Enterpreneur

Exploring your start-up visa options with Kerry Brunn | Podcast

Terviral.id - Confused about your options for staying in the UK after your studies? You're not the only one!

In this episode, Cate Linforth (International Employer Liaison Officer) chats to Kerry Brunn from B-Enterprising all about visas! We discuss the Start-Up visa, how it is different to the Graduate Route Visa, and how you can decide which visa is most appropriate for you.

Kerry manages the Start-Up Visa process from the University's side, and chats to us all about what the process is like, how you can start thinking about your business plan from the beginning of your studies, and some tips for success.

We also discuss briefly the Graduate Route visa, some of the differences between different visa types, and what that means for your options as you think about career planning.

More information on the Graduate Route visa can be found from the International Student Team at: Graduate Route Visa (birmingham.ac.uk)

Beyond Fashion: More amoure (Ma.) the brand

More amoure (Ma.) is a social impact clothing brand founded by medical student Roland Gyamfi.

In today's fast-paced world, the intersection of fashion and social responsibility is becoming increasingly prominent, and consumers seek brands that align with their values.

Ma. rises to the occasion, by blending fashion with a heartfelt commitment to social impact, armed with an ethos of showing “more luv” to one another.
From its humble beginnings to its impactful initiatives, the brand embodies a new era of conscious fashion, where every purchase is a step towards the mission of making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities globally.

At the heart of the brand lies a deep-seated belief in the power of fashion and that it can bring positive changes. Inspired by the giving nature of his grandmother and a desire to continue her legacy of generosity and kindness, Roland embarked on a journey to create a brand that not only combines luxury and streetwear but also makes a tangible difference in the world.

Through the "More Action" campaign, Ma. goes beyond the realm of fashion, tackling issues like period poverty and supporting the homeless in Birmingham.

Roland says about his business: "A medical student running a clothing brand during his 5th year of medical school is not something you hear of very often! I am very grateful to the B-Enterprising team at the University of Birmingham, who supported my dream by giving us a £500 Start-Up fund, which went towards our sample costs for our winter collection. Designing and iterating pieces has quickly become one the most expensive parts of this journey.

To me, Ma. is much more than just a clothing brand. I truly do believe it can become a major movement, inspiring individuals to join the cause and be part of something greater than themselves.

Everything Ma. has done so far, has been organised and completed by myself with the help of friends. I can only imagine what we could achieve as a community if more people came together to simply do good.

The fact that something I envisioned has now become a tangible reality is surreal at times and so incredibly rewarding. The fashion industry is a trillion-pound industry, consider what impact we could make by tapping into only a little bit of that massive pie."

Roland's advice for anyone starting a business? "Start yesterday. Planning can help you greatly when it comes to executing effectively but do not let perfectionism or fear hold you back from starting. I wish I had started sooner and was able to make all the mistakes as soon as possible. Making a costly mistake when your business is worth £10,000, is arguably much better than making the same mistake when your business is worth 1 million pounds. So fail fast, fail often and never give up."

Find out more about the brand and its work at www.moreamoure.com.

Pioneering Birmingham-Based EdTech AI Company Teachify Wins Coveted Theo Paphitis #SBS Award

On Monday, 11th December 2023, Teachify, a pioneering Birmingham-based tech AI company, was bestowed the highly coveted #SBS Small Business Sunday Award by Retail Entrepreneur & TV Dragon Theo Paphitis.

Teachifyuk.com, founded by Ikum Kandola and Frank Crossley, is on a mission to empower teachers and transform the educational landscape. Their AI-powered software streamlines lesson preparation by generating tailored resources, alleviating the administrative burden and enabling educators to dedicate more time to inspiring and educating students.

Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis reposted Teachify’s message to his over 500,000 Twitter and Instagram followers and as a result, they gained over 150 new followers, a 42% increase in website traffic and numerous new business inquiries in just 24 hours. They are also profiled on the #SBS website (www.theopaphitissbs.com) which is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

On winning this award, Ikum Kandola, Founder & Managing Director of Teachify, said: 'Winning this sought-after award truly has provided a massive boost in such a short period of time. Not only that, but having a well-known entrepreneur like Theo take a look at and support our business means a lot. We understand how important teachers are to society and are passionate about reducing their workload by developing and implementing cutting-edge AI software. I look forward to becoming more involved in the network and attending #SBSEvent2024.

Small business champion and Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue Chairman, Theo Paphitis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Teachify every success.”

Anyone looking for a re‐tweet from Theo should tweet on Twitter or do an Instagram post to him about their business on Sunday between 5 PM and 7.30 PM and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are re‐tweeted every Monday at 8 PM and then invited to enter their profile on the new website, attend the annual #SBS networking event and take advantage of the networking opportunities.

Finding a path for International students to thrive | Kritesh Bisht

In this blog we feature University of Birmingham Management graduate Kritesh Bisht who has created a start-up inspired by his own personal experience. Kritesh recently shared a Linkedin post to reflect back on his journey.

Kritesh: Over the past 7 years, I completed my Bachelor’s, started a company, moved to a different country, finished a Master’s, and started another company InStudents. Yet, I never really posted anything on Linkedin about this, until now.

As a textbook introvert and someone who has battled imposter syndrome throughout his life, I never thought I had anything valuable to share.

What changed today then?

I think at some point in our lives we find a cause that is much bigger than us. A cause that gives us purpose. A cause that pushes us to do things that we’d normally not even think about. I am lucky to have found my cause – Education.

Education enabled Kritesh, a boy from a middle-class family in rural India to start a company at the age of 20. It gave him the courage to move to a completely different country to pursue a Masters. Education taught him that he should not wait, but bring the change that he wants to see in the world.

After talking to hundreds of international students and graduates in the past few months who shared experiences that were strikingly similar to mine, I realised that there is a serious need for change.

Before coming to the UK, I had a long chat with an international student who shared his struggle to find his first full-time job. Last year, when I was going through that phase, I could resonate with everything he said. For an international student, it is not just about finding a job, we need to find accommodation, deal with the uncertainty of our visas, figure out how to write a dissertation, work part-time to pay bills, and, on top of that, save money to pay back our education loan. This might not apply to every international student, but the majority of us go through our version of this taxing and mentally exhausting phase.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 is InStudents’ attempt to support international students through this difficult phase and assist them in finding their first full-time job in the UK.

PathFinder is by no means a substitute for universities’ career services. In fact, if you ask me, the university’s careers team is the best resource to find a job. PathFinder intends to build on the brilliant work they do and compliment them.

The idea is to create a cohort system to provide broader, but personalised, support to international students. If you are an international student/graduate in Birmingham (or know someone who is) and are looking for your first job in the UK.

Feel free to apply here to join the pilot cohort (https://lnkd.in/ewJgmq2p). It is absolutely free for all students and recent graduates.

A change is long overdue, and I am excited to see how the PathFinder Project positively affects international students’ experience.

With thanks to Kritesh Bisht
Added by Bob Lee

Birmingham schoolgirl Lara Jeetley interns with UoB start-up Studystash

Lara Jeetley hit the headlines back in 2019 where at the age of 11, she was recognised as a child genius scoring a higher Mensa score than Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein.

Birmingham Mail Sutton Coldfield schoolgirl,11, is brainer than Einstein.

Fast forward 4 years, and Lara has been given the opportunity to work closely with University of Birmingham Computer Science students Ben Ward and Jonathan Graham through an internship project.

The UoB duo have recently built a new AI-powered education startup designed to revolutionise studying - they are also part of the latest cohort of business joining UoB Elevate at The Exchange. Lara reflects on her experience working with StudyStash.

Lara: Hello! I’m Lara, a 14-year-old student, and I recently had the incredible opportunity of a two-week work experience placement with the incredible StudyStash team, an education powered start-up.

It was my first ever internship so I wasn’t sure what to expect but the two weeks were filled with various exciting activities.

Jonathan Graham and Ben Ward (left) founded Studystash

I was introduced to commerce at the age of 6 when I made 50 badges with a badge maker I received at Christmas and sold all of them in a day at school for charity.

I then learned how to use Wix to build a website and blog about My Little Pony at the age of 8 where I would type mini-stories.

I began my first real business venture at the age of 11 selling bookmarks for book readers in the UK of all ages. It began at school - I started designing bookmarks for myself with inspiring quotes to empower and uplift me so every time I opened my book to read, I would be reminded of my strengths.

Soon family members asked if they could buy my motivational bookmarks and urged me to sell them to a wider audience to inspire more people.

Starting a small business was fun. The best part is that you can make sales even when you aren't working (ie asleep or at school), however the most difficult aspect of running a business for me is dealing with customer complaints.

Although there are only a few, it can be quite frustrating to give refunds for damaged items caused by delivery companies when I had packaged them correctly. Also, at 14, I am responsible for every aspect of the sale and I'm not used to being accountable.

One thing I wish I knew before I started an online store was how much tax there was to pay; the second is that you have to reinvest your profits back into the business to buy more stock. I assumed the money would just go straight into my personal bank account.

The biggest takeaway from my experience is the realisation that you don't make sales every day and that if you want many sales, you have to do a lot of marketing such as paying for ads.

During my work experience at StudyStash, I witnessed the magic behind the scenes and got to design, test and code website pages which went live on their platform. I built test features on their front-end and learned enterprise skills by engaging in business meetings.

Being exposed to StudyStash and how they design was a fantastic experience which I will never forget. From day one, I was entrusted with responsibilities to work on crucial aspects such as their AI models and front-end programming, using React, Next.js, Figma and Tailwind.

I was eager to tackle tasks head-on, knowing that my contributions were making a real impact on StudyStash's live website.

I'm super grateful to have spent two weeks with Ben & Jonathan at StudyStash and for taking a chance on me and accepting a 14 year old as an intern, for coaching me and giving me invaluable insights of life as an entrepreneur.

With this experience under my belt, I'm more determined than ever to pursue my dreams and use tech to make a difference in the world.

Written by Lara Jeetley (With thanks to Ben and Jonathan)
Added by Bob Lee

Transforming a passion for design into a poster start-up | Firaas Akbar

Firaas Akbar is a Biomedical Sciences graduate from the University of Birmingham. He started a business called Poster Studio in May 2023 - a venture that creates high quality posters focusing on four distinct categories: cars, streetwear, quotes, and sports.

Firaas: With a strong blend of artistic flair and attention to detail, Poster Studio caters to enthusiasts and individuals who are passionate about these diverse interests.

It creates a haven for individuals who have a passion for cars, streetwear, quotes, and sports. Through meticulous design, premium materials, and a strong online presence, you provide a unique and enriching experience for customers who seek to adorn their spaces with art that reflects their interests and lifestyle.

Poster Studio Cars: celebrate the beauty, power, and elegance of various automobiles. From classic vintage cars to modern supercars, your posters capture the unique essence of each vehicle.

Poster Studio Streetwear: embodies the urban fashion culture with a fusion of style and attitude. These posters highlight iconic streetwear apparel, sneakers, and accessories in visually striking compositions. By blending fashion elements with artistic creativity, you capture the edgy and trendy essence of streetwear culture.

Poster Studio Quotes: combines inspiring, motivational, and thought-provoking quotes with visually appealing design. Each poster is a unique representation of the message it carries, combining typography, colour schemes, and imagery to resonate with people on a personal level.

Poster Studio Sports: captures the energy, passion, and dedication of various sports.

Whether it's soccer, basketball, football, or other athletic pursuits, your posters showcase iconic moments, athletes in action, and the spirit of competition.

How did you come up with your business idea and when did it all start?

Graphic design has always been my passion, and while crafting posters for my own space, a family member commended their exceptional quality, suggesting they could have commercial value. Encouraged by this feedback, I embarked on creating an expanded collection and subsequently established a brand around my poster creations.

Did you receive any support from the B-Enterprising team? If so, how did the support from B-Enterprising help you with your start-up?

I secured an initial funding of £500, which enabled me to acquire a high-quality photo printer and a range of photo paper in different sizes and finishes. This start-up capital has empowered me to handle poster printing in-house, thereby enhancing my profit margins. Additionally, I've been granted the opportunity for mentoring sessions through the B-Enterprising team, an offer that I eagerly intend to utilise.

What are the best aspects of running a business?

Independence and Control. One of the most rewarding aspects is the autonomy and control you have over your business decisions. You shape the direction and strategy, which can be incredibly fulfilling.

Also, passion and creativity. If you're passionate about your business's mission, it becomes a labour of love. You get to express your creativity and ideas in ways that resonate with you.

Learning and Growth. Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning journey. You acquire diverse skills, from management to marketing, that contribute to personal and professional growth.

Finally, flexibility. Depending on the nature of your business, you might have more flexibility in terms of work hours and location, allowing for a better work-life balance.

What are the most challenging aspects of starting up?

The responsibility of decision-making, managing finances, and ensuring the business's success can be stressful and at times seem overwhelming. Business owners often work long hours, especially in the early stages. Balancing work and personal life can become a challenge. For me it's also a challenge to consider regulations and compliance. Navigating legal requirements, regulations, and compliance can be complex and time-consuming.

Name one thing you wish you knew before you started your business venture.

In hindsight, I realise the value of creating a comprehensive future before launching my business. Initially, I began with a compact portfolio of posters and dedicated considerable effort to perfecting the website. However, I now recognise the wisdom in focusing on expanding my product range to include a diverse array of offerings.

What has been the biggest takeaway from your experience?

Effective marketing plays a pivotal role in any business. While aesthetics hold significance, it's crucial to shift focus onto the quality of products. Strong products have inherent selling power, even if marketing is less polished. On the contrary, exceptional marketing won't salvage subpar products.

The bucket list inspired start-up | Top tips from Buckt founder Daniel Bridgewater

Buckt is the UK's only mystery ticket subscription service. Every month subscribers receive 5 mystery tickets to top attractions and activities in their region. From axe throwing to alpaca walking, rage rooms to restaurants, subscribers receive actual tickets and they can complete all of them at no extra cost.

The business is founded by University of Birmingham alumnus Daniel Bridgewater (Business Management and Communications, 2014) who tells his story in the latest Career Talk podcast.

The business currently has around 8000 subscribers, over 1000 partners and operates in Greater Birmingham, London, Greater Manchester and Liverpool and Merseyside.

In this podcast, Daniel chats to host Bob Lee and gives an honest assessment about life as a CEO and some stella tips to help you develop and grow your own idea. Buckt has come a long way from an idea, part inspired by a relationship break up and a tonic for boredom busting. The business now helps customers find their own bucket list inspired experiences with exciting mystery box activities delivered to their door.

After recently securing investment, the business is on an exciting growth trajectory. Over the coming months, the business will be developing a new app, expanding into 4 new regions (Watch this space!) and dramatically increasing their subscriber numbers.

Visit the Buckt website for more info

Empowering Students: StudyStash's AI-Powered Education Platform

StudyStash delivers an AI-powered web-app which promises to empower students through their GCSE’S, A-Levels and at University. The business is founded by Computer Science finalists Ben Ward and Jonathan Graham.

Ben: StudyStash is the stress free, fun way to revise. We offer a better way to prepare for exams, transforming traditional education into a personalised experience through a user-friendly and seamless user interface across all devices.

At university, I'm part of the outreach team and I mentor mathematics, physics, biology and work with disadvantaged/under-achieving students at Harborne Academy.

I quickly realised the majority of students struggled with motivation, organisation and having the right materials/tools to succeed at school. Being from a technical background studying Computer Science Jonathan and I thought of tools we could build that would be a unified solution to this major learning deficit left after Covid-19.

StudyStash was created by Jonathan and Ben whilst studying at University. We first came across the B-Enterprising team as they offered funding for their 'Ideas Fund'. This immediately caught our attention and from then on, Bob and Kerry have been influential in our success. They've supported us financially, with advice and so much more.

Running your own business comes with some incredible aspects too. My personal favourite is running and having the responsibility of looking after a team of 10. It's great to see everyone working together towards a common goal; to empower students to do well in their exams.

The biggest takeaway from creating StudyStash has been that you shouldn't worry about your age. Being young means people often try to take advantage and they don't realise your full potential.

At University, I'm part of the outreach team and I mentor mathematics, physics, biology and work with disadvantaged/under-achieving students at Harborne Academy. To date, we've generated a huge amount of market interest from Universities, Schools, Trusts, Professional Service Firms, ACA examinations and Charities. We've also built a fully functional web-app, hired 8 interns and had hundreds of sign-ups.

Furthering that, Nicola Gittins and Ana Madan from B-Enterprising have given us a lot of their time and helped us get on the UoB Elevate Incubator program where we won a scholarship for StudyStash.

StudyStash - Overview from StudyStash on Vimeo.

Jonathan and I both became friends at UoB through Comp. Sci and are living together in the Jewellery Quarter. One of the worst things is that sometimes we argue about how things should work, but that's also how we thrive. We're not afraid of saying what we think and that leads to the best solution.

Another great feeling is when we get a lot of market interest and people willing to help our journey without expecting anything in return.

My advice for anyone thinking of starting up? Just jump! What's the worst that's going to happen. Releasing, setting deadlines and just doing it is the best advice we can give to new start-ups.

Often younger entrepreneurs have the most motivation and can have the agility of a new startup. They're also technically able to produce products and services which are so much stronger than full teams and people who tell you that you can't do it!

StudyStash was first created only 4 months ago. Since then, we're in the process of securing 4 large clients ranging from Universities, Charities, Trusts and Schools. We've had market interest from all kinds of industries and have brought 8 other people on the journey with us.

Hitting 60,000+ social media impressions, having a growing user base and growing a community, StudyStash should be a perfect example of what two motivated students can achieve in a short period of time. Please reach out to us if you would like to hear our journey in person or would like to join our growing team.

If you are looking to get help for your own idea, please visit the B-Enterprising website for more information.

With thanks to Ben Ward and Jonathan Graham
Added by Bob Lee

Fusion of Traditions: House of Gillani's Luxury Thobes Blend Eastern Craftsmanship and Western Tailoring

Philosophy, Politics and Economics undergraduate Mr. Syed Gillani is the founder of clothing business House of Gillani.

This luxury clothing brand specializes in creating bespoke thobes, drawing inspiration from the renowned tailoring traditions of Savile Row. The company offers a diverse range of thobes, including ready-to-order options and custom-made designs tailored specifically to customers' measurements and preferences.

A thobe is a long, loose-fitting robe commonly worn in Arab countries, crafted from lightweight fabrics, and often adorned with traditional embroidery or stitching.

Syed: At House of Gillani, we take pride in seamlessly blending the expertise of Eastern cloth weaving with Western sartorial tailoring techniques. Our thobes are meticulously crafted using the finest quality fabrics sourced from the East, while incorporating the precision and attention to detail synonymous with the tailoring practices of Savile Row.

Whether you choose a ready-to-order thobe or opt for our bespoke tailoring service, you can expect the utmost in craftsmanship, quality, and style. Our team of skilled artisans and tailors ensures that each thobe is made to the highest standards, paying careful attention to every stitch and detail. House of Gillani strives to create thobes that exude luxury and elegance while reflecting the individuality and personal style of our discerning clientele.

The idea for House of Gillani originated when I came across a gap in the market for bespoke tailoring in traditional Eastern clothing while working in the space of luxury design.

Utilising my background in sartorial tailoring from one of the oldest suiting houses in the world, I was inspired to merge the principles of British tailoring with the creation of luxury thobes.

I envisioned a house that would combine the craftsmanship and attention to detail seen in classic British suiting with fabrics from the east. Motivated by this vision, I established the House of Gillani. The founding of the company in August 2022 marked the beginning of our journey to offer exquisite, personalized unique thobes to our clientele.

House of Gillani received invaluable support from the B-Enterprising team during our start-up journey. The start-up fund award provided financial assistance that helped us cover the initial costs of setting up our business. This support played a crucial role in establishing a solid foundation for House of Gillani, enabling us to invest in essential resources, materials, and equipment.

With a background in sartorial tailoring from one of the oldest suiting houses in the world, Mr. Gillani was inspired to merge the principles of British tailoring with the creation of luxury thobes. He envisioned a house that would combine the craftsmanship and attention to detail seen in classic British suiting traditions with the rich heritage of Eastern textiles.

This support played a crucial role in establishing a solid foundation for House of Gillani, enabling us to invest in essential resources, materials, and equipment.

Furthermore, the guidance and information provided by the B-Enterprising team have been instrumental in shaping the direction of our business for the future.

Their expertise and insights helped us navigate the complexities of the industry and make informed decisions regarding our strategies, market positioning, and growth plans. Their advice and mentorship provided us with valuable perspectives and helped us refine our business plans going forward.

Best aspects of starting a business:

Creative fulfilment: Being able to bring your unique vision to life and create something that reflects your passion is incredibly fulfilling.

Independence and control: As a business owner, you have the freedom to make decisions and shape the direction of your company, allowing you to implement your ideas and strategies without external limitations.This autonomy allows you to implement your ideas and strategies without external limitations.

Customer satisfaction: Providing customers with bespoke thobes tailored to their preferences and measurements can result in a high level of customer satisfaction. Seeing your customers delighted with their personalized garments is incredibly rewarding.

Greatest challenges running a business:

Operational challenges: Running a business involves managing various operational aspects, such as supply chain, production, and logistics. Balancing these elements can be demanding and requires meticulous attention to detail.

Financial uncertainty: Providing customers with bespoke thobes tailored to their preferences and measurements can result in a high level of customer satisfaction. Seeing your customers delighted with their personalized garments is incredibly rewarding.

Work-life balance: As a business owner, the line between work and personal life can become blurred. The dedication and commitment required to establish and grow a successful business often mean long hours and limited leisure time.

One thing that I wish I knew before starting House of Gillani is the specific challenges and intricacies involved in harmonizing Eastern traditions with Western sartorial sensibilities. While I had a background in sartorial tailoring and recognized the market gap, the process of effectively combining these two distinct traditions presented unforeseen obstacles.

Having an existing understanding of the complexities in sourcing fabrics and adapting them to Western tailoring techniques and ensuring a seamless integration of these elements could have provided valuable insights and allowed for more strategic planning from the outset. However, over time we have gained invaluable experience and expertise, refined our processes and ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

Understanding the complexities in sourcing fabrics and adapting them to Western tailoring techniques and ensuring a seamless integration of these elements could have provided valuable insights and allowed for more strategic planning from the outset. However, over time we have gained invaluable experience and expertise, refined our processes and ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.

The biggest takeaway from our experience at House of Gillani has been the importance of combining tradition with innovation. By merging Eastern cloth expertise with Western sartorial traditions, we have created a unique offering that appeals to our discerning clientele.

This experience has taught us that honouring tradition while embracing innovation is a powerful approach to business. It allows us to preserve the rich heritage while infusing it with a new found precision and sophistication. This balance has been key to our success and has set us apart in the luxury thobe market.

Furthermore, our experience has reinforced the significance of customer-centricity. By offering bespoke tailoring and personalized services, we have created a strong connection with our customers and deliver garments that truly reflect their individuality and style. Understanding and meeting the needs and desires of our customers has been instrumental in building brand loyalty and driving our growth.

Therefore, our biggest takeaway from the House of Gillani's experience is the power of merging tradition with innovation and prioritizing customer satisfaction. By staying true to our roots while embracing modernity, we have been able to establish ourselves as a reputable and distinctive luxury clothing brand.

We have invested significant time and effort in perfecting our craft, sourcing the finest fabrics, and assembling a team of skilled artisans and tailors who share our commitment to quality and excellence. Since our inception, we have grown steadily, gaining recognition for our unique approach and luxurious thobes.

Our commitment to personalized service and attention to detail has garnered a loyal customer base that appreciates the bespoke experience and the distinctive garments we create.

To ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction, we have expanded our offerings beyond ready-to-order thobes to include our bespoke tailoring service.

This allows customers to have thobes tailored specifically to their measurements and preferences, ensuring a perfect fit and a truly personalized garment.

Moreover, we have established strong relationships with our fabric suppliers, both in the East and the West, to maintain a steady supply of premium materials. This enables us to consistently deliver thobes of exceptional quality, reflecting the core values of our company.

Looking forward, our goal is to continue pushing boundaries and innovating within the realm of luxury thobes. We aspire to expand our reach, both locally and globally, and introduce our unique blend of tradition and modernity to a wider audience.

We are proud of our journey and the progress we have made so far, but we remain committed to growth and improvement. House of Gillani is dedicated to providing our customers with exquisite, personalized thobes that embody the intersection of Eastern craftsmanship and Western tailoring, ensuring that each garment is a work of art, made with passion and meticulous attention to detail.

With thanks to Mr Syed Gillani
Added by Bob Lee

The Anime-Inspired Start-up: Weeb Express Takes on Hyper Japan London

Weeb Express is an anime merchandise business, founded in July 2021 by Materials Science Graduate, Heidi Leung. On 21 - 23 July, Weeb Express attended Hyper Japan London - the largest Japanese culture festival in the UK, centred around Japanese cuisine and pop culture such as gaming, anime, manga, music and more!

With the help from the UoB Elevate Start-Up programme, Weeb Express was able to employ two talented University of Birmingham student interns, Ash and Fiona, to support the team with Sales and Marketing during the event.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the staff team and the invaluable support from the student interns, Weeb Express achieved a remarkable result at Hyper Japan.

Over the course of three days, Weeb Express secured more than 300 sales, resulting in an impressive total revenue of £3600. Their social media reached more than 1000 target audiences and gained 20% more followers.

Heidi: Hyper Japan was our very first convention in London and our third convention ever since we started two years ago. I am so glad that everything turned out alright in the end. Despite the train/tube strikes affecting sales, we still managed to make a small profit! London has proven to be a suitable place for Weeb Express, and we're eager to attend more London conventions in the future.

Weeb Express is more than just making money. It's about bringing happiness to anime fans in this country, including myself! I love anime, and it's fulfilling to work for what I enjoy.

Running a convention stall like this enables me to meet wonderful, like-minded anime fans in this country.

I'm also grateful that the Elevate Programme gave me the opportunity to employ Ash and Fiona as student interns. They have been a great help! It was my first time undertaking the hiring responsibilities, including crafting job descriptions, conducting interviews, and maaging the interns. I've learned a lot from it, and I'll use those lessons to make things even better next time!

Ash: During my internship with Weeb Express, I found it interesting to witness and be a part of two distinct aspects to retail: an online aspect, in which I spent time discussing and strategising potential social media campaigns in order to improve customer retention, as well as a physical aspect, in which we sold merchandise at Hyper Japan, a massive festival in celebration of Japanese culture.

I learned the importance of building a loyal customer base- the more people following us means the more people that will have a look at buying from our store.

To this end, together with the rest of the Weeb Express team, we planned and executed said strategies such as collaborating with university societies and anime groups that would be interested in buying from us. They get a discount, we get advertising, a win-win situation.

Above: an example of a promotional voucher we created as part of a collaboration with anime societies

Speaking of which, next came Hyper Japan itself. Weeb Express primarily focuses on selling anime merchandise, and at Hyper Japan we had plenty of customers interested in our stand. The one big difference between regular retail opportunities, and working at a stall at a festival, was the level of presentation that needed to go into the stall. I found that our Ichiban Kuji was a big draw to people at the festival, as it was unique and made customers curious to have a try at our lucky draw.

Fiona: As part of my internship with Weeb Express, I was responsible for the company’s social media advertisement. At first, I wasn’t sure what kind of expectations I should have nor how to go about designing the marketing posts, but was provided with apt assistance such as previous examples and suggestions of design tools such as Canva.

I quickly grew accustomed to utilising graphic design techniques to ensure Weeb Express’ posts looked as professional as possible, and ensured that all captions were formatted uniformly and correctly. I learnt how to track product stock, practised my translation skills and learnt more about how the business generated profit, all while under a relaxed work environment.

The part I enjoyed the most was definitely being able to work at the Hyper Japan convention in-person; it was a remarkable opportunity which I will remember for years to come. It is the largest exhibition celebrating Japanese culture to be held in the UK, hosting thousands of visitors in London!

I enjoyed interacting with various customers and introducing to them our Ichiban Kuji lucky draw as a sales assistant. Selling merchandise was satisfying and rewarding. I was even given the opportunity to browse the convention leisurely during my breaks, which was definitely a big bonus.

All in all, I found working for Weeb Express and learning about its business practices a pleasant and recommendable experience, especially as I have of common interests with Heidi, the owner.

Written by Heidi Leung, Ash and Fiona Zhang.
Added by Bob Lee

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Exploring your start-up visa options with Kerry Brunn | Podcast

Beyond Fashion: More amoure (Ma.) the brand

Pioneering Birmingham-Based EdTech AI Company Teachify Wins Coveted Theo Paphitis #SBS Award

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