LAURA BLACKBURN

For this month’s delve into the entrepreneurial stories behind South Yorkshire businesses, unLTD caught up with Laura Blackburn, founder of 2D animation studio B Animated, to discuss what inspired her to take the plunge in setting up her own company.

Could you tell us a bit about the background to setting up the business?

Following on from Graduating with a graphic design degree in 2009, I went on to work for a publishing company, working on adverts and laying out magazines. They created their own marketing department, so we started working with clients doing marketing materials, logos, posters, brochuresthose sorts of things. Then they created a video department so I got asked to help out on some motion graphics. This was around 2012-2013, and I didn’t know too much about animation at the time. So, I essentially taught myself.

You clearly took to it well?

Yes, it quickly went from helping out with a couple of moving images to working on animations. That became a service that they offered and still offer now.

Was there a specific moment where you remember deciding you were going to set up your own business?

It was more of a case of me realising I could do this myself, I saw there was an opportunity to build a business out of my skill set and just wanting to give it a bash. I started looking for a job, emailing a few of agencies which I really wanted to work for. A lot of these I now work in partnership with, which is something I would have never imagined a few years ago.

I started putting my business around; a lot of people wanted animations and I ended up realising the potential in it.

Was it daunting setting up your own business?

I didn’t know much about it at that point, as I’d always been an employee. I didn’t really know what I was signing myself up for, but I set up as a limited company for my first 6 month contract. I could see there was some potential and knew I was capable. I took an office at the Digital Media Centre. I started collaborating with a lot of people from the DMC and a lot of business after that came through word of mouth. It all just progressed from there really.

Current clients include Barnsley Council, Science in Sport PLC and Amco Giffen. I work with a wide range of companies in the private and public sector.

What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about starting their own business but is potentially a bit unsure or lacking the confidence to do so?

I suppose it’s the classic ‘if you don’t try, you’ll never know’ advice. I jumped off the top diving board, didn’t really know what to expect. I knew if it didn’t work out, I’d have to get another job. But yeah, you don’t know until you give it a go. www.banimated.co.uk

About B Animated

Our mission is simple; to use our expertise in animation to help clients get the best results.

We work on a wide range of projects - in both the public and private sectors - creating eyecatching, on-screen animated content to promote businesses, services and products.

When it comes to design and animation, we appreciate that every client is different, but what never changes is our personalised approach.

ROLE: PARTNER RELATIONS MANAGER

Why motivated you to get involved in the SIBI Ambassador group? Since being part of See It Be It, I’ve been really aware of how much more engaged I would have been if Id had the same experiences. I want to promote See It Be It and get more people and businesses involved – it’s great for everyone!

What have you enjoyed most about being involved in the campaign? Meeting the young people. They are switched on and generally more grown-up than those of us in our 40s. Don’t listen to the media; young people today can be as inspiring to you as you can be to them.

What are the benefits to your business/employer?

These are the people our businesses will be employing in a few years’ time. Knowing their thoughts and passions helps you create an environment that will attract talent. Beyond that, SIBI has allowed us to meet other businesses in a range of sectors that don’t necessarily engage in regular networking events. Most of all though, it’s been a lot of fun and very varied.

Sheffield City Council’s See it Be it in Sheffield campaign aims to inspire the next generation by linking up schools and colleges with local employers to provide meaningful encounters and experiences of the workplace. You can find more information at sheffield.startprofile.com/page/ seeitbeit-employers or by following @ SeeItBeIt_Sheff on Twitter.

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