Many of the students we see are looking at career changes – going in a totally different direction, and often taking on the additional challenge of setting up a business from scratch. For some they are not only moving into a new industry, but also moving away from employment into the less familiar world of being self-employed.
When it comes to practical framing skills our unrivalled Foundation Courses and Bespoke Modular Days offer a wealth of knowledge along with theoretical and practical expertise. We team that with business discussions, creative time at the design desk and unbiased information on suppliers, equipment & machinery. Student feedback tells us just how valuable and important that information is.
But when you are back in your own workshop space, looking at four walls and wondering where to begin, it can feel daunting, and you can start second guessing yourself. You know the main items of equipment you need – but where best to place them, how will every day practicalities impact the layout? That’s where a bit of extra help and support is often extremely welcome.
This was the case when Jo & Alec paid a recent visit to a former student’s new business space.
“We met with the student and their carpenter to discuss the best way to plan out their workshop to maximise the space. In advance of our visit, we took time to create a scale drawing of the room with our initial thoughts. However, nothing beats being present in the space – seeing how the lighting works, visualising working there and moving materials around.
“As you’d expect, our advice and support went beyond the basic – fully explaining why we were making recommendations, such as where frequently used tools and materials should be sited so they are always at hand. In essence we have advised on how to make best use of available space and create optimal workflow from day one.
“We helped draw up a detailed step by step plan of action including important business considerations and legal requirements. We also assisted with research to source some pre-used equipment that will provide value for money in terms of time saved and workflow efficiencies maximised. It was fantastic to see ideas coming together and to be able to visualise the new workspace as the day progressed.
Each of our trainers has the knowledge and experience of having set up their own businesses. We come from different industry backgrounds and work with different framing business models. What we do have in common though, is that each of our businesses has evolved over time – so we can give students the advantage of all those many and varied “lessons learned”. We all know the value of shared conversations with experienced framers and the importance of value for money in creating a workshop space.
Our Bespoke Business Consultation Days are tailored to meet your exact needs and to offer advice and support. We provide this to new starters in the industry, as well as established businesses where a fresh set of eyes can help identify new possibilities for increasing efficiency and profitability.