Member Article

Mother knows best for son's business success

When math teacher Stephen Marsh wanted to set up his own business he turned to the person who he listens to most, his mother.

Janice Marsh, business trainer at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), told her son to visit the start up team at the BIC for help and advice in starting his own game development company, Zero Gravity Studios.

Teaching at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy by day, by night Stephen created and designed a tap based game. Dodge Dem Rocks has already received over 500 downloads from all over the world including Russia, China, America and Australia, Stephen said:

“I have always been a gamer, in fact when I was younger I was regularly told by my mam that if there was a GSCE in playing games I’d receive an A*.

“It all started last summer when I was downloading games and I thought I could actually make this into a profitable business; so I spoke to software developers to get a sense of the costs and after that I decided to just do it myself.

“I bought a new computer, a stack of books and began reading, I self taught myself and for the business side I took on the advice from my mam and made an appointment with the BIC.

“I met with business adviser Margaret Cook who signed me up to the Ready for Business programme and I’ve not looked back since. It feels bizarre that people are playing my game not just in the UK but across the world.”

Ready for Business, the investment ready start-up programme that supports new enterprises across the UK, has delivered more than 2,500 new jobs nationwide since its launch in 2012. The programme is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and Barclays and is delivered by the Cavendish Consortium, a partnership between some of England’s leading enterprise agencies together with the National Enterprise Network.

Janice said: “I think it is great, it all came about because Stephen had an idea for a game and once he researched the costs decided they were so expensive he may as well teach himself…and he did. I am very proud.” Stephen, who is now working on a turn based game, added: “The help from the BIC has been great. I see the business as a hobby and a passion and I get a real kick out of people playing it…especially my mam who frantically taps away I have to keep telling her to calm down.”

If you think self employment is for you and are interested in becoming your own boss then please contact the start up team today on 0191 516 6149 or email businesssupport@ne-bic.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Spence .