Case studies

Read some interviews with other Kickstart members.

Case Study - Brian Leach

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Company Name
Jam on Top
What do you do?
We have just launched Jam on Top at Melbourne Mills in Keighley, offering fantastic music practice space to bands. We currently have two fully equipped studios with a third on the way soon, plus a green room and chill out area where our customers can play pool, darts and video games, or watch DVDs and music videos on our 4 metre wide cinema screen. All the PA, drum kits and amps are provided but we have a free area where bands can store their equipment between gigs. There is also a kitchen where musicians can help themselves to tea and biscuits. We only launched six weeks ago and we already have 25 bands practicing each week.
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Case Study - Caroline Brown

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Company Name
The House of Rose & Brown
What do you do?
I have a vintage boutique and gallery at 16 Victoria Road, Saltaire. I also organise related events around the region including the Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair. There are three lined up for this year - 23 February, 5 July and 13 December 2008 at Victoria Hall in Saltaire.
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Case Study - John Henderson

Company Name
Who's Your Neighbour Limited
What do you do?
Who’s Your Neighbour is a local community website with a national framework. The idea behind it is to help members interact with the people living around them and also to offer information about their area. A unique feature is that members can vote for local trades-people. So, for example, if you’re looking for a builder you can see who is the most popular in your area and then email the other members using our internal email to ask them why they recommend that particular person. There is also a ‘Car Boot’ section where you can sell items free of charge, and an ‘Activities Board’ for groups and associations – or just if you wanted to find someone to go jogging with!
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Case Study - Jamie Wardley

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Company Name
Sand in your eye
What do you do?
I make sand and ice sculptures – as pieces of art or for events and special occasions, plus I organise workshops and classes.
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Case Study - Emma Straw

Company Name
Emma Straw
What do you do?
I breathe new life into discarded treasures by designing and creating ‘Unique Vintage Recycled Accessories’. I make handbags, shoulder bags, belts, corsages and jewellery from materials and objects sourced from jumble sales, junk shops, charity shops, car-boot sales – and the contents of old ladies’ sewing boxes that often seem to come my way! I also take commissions and can rework something precious, but no longer used or worn, into something different and desirable. As well as selling at various fairs and outlets, I have just agreed to take over a retail space in Ilkley with fellow enterprise islanders Fran Jordan and Helen Cotterill. It is one of six being converted to sell beautiful accessories and clothes, both handmade and vintage, by independent designers. We hope that it will be ready to open towards the end of November 2007. Helen and I also organise events called ‘Shop Missus Calling!’. We take our quirky 60s themed tea trolley, complete with tea and cakes, to someone’s house, or to a shop or boutique. They invite their friends or customers and we set up shop with our work!
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Case Study - Mark Yates

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Company Name
I trade under my own name.
What do you do?
I create striking and vibrant artwork using reclaimed emulsion paint. The paintings are becoming really popular in bars, salons and offices, as well as with private collectors. All my work is original and I take commissions, but I also turn my work into prints – either onto canvas or Perspex.
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Case Study - Seth Miller

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Company Name
Hedge-Hogs
What do you do?
We are a Bradford-based landscape gardening company who can provide regular maintenance for private and corporate customers – or complete one-off projects such as fencing, tree-surgery or paving.
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Case Study - Julie Black

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Company Name
Ask Julie
What do you do?
I work closely with small businesses setting up systems and processes and helping with recruitment. This in turn builds strong foundations for office administration. I offer help and advice about core business elements which many smaller enterprises may not be experienced with – such as Sage book-keeping, recruitment, petty-cash and mileage logs to name but a few.
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