Photography firm is in the frame for major growth

Commercial photographer Jak Spedding is on course to recruit three employees and generate turnover of £300,000 within four years of starting up, thanks to Boost’s Growth Support programme.

The Great Harwood-based business currently works with advertising and marketing agencies, as well as photographing and videoing products for SME clients. Jak worked as a commercial photographer at several marketing agencies for nine years, before setting up his own company in May 2017.

He uses a number of social media platforms to support marketing and recorded turnover of £36,000 in his first six months of trading. Growth projections indicate that headcount will rise by three new employees and revenue will grow to £300,000 in the next three years.

Jak was introduced to Boost after meeting growth mentor Jaydee Davis, operations manager at Community & Business Partners, at a networking event. Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Jak has benefited from various Boost initiatives including marketing planning and business model workshops. In addition, Jak has taken part in Boost’s Plan, Pitch and Sell workshop; Building your Personal Brand Online session; and masterclass on increasing productivity through marketing and PR. He commented: “Boost has been a great way for me to meet other people in businesses that are in a similar position as mine.

"The programme has provided a great support network and has also been a marvellous networking tool – I have received a significant amount of work as a direct result of taking part.

“I will continue to attend the marketing planning workshops, as well as the Plan, Pitch and Sell sessions to help me to further develop my market presence. I will also carry on putting the relevant systems and processes in place and attend growth networking events going forward.”

County councillor Michael Green, Cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: "The creative sector is an important part of Lancashire's economy, helping other companies to grow their business such as through high-quality photography.

"Boost helps companies to make the next step from having the right skills to get your business up and running, to understanding the skills you need to grow your business and take it to the next level."

Sue Denver from Winning Pitch, who delivered the support, said: “Jak is an ambitious entrepreneur who has invested in state-of-the-art technology and understands the importance of deadlines, budgets, and imagery to reflect brand values, while also delivering a return on investment.”

Sue added: “Marketing is a key area that Jak wants to concentrate on, in terms of finding and winning new customers, together with sales forecasting. He understands that it is essential to have a well-written plan that can give him clear direction for all his marketing activity, including setting goals and positioning his business accordingly. I’m confident he will be a great success.”