Real name: Mark Price
UKBF user name: England-Villages
Company name: SkyHighPhotographs
Location: Cornwall
Company website: www.skyhighphotographs.co.uk
Company contact: 0845 430 1945
How did you start your business?
Previous to April 29 2007, I was signing on as unemployed in west Cornwall, an area of traditional very high unemployment. I used to work as a garden designer with a friend of mine up until a year or two ago, mostly small scale projects and one or two larger contracts, but with the inclement weather in this part of the country for much of the year, found that it wasn't a sustainable business, especially given the huge number of gardeners operating in each town here on this wafer thin peninsular.
Then last year I took an interest in Kite Aerial Photography (KAP) and along with my interest in landscape photography started to look at further ways of taking photographs from an elevated position. From there on, I started to look at various ways of raising the finance required to buy all the equipment I needed.
It has been very difficult this summer I admit, having started the business quite literally on a shoestring budget, but with perseverance I know I can make it.
What products or services does your business offer?
We offer elevated photography utilising a 50' tall plus, telescopic mast which is very highly portable and takes up a minimal amount of space. The mast itself is extremely stable and can be used upon all kinds of terrain either level or sloping, indoors or out.
On top of the mast sits a full remotely controlled pan and tilt mechanised head unit, upon which sits a high quality Canon digital camera the S3 IS. All the cameras functions are operated from on the ground via the laptop computer. Everything that the camera is seeing from up high, I am seeing on the ground on the laptop viewing screen via specialist software. From the ground I can even use the cameras extraordinarily powerful zoom. The camera itself can be rotated through a full 360 degrees, and can be pointed up and down also.
From this high advantage point I can supply photographs fit for a vast array of applications across many business sectors, the easiest example to give, is highly detailed photographs of houses, perhaps coming up for sale on the market. With the elevated photography, not only can we supply stunning photographs of the house, but too, the surrounding gardens and/or countryside.
The photographs taken can be given immediately to the client on a cd-rom disc. Also, if they would like picture frames of the finished prints, I can supply those too - many years ago having my own picture framing business and still having all the equipment and stock in the garage.
What were the main challenges you faced when setting up your business?
It might sound rather silly coming from a 6'6" tall guy, but crowds is my greatest fear. Some people do not like spiders, or water, or heights, for me it is crowds of people, can't think of anything worse. So overcoming my fear of approaching people directly I would have to say has been one of my greatest challenges.
Also, starting up from near absolute scratch certainly makes the path ahead starting up a new business, that much more daunting. Challenges are fine though, you get used to them, often now, these days I do not try to see them as challenges, that is obstacles - I just do my best to plough right along through anything that represents a problem to me. Usually everything works out ok, sooner or later, just breathe deeply and it'll all be ok.
How would you rate the success you've achieved so far?
Can I pass on this question - not a blinkin fat lot Mark grins, lots of direct debits, mounting bills and hardly any money coming in, in terms of personal fulfillment though, oodles of satisfaction in trying my best.
Why should customers and clients use your services?
It's a very honest business, doesn't cost the earth, in return for their money, every client receives top quality unusual photographs from the most unusual positions. Clients can too, if they wish to control the camera functions on the laptop themselves with my tuition, so that they can be absolutely certain that they get exactly the photographs which they require. We are of course fully covered with public liability insurance and I'm more than happy to travel the country as far as I need to go, to attract more work and cashflow.
The most important endeavour though is helping every client to be 110% totally happy with the service, nothing is too much trouble. No distance too far.
How has UK Business Forums benefited your business?
I really quite enjoy this forum and post at one or two others, having said that, the others have so many rules and regulations that every time one posts, you're afraid that you might be breaking some rule or other. You don't get that on UKBF as far as I can tell. Overall the place is relaxed, informative and fun, and a truly excellent learning environment pervades, where everyone is valued and treated with respect.
Many of us know how stressful it is to be in business. It's great to know that you can come somewhere to post, where other individuals from right across the social spectrum are going through the same trials and tribulations, ups and downs and yet still can make the time to give others the support to any particular question. Brilliant.
What are your plans for the future?
Always wanted more than anything else to work in the field of natural disasters, cannot think of anything better to do. Would love to take up a placement with KIVA.org helping entrepreneurs from developing countries who without the concept of social lending would otherwise find it impossible to set up their own businesses and forms of self employment and/or grassroots enterprise. It's my main driving force inside me, it's what I want to be doing one day more than anything else at all. As long as I've got a tent over my head, what more do I really need? Well, maybe a good Bill Bryson book and a cup of tea.
What are your three tips for business success?
Perseverance, sense of humour plus commit random acts of kindness.
Fancy being the subject of our next UKBF Member Spotlight and gaining some free publicity for your business?
Email us at [email protected] with no more than 100 words outlining why we should pick you. Please note you must be registered with UK Business Forums to take part. To register, click here.
UKBF user name: England-Villages
Company name: SkyHighPhotographs
Location: Cornwall
Company website: www.skyhighphotographs.co.uk
Company contact: 0845 430 1945
How did you start your business?
Previous to April 29 2007, I was signing on as unemployed in west Cornwall, an area of traditional very high unemployment. I used to work as a garden designer with a friend of mine up until a year or two ago, mostly small scale projects and one or two larger contracts, but with the inclement weather in this part of the country for much of the year, found that it wasn't a sustainable business, especially given the huge number of gardeners operating in each town here on this wafer thin peninsular.
Then last year I took an interest in Kite Aerial Photography (KAP) and along with my interest in landscape photography started to look at further ways of taking photographs from an elevated position. From there on, I started to look at various ways of raising the finance required to buy all the equipment I needed.
It has been very difficult this summer I admit, having started the business quite literally on a shoestring budget, but with perseverance I know I can make it.
What products or services does your business offer?
We offer elevated photography utilising a 50' tall plus, telescopic mast which is very highly portable and takes up a minimal amount of space. The mast itself is extremely stable and can be used upon all kinds of terrain either level or sloping, indoors or out.
On top of the mast sits a full remotely controlled pan and tilt mechanised head unit, upon which sits a high quality Canon digital camera the S3 IS. All the cameras functions are operated from on the ground via the laptop computer. Everything that the camera is seeing from up high, I am seeing on the ground on the laptop viewing screen via specialist software. From the ground I can even use the cameras extraordinarily powerful zoom. The camera itself can be rotated through a full 360 degrees, and can be pointed up and down also.
From this high advantage point I can supply photographs fit for a vast array of applications across many business sectors, the easiest example to give, is highly detailed photographs of houses, perhaps coming up for sale on the market. With the elevated photography, not only can we supply stunning photographs of the house, but too, the surrounding gardens and/or countryside.
The photographs taken can be given immediately to the client on a cd-rom disc. Also, if they would like picture frames of the finished prints, I can supply those too - many years ago having my own picture framing business and still having all the equipment and stock in the garage.
What were the main challenges you faced when setting up your business?
It might sound rather silly coming from a 6'6" tall guy, but crowds is my greatest fear. Some people do not like spiders, or water, or heights, for me it is crowds of people, can't think of anything worse. So overcoming my fear of approaching people directly I would have to say has been one of my greatest challenges.
Also, starting up from near absolute scratch certainly makes the path ahead starting up a new business, that much more daunting. Challenges are fine though, you get used to them, often now, these days I do not try to see them as challenges, that is obstacles - I just do my best to plough right along through anything that represents a problem to me. Usually everything works out ok, sooner or later, just breathe deeply and it'll all be ok.
How would you rate the success you've achieved so far?
Can I pass on this question - not a blinkin fat lot Mark grins, lots of direct debits, mounting bills and hardly any money coming in, in terms of personal fulfillment though, oodles of satisfaction in trying my best.
Why should customers and clients use your services?
It's a very honest business, doesn't cost the earth, in return for their money, every client receives top quality unusual photographs from the most unusual positions. Clients can too, if they wish to control the camera functions on the laptop themselves with my tuition, so that they can be absolutely certain that they get exactly the photographs which they require. We are of course fully covered with public liability insurance and I'm more than happy to travel the country as far as I need to go, to attract more work and cashflow.
The most important endeavour though is helping every client to be 110% totally happy with the service, nothing is too much trouble. No distance too far.
How has UK Business Forums benefited your business?
I really quite enjoy this forum and post at one or two others, having said that, the others have so many rules and regulations that every time one posts, you're afraid that you might be breaking some rule or other. You don't get that on UKBF as far as I can tell. Overall the place is relaxed, informative and fun, and a truly excellent learning environment pervades, where everyone is valued and treated with respect.
Many of us know how stressful it is to be in business. It's great to know that you can come somewhere to post, where other individuals from right across the social spectrum are going through the same trials and tribulations, ups and downs and yet still can make the time to give others the support to any particular question. Brilliant.
What are your plans for the future?
Always wanted more than anything else to work in the field of natural disasters, cannot think of anything better to do. Would love to take up a placement with KIVA.org helping entrepreneurs from developing countries who without the concept of social lending would otherwise find it impossible to set up their own businesses and forms of self employment and/or grassroots enterprise. It's my main driving force inside me, it's what I want to be doing one day more than anything else at all. As long as I've got a tent over my head, what more do I really need? Well, maybe a good Bill Bryson book and a cup of tea.
What are your three tips for business success?
Perseverance, sense of humour plus commit random acts of kindness.
Fancy being the subject of our next UKBF Member Spotlight and gaining some free publicity for your business?
Email us at [email protected] with no more than 100 words outlining why we should pick you. Please note you must be registered with UK Business Forums to take part. To register, click here.
