Case Study - Brian Leach
Member Name:
Brian LeachCompany Name:
Jam on TopWhen did you start your business?:
January 2008What 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.
What made you want to set up your own business?:
There was a youth club in Keighley called ‘Vizion’ where all the local bands practiced; including the band my son is in. When we heard that Vizion was going to close my wife Tracey came up with the idea of Jam on Top and, knowing there is a thriving music community around Keighley, Bingley and Shipley, we started looking for premises straight away.
What is the biggest problem you have faced?:
We’re on the top floor of the mill and we originally agreed that we wouldn’t use the lift as it would be difficult to control the access to the other, empty floors. However, with the amount of equipment that bands have we soon realised that we did actually need the lift facility. It took a lot of time and money to sort out but now the lift is working and we have fitted key locks in the lift car which de-activates each floor so that nobody can access the rest of the building.
How long were you thinking about starting up?:
Not long at all. It took a few weeks to find Melbourne Mills, which was perfect and had been empty since last summer, but then we had an agonising wait to hear whether the owners and the insurers were happy with us being there. We got approval on the Friday, Vizion closed on the Saturday, and we opening on the Monday. Everyone worked flat out over the weekend, including the bands!
What is your greatest success?:
Our greatest success is that the bands are elated with the acoustics and the atmosphere here at Jam on Top. However, getting this place ready within a week was fantastic – everybody worked so hard.
What is the most important quality you need to work for yourself?:
You have to be in control of everything.
What do you love most about working for yourself?:
It feels like all my dreams have come true. I love the fact that I am doing something I enjoy – to think that bands in the future will have passed through here is amazing.
How has Bradford Kickstart helped you?:
I spoke to Charles Kitchen from Bradford Kickstart three weeks before we opened and Charles came round to our house within a couple of days. He helped us put together a cash flow forecast and business plan using his templates and then put this in front of a panel three days later. It was approved immediately and we have been put in touch with a solicitor, who has helped us with any legal issues, and a book-keeper who is due to start any day. Tracey is in charge of all the finances and the book-keeper will work with her until she knows exactly what she is doing.
What advice would you give other people about setting up a business?:
Do something you enjoy because you’ll be putting in blood, sweat and tears. And do your homework – make sure you are certain it will make money before you start.
Website:
Jam on Top
