Louise Skelton and Alison Jones

When design graduates Louise Skelton and Alison Jones left university they decided they didn’t want to go and work for someone else. So they created their own job opportunity - and graphic design service Attention Design was born.

This is Louise Skelton and Alison Jones’s story…

1. Why did you want to start your own business?

   Flexibility and work/life balance. We were both design graduates and the incubator units provided by Teesside Uni were a major factor in our decision.

2. What was the deciding factor for you?

   We didn’t want to work for someone else, but we realised that we had to create our own opportunities if we were to achieve this. Also, there aren’t many job roles available in the region for graduate designers, so it seemed sensible to make our own way.

3. How did you get the business off the ground?

   We worked really really hard! This is a great building to work in and build contacts, which has enabled to us to secure projects from a wide range of local businesses. We were also able to secure guidance and funding support from a variety of sources, including the Enterprise Team.

4. Best bits about working for yourself?

   We just love what we do. It enables you to choose when you work and who you work with, which is important to us in building up a portfolio of clients that we can build on. It’s all about freedom of choice.

5. What have been the biggest challenges so far?

   Starting up was the biggest challenge, building the confidence to make the first moves and then going out and getting clients on board.

6. What would you have done differently if you could go back?

   I wouldn’t change anything, but we could maybe have done with more training in the skills that you need to run a business. That’s no big deal, however, as we’ve picked things up very quickly.

7. How does it feel to be your own boss?

   Excellent. It really is hugely rewarding and fulfilling. We’re the only people I know who skip to work in the morning.

8. A piece of advice for those thinking about starting up?

   Stick to your decisions on how you will run the business and who you want to work for. Never sell yourself down as the decisions you make in the beginning will dictate how your business develops in the future. Just have confidence in yourself and you will succeed..

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