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Tech entrepreneurs aiming to help more students follow in their footsteps

Two Teesside University graduates are hoping to use their experiences of setting up their own film and design company to help other students find their dream job.

Yellow Snow Studio was founded six months ago by BA (Hons) Computer Animation graduates Rob Skene and Mike Lawrence.

Already, the company has taken on a third member of staff, Teesside University computer science student Oliver Perry, for a one year placement as a lead programmer.

Rob and Mike hope to be able to use Yellow Snow to employ more graduates in the future and also use their example to encourage more people to consider setting up their own business.

After graduating in 2011, Mike initially worked in a call centre before Teesside University helped him find a three-month paid internship with Middlesbrough-based 3D computer graphics specialists Animmersion.

The internship reignited his love for animation and, together with Rob, he founded Yellow Snow Studio.

The business produces a range of products including promotional infographic adverts, music videos and animated web series.

Taking on Oliver allows Yellow Snow to handle more technical work such as web design and company re-branding.

The business has now moved into new premises at Teesside University’s start-up units at the Victoria Building on Victoria Road, Middlesbrough.

Mike said: “We are trying to get enough work under our belts to create jobs for those students who are far more talented than us, but weren’t lucky enough to land on their feet after graduation.

“We would like to get to a place where our online presence is strong enough to be able to employ people to create what they enjoy creating, before releasing it to a hungry consumer base.

“Everybody so far from the business community has been incredibly supportive. I think everybody remembers how hard it is and how high you have to climb.”

Mike and Rob intend to work alongside Teesside University’s entrepreneurs@tees to help more people set up their own business.

Rob said: “There are some incredibly talented people out there who are just lacking a little bit of self-confidence to sell themselves and we want to show people that it is possible.

“The important things I got from my time at Teesside were facilities, the contacts, the friends, the activities and the life experience of learning to teach myself the things I would need to succeed.

“It’s vital to keep everything in balance, both personal and professional.”

Oliver said he was looking forward to his placement at Yellow Snow as it would give him the chance to apply the skills he has learned at the University in the workplace.

He said: “This will be an excellent opportunity to build my portfolio and get more experience.

“I’m looking forward to setting myself some new targets and learning some new skills.”

Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise at Teesside University, said: “Teesside University has an excellent track record of helping talented graduates set up their own business.

“Yellow Snow is doing fantastic work and we’re delighted that the company is demonstrating its commitment to helping other students fulfil their potential by taking on Oliver for his placement year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Teesside University .