Jane began picturenation.co.uk with a lot of hard work.

Jane-Louise Green began her own business with nothing little than an idea and a willingness to succeed. She is now the creative director of the thriving online website, picturenation.co.uk. Read about how she did it with the help of grants and awards.

Having no money could be seen as a serious set back to starting up a business. But if I can do it – anyone can. I’m in my forties, no savings, a mortgage, child, no child support, no rich aunties and no lottery win.

Options

If you have a good idea and are prepared to work hard there are always options, I’m convinced. Get a partner who can bring skills and revenue to your business. Investigate grants and bursaries. There are always business angles. You have to be realistic and accept that you’re going to have to give up a share of your business to investors. But a smaller piece of a big pie is better than no pie at all.

My business is website www.picturenation.co.uk. I can’t build websites but I can write them and know all about website optimization and how to make a website appeal to users. So I teamed up with someone who knew how to build my site and we are both shareholders.

Bursaries and grants

I also knew that my local area had money to give away in bursaries and grants. I did my research, got an exciting business plan together and applied for grants with the Business Innovation Centre in Stafford.

At the time my postcode was eligible for this money and I was successful in my application. It helped towards legal costs in setting up the business. I also applied for a bursary with Staffordshire University’s HE Full Circle scheme and after a Dragon’s Den type session, won that too, and was able to buy equipment for my start-up.

Then I applied for and was given redundancy from my BBC job – which I admit has been a huge help in giving me breathing space whilst I get things going. But the biggest boost was winning an Enterprise Fellowship Award at Staffordshire University, which for several months gave me offices, fax and phone, internet and e-mail, business mentors and up to £12,000 to fund my new business.

It has been a godsend and we have based ourselves in Stoke-on-Trent which is undergoing massive regeneration and attracting lots of new businesses.

Getting the University on side

I knew my business could appeal to the University commercially, so put together a proposal offering them shares in the business in return for a package including large premises and staff. After another, very tough Dragon’s Den session, they accepted and are now shareholders in my company.

The benefits include a two-way working relationship with university departments who help us with, for example, marketing, and use my company as a real case study for their projects. My first employees are graduates from the university, who are doing a great job, and I need more staff already. It’s a win/win situation.

Tough start

There’s no getting away from the fact that it isn’t easy. You have to have a great idea and be able to demonstrate your commitment, your skills and experience, and the vision. At the end of the day, people are investing in YOU, not just an idea. And you have to work hard.

Call me mad but I have no social life, drive a battered old car, and still panic when the bills come in. Holidays are just a dream. But I know that there’s no pain without gain – all the clichés come out here – and the gains will be great.