Member Article

Entrepreneur set to expand Northumberland design firm

Northumberland entrepreneur James Richardson is set to expand his design firm, Interior DNA Ltd, after an influx of new clients and design projects.

After acquiring further office space at his base in Hoults Yard, Newcastle, James will hire a new employee to assist with design projects and website management.

The company has developed a range of international clients following its launch this year and is set to continue growing with the help of further office space and employees.

Utilising a business plan developed in partnership with local enterprise agency Pinetree, Interior DNA was awarded a startup loan of £4,950, which was invested into the company website and IT system.

Pinetree, based in Birtley, provided James with six free hour-long business development sessions with a personal business adviser to support the new business and help in his bid for finance.

James, who graduated from Newcastle University in 2008 with a degree in architecture, developed his experience leading design projects at a local Commercial Interior Design House before starting his own business at the start of 2015.

James said: “The first six months of business have exceeded my expectations and I am now looking forward to expanding much sooner than originally planned.

“I always wanted my own business but I never felt it was the right time. This year I noticed that the design market was picking up and for the first time since the recession I felt confident in my decision to leave my job and start my own company.

“Pinetree were very helpful and I feel that the assistance from my personal business adviser has certainly been a catalyst in the success of Interior DNA.”

Pardeen Wright, loan fund coordinator at Pinetree said: “James was a fantastic candidate for us thanks to his expertise in his chosen field and his ambition to create a successful business.

“It was apparent to us that he hoped to provide jobs for people in the North East, so we were very pleased to hear that after only six months he has begun expanding.”

Since 1991, Pinetree, which is based at the Pinetree Centre in Birtley, has been helping a range of clients offering loans of up to £25,000.

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