Andrew Pryde Communications, based in Carlisle is a recently established (January 2021) communications business, owned and ran by seasoned marketeer Andrew Pryde. Andrew’s previous experience includes nearly 20 years in London working across central government departments, the NHS and charity and education sectors.
After having made the decision to return to Cumbria, Andrew identified a clear gap in charity communications and decided to take the opportunity to start his own business focussing on freelance communications, PR, and marketing support specialising primarily in charity, third sector and not for profit organisations.
“I decided to take control and set up for myself. I began by doing some research on starting up in business and found the 3-day business start- up course on the Chamber website and took the first step by booking myself on”. Andrew explained he felt a bit sceptical when he booked on the course “I’ve been in this business for over 20 years, and you go into things like the business course thinking – I know this, do I really need to go to the marketing section? Honestly, all 3 days and the trainers were excellent. It is a fantastic course, well worth the investment of my time.”
“It wasn’t just the trainers and the course itself; it was also the group that made such a difference. Some members of the group didn’t necessarily have as much experience as I had as they were only starting out, but they really had some great business start-up ideas, and they certainly gave me the confidence to think that I really could be successful working for myself. The entire environment was conducive to concentrating our efforts on our own businesses and I am still months later in touch with the other group members.”
Following the 3-day start-up course Andrew began working with adviser Justine Douglas. Andrew described how Justine helped him prepare his business plan, adding that he found the adviser knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and flexible in her approach. “Justine further gave me the confidence that I could do this for myself and reinforced that I needed to do things properly.
“After the 3-day course I certainly felt I had been given the tools to make a start for myself. However, I was keenly aware that many businesses fail because they don’t follow the correct process. Working with Justine ensured I didn’t forget the essential necessary elements of starting up my own business, and that I worked on the basics of my own business as well as the more important elements.”
Within the first month of his business launch Andrew had already landed his first major client. He has a plan and strategy going forward and is already looking at ways to grow and develop his business. “I have every intention of ‘upping my game’ as we come out of lockdown, to start networking and get my name out there. The support I’ve received through the Business Start-Up Support project, from Justine my adviser, Lesley and all the team at the Chamber, and the trainers on the three-day course have made all the difference and I could not recommend them any higher to someone looking to start up in business themselves.”
If you’re thinking of setting up a business but don’t know where to start, get in touch now! Speak to a member of our team on info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk or call us on 0844 257 84 50.
The funding that supports the Growth Hub comes from a range of sources including Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the European Regional Development Fund, Sellafield Ltd., Carlisle City Council, South Lakeland District Council, Penrith Industrial BID and Cumbria LEP. The Growth Hub is receiving up to £2,528,767 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The BSUS project is receiving up to £1,112,686 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information, click here.