Blak Ltd. Business Profile
What does your company do?
Originally I started out as a clothing company, producing limited edition t-shirts and hoodies etc. but soon gained a solid reputation for quality graphics and design, and became highly sought after.I always thought that graphic design would be a sideline due to it being a highly competitive and saturated market (with many unskilled designers entering the market after purchasing a copy of Photoshop!) but having produced high quality work to specific briefs for a variety of clients, I soon found I'd built a strong reputation that resulted in many clients returning to get more work done, which is nice.
The clothing is still an ongoing project, releasing only small runs of designs (sometimes one-offs) but I have found this makes the brand more unique and in demand.
I've also been producing paintings and artwork, some for commissions and others will go on sale through a new ecommerce site that I'm setting up.
How is your business differentiated from the competition?
Coming from a street art and extreme sports background, combining this with an extensive design education at a renowned art school, 13 years of professional artwork, along with a passion for all things artistic - Blak Ltd. is a company that prides itself in providing the best quality service and advice to a variety of clients.Another of the main things I've found that my clients like, is that I'm a bit of a night owl, so as well as putting in the hours during the day, I often find myself on the nightshift from about 9 pm 'til 5 in the morning - so if somebody has a rush job on, they can email me the brief before they leave the office at 5, and have it delivered to their inbox when they arrive the next morning!
Many designers look at this as a job, for me, it's a way of life and has been for twenty years!
Why did you differentiate your business like this?
The business developed this way naturally - it was more a matter of seeing what clients wanted, and making sure I was better and more professional than any other designers they have, or could deal with.I do feel that the amount of pride I take in my work, the effort I put in, and the personal relationships I develop with my clients have a huge influence over the company as a whole.
Why did you found a business in this industry?
Having always used my artistic skills as a way to make money through my education and when travelling, it became the natural thing to do.How long did it take you to setup your company?
I returned from travelling in early 2004, and not fancying going into a 9-5 office job (putting all my effort into making money for others) I decided to go into business for myself.After visiting a couple of design events, I contacted the Business Gateway (which is the Scottish version of Business Link) and it went from there. I put together a business plan, set up my company and was officially known as Blak Limited as of December 2004. I did a run of clothing which was in the shops by January 2005 and it felt damn good!
Have you ever looked back since starting your own company?
Not once, although as most business owners will tell you, it's not easy (if it were, everybody would be doing it!) and there are so many times when you are working all the hours you can, yet only just managing to cover your bills, which can be quite disheartening - but now the work is becoming more regular, it's all worth it.What's been the low point of running your own company?
Just the amount of paperwork the government makes you fill in, it's never ending!Best bit so far about running your own company?
Getting my first batch of clothing in my hand, that was a good day, I was grinning from ear to ear - I still get a buzz when I see people wearing my T's and hoodies.Everyday has its high points for me, I live by the saying - If you can do a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life!