘s lives is always something we will push with clients.’
The company‘s progressive ethos has taken them
102 THE LIST 8- 2? Sol) 9005)
from strength to strength since their first contract. a spin-out from a student award placement. 4c has doubled in size and turnover over the last three years and has won contracts from a number of household names including Hasbro. the UK and Europe’s top toy and games company. The team has also developed a product for drinks company Red Bull. is creating a specially designed outdoor heating terrace for Ferrado and received a £5().()()() SMARTzSCOTLAND award to develop its own product for the maritime industry. a portable device known as the ‘Rope Surgeon‘. ‘We‘re very proactive when it comes to pursuing potential clients. particularly the bigger names.‘ says Nick.
4c received a further boost when it merged with another successful Glasgow company. Mitchell Design. last year. The merged company. which retains the 4c banner. aims to become a European leader as the design house expands into lucrative overseas markets. As Nick [.onie points out. the sky‘s the limit. 'We were finding Mitchell had a strong skills set in terms of engineering. and we would often find that we were quoting up against each other while working together on other projects. Now that we‘ve pooled our resources. there‘s no reason why we can‘t grow the company into one of the UK‘s. if not Europe's. leading product design companies.’
www.4cdesign.co.uk
I The List gratefully acknowledges the suppod of Business Gateway in funding this page.
Business Gateway services are delivered by Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive and local Authorities, with the support of associated partner organisations.
Setting up your own business can be intimidating. It pays to be prepared.
I Work out what you want to achieve by working for yourself You might have a great idea. you might want the freedom that comes with being your own boss or you might want to turn your hobby into a way of making money. Whatever the case. if you keep a clear eye on what you want from your business. you have more chance of achieving it.
I You will have to make sacrifices In the early years you may well have to work long hours. often on your own, and without the safety net of pensions. paid holidays and a wide network of colleagues. Starting up your own business can bring great rewards but. as in any job. you’ll need to work for them.
I If you have a great idea, research Is it really as original and as workable as you think? If it is. great. If you've got competition. you‘ll need to think about how to find a space in the market.
I Get advice Friends and colleagues may well be able to offer help. There is a range of workshops and meetings organised by Business Gateway. Go to bgatewaycom for details.
I Plan the financial side of your operation, whether it’s the first or last thing on your mind You may need to register for VAT. plus how you plan your outgoings and how you plan and predict your cashflow all need to be worked out. I Plan your launch it may well be useful to set a specific date. by which time you will have chosen your company name and structure. as well as choosing your web address and opening a business bank account. if appropriate.
Business Gateway
Business Gateway offer help and advice to anyone who wants to start their own business. A Business Gateway Grant of £1000 is available to those aged between 18 and 30.
See www.bgateway.com/grand. There is an 18-30 Enterprise Show at the SECC on Sat 8 Oct. Call 0141 248 4999 for more information.