Member Article

Blackpool startup celebrating a recession-busting first year in business

A North West digital startup is celebrating a recession-busting first year in business, after generating a 20-strong client base.

SNAP Design Studio, of Blackpool, founded in january 2013 by web entrepreneur Phil Storey, and now boasts clients including a London-based theatre producer, a property management company and independent financial advisors.

The full service digital agency was accepted in December by the Recommended Agency Register, an online directory of creative and digital businesses voted outstanding by their own clients. This should help generate more work during 2014.

Phil said: “I started my business in the doom and gloom of the triple-dip recession, where one in five startup businesses fail in their first year, so I’ve had the odds stacked against me. What SNAP Design Studio has achieved in its first year of business is even more remarkable because of that.

“It goes to show that old school business tactics – outstanding customer service for clients and great quality yet value for money work – hasn’t gone out of fashion and in fact has brought in work month after month. I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months brings.”

SNAP offers a full range of digital services, from website design and search engine optimization, to graphic design and social media.

Over the past year Phil has re-launched an estate agent’s website so it now ranks consistently highly on Google, set up a chartered accountancy firm’s social media platforms and rebranded a worldwide-touring musical quartet’s business online.

Phil says his seven days-a-week support to clients sets him apart from his competitors.

Networking has been fundamental to SNAP’s success so far with 35% of turnover attributed to referrals generated by groups such as BNI, 4Networking and SHOUT.

Phil said: “I realised from the outset how important it would be for generating sales, to keep meeting as many business owners and decision makers as often as possible. I once heard the phrase ‘Want more sales? See more people.’ That is so true.

“I joined BNI, early on and that immediately opened me up to a room full of local businesses who were ready to recommend their clients, to me. Alongside this, I continue to network on a regular basis – people buy from people – and this has brought great success in the first year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .