Member Article

Start-up Loans: the case studies

Jason Brown and Michael Evans of Wireside Productions take us through their Start-up Loan experience.

Wireside Productions was established unofficially early in 2011. It was a decision made whilst we (Michael Evans + Jason Brown) were still at University in Surrey, having just made our first music video for a small band called ‘The Back Up Plan’. The idea to have a company name originally was for no other reason other than to have a something under which we could represent our productions that we made outside of University.

Summer 2012 is when things really changed for us. Wireside Productions suddenly turned from a ‘name’ to real company idea, whilst we were in Los Angeles, California. We were only out in LA on a three-month internship at Dick Clark Productions (Golden Globes, American Music Awards) but also saw this as an immense opportunity to break into the fast moving music video industry on the side, with the chance to begin building Wireside Productions into a reputable and high profile company. Hitting the ground running as soon as we arrived, we were meeting with big name music video directors within two weeks, and in the third week, we met with hip-hop artist Hopsin, who gave us an opportunity to expose and showcase Wireside Productions to millions of people, by filming the music video for the latest installment of his Ill Mind series, ‘Ill Mind Of Hopsin 5’. The video has gone on to receive over twenty two million views on YouTube, and also opened many doors for us, with us being invited to work on high profile music videos with the likes of; Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, French Montana and Andy Grammar.

Whilst we were still in LA, between working at Dick Clark and on music video sets, we began to piece together a business plan for Wireside Productions. When we landed back in the UK, we got to work straight away, trying to figure out where we could access funding or investment to get the company on its feet. We were pointed in the direction of ‘Manchester Chamber Of Commerce’ who explained the Start Up Loan Scheme to us, and gave us some direction as to where to begin. After working closely with Blue Orchid, who helped us boost our business plan to a more professional level as well as sending us on various business workshops, we applied to Start Up Loans for £5,000 which was going to help kick start Wireside Productions, with a brand new website, logo, marketing plan and finances to keep the company afloat for twelve months.

Since receiving our loan, we have had a real boost in work and publicity. With there being very limited options when it comes to funding, the Start Up Loan has given us a real opportunity to start and grow our own business, something that young people will now have the opportunity to do. Fresh businesses implement new ideas into the market and also job opportunities, something that we are looking to try and work on if we have a successful first year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Start-Up Loans .