Grad2Director has been such a wonderful experience both for myself and my business. I am a third year Illustration student at York St John University. Over the last three years of my degree I have developed my passion for capturing animals and the countryside in my artwork into a business consisting of original artworks and completing an array of commissioned pieces, from animal portraits to bespoke wedding stationery, as well as designing an expanding range of stationery, limited edition prints and homeware collections.

I was introduced and invited to join the Grad2Director programme following being awarded a grant through the Sodexo Kickstart scheme I had applied for during the second year of my degree. The programme has been a brilliant way to help me consolidate and grow my current knowledge of everything around business, in particular regarding how to examine your own business structure in order to identify, analyse and evaluate different areas along with their strengths and weaknesses. I found going through this thorough process with John has enabled me to better identify my individual customers and therefore better articulate my business and how I am able to help them with what I can offer as an artist and illustrator. From this I have been able to confidently go away and create targeted value propositions, which have been a great process that continue to strengthen and enhance how I approach, interact and talk to my customers; from either private, commercial or retail areas. 

 I have found the Grad2Director process to be such an enjoyable one, not one that anyone should feel nervous about being involved with, especially if they are not from a business background – like myself. Previously, my only knowledge and experience regarding business has been either first hand from what I have done myself or what I have learnt and picked up through the media. Before I never really thought the business side of running a creative business was something that came naturally to me; however, I have learnt that it does not matter how much knowledge or experience you start with, it is your passion and determination that really counts. Through Grad2Director I have been given the guidance and confidence to submit various applications, write and develop business plans and create and lead pitches. These experiences have led to so many valuable transferable skills I can now take with me as I apply for more wonderful opportunities for myself and my growing business.

 I have felt ever so fortunate to be invited on to this programme, and thoroughly look forward to our 1:1 sessions that introduce me to new ideas, information and ways of thinking that have all hugely helped me take my business to the next level. I am currently focusing on the trade and retail area of my business; I attended my first trade show only in early April which has led to my work and designs being stocked in an array of new stockists across the UK. The Grad2Director programme with their bespoke and tailored mentoring has been invaluable and really aided me to achieve this. I cannot recommend joining Grad2Director enough.