Member Article

December’s North East spotlight series: Amy Jackson

Amy Jackson, Director at Newcastle-based design firm Unwritten Creative, is the latest North East personality to feature in our December series.

Enjoy!

Your business

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

The massive growth of our business. We’re only 20 months old, but we’ve already tripled in size and turnover and we’ve moved into fantastic new studio space in the centre of Newcastle. We’re also massively proud of the team we’ve built up. We have been really cautious when choosing staff. It goes without saying that we want them to be experts in their field, but they also have to be really nice people to work with too.

As a busy, growing team each one of us plays a vital role, the right fit is important for everyone. We’re thrilled at the dedication shown on a daily basis, they go above and beyond for our clients and for us.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

There are things we wouldn’t have done with hindsight, but on reflection I’m glad we did them. Any mistake we’ve made along the way as a business, we’ve learned from to take us forward into 2016 in a stronger position than ever.

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing next year?

We’re expecting to be involved in the design and planning for some very big, very exciting exhibition projects, both nationally and internationally. We’re also due to work on a big charity branding project.

Our buyer persona work is also a huge area of expansion for us. Our whole ethos as a branding agency is to start with what the buyer wants and needs. The first thing we do for any client is to create a set of buyer personas. We look at who their typical buyer is, giving an overview of everything from typical gender, buying habits, education, issues, influences and aims, and anything that might put them off doing business with a particular company. We even given them a name. That way, when our designers get to work on a project, they can picture exactly who they are aiming to appeal to.

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

I’m always fascinated by the stories behind a business, how they got off the ground and how they beat the statistics, just like us, to grow rather than fold. Tony Cleary, who founded Lanchester Wines, impressed us when he spoke at an Entrepreneurs’ Forum event. He has exactly the same philosophy as us, to hire clever and motivated people and then let them fly.

Alice Blackie, who started Pink Boutique with £90 and now runs a multi-million pound turnover company is also remarkable. She owes her success to her understanding of her customer.

Our own clients also continue to inspire us with their drive to improve not just their bottom line but the region as a whole. We’ve been working with Tyne & Wear Museums to encourage schools to enrich their curriculum with cultural visits, and with Newcastle Gateshead Initiative to boost tourism in the North East.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to destress?

There’s nothing better for de-stressing than going home and having a good bounce on the trampoline in the garden with my five-year-old son Jack!

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow? (*cough* Bdaily *cough* *cough*)

Well, apart from Bdaily, obviously, I follow the Design Council for inspiration and industry news. I also like HubSpot’s Facebook and Twitter feeds as they’re great at picking up quirky and thought-provoking pieces of design and content.

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

I absolutely love my job. Maybe if you ask me in 20 years’ time, I’ll have a different reply for you. But right now, I’ve got the best job and the most brilliant team in the world. Running your own business is all-consuming, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Go travelling because you’ll never get the time back again.

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

We’re so busy at work that the best present for me will be spending time with my little one, watching him open his presents and getting cuddles on Christmas morning.

Thanks Amy, have a lovely Christmas from all of us here at Bdaily.

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