“The Shropshire Growth Hub has been a tremendous help and fundamental to the development of my business. I feel very privileged to have had all the support they have given me.”
About
Stavros Kokkinos spent nearly 25 years working in the education sector, culminating in his role as musical director at Concord College, just outside Shrewsbury.
But Stavros – who admits he loved every moment of his time in the classroom – always wanted to start his own business. As he says himself: “I never imagined retiring as a teacher.”
So, in September 2023 he finally took the plunge and launched Opus Media Productions from his base in Condover, near Shrewsbury.
He had built a recording studio prior to the pandemic and thought that his experience and skills in music production, videography and podcasting could be the basis for a successful business.
Opus Media Productions is now going from strength to strength, offering videos, podcasts, live streaming, studio recording, mixing and mastering and location recording, as well as event PA and lighting.
How the Growth Hub helped
Stavros says the help and support he received from the Shropshire Growth Hub has been instrumental in the business enjoying a successful first year.
He has subscribed to the growth hub’s newsletter – something he strongly recommends all businesses and start-ups to do – and signed up for the Shropshire Start Up Programme to help get his business off the ground.
“The eight-week module, which was run by Bridgnorth-based Good 2 Great, was absolutely free and hugely insightful. I then took part in the Business Boost 360 programme and received another six hours of fully-funded business support.
“I had a series of expert one-to-one sessions with Jamie Pratt to look at my business planning and moving things forward with the business, which were really beneficial.
“I’ve also had support with my digital marketing from the wonderful Kim Gilmour as well as attending around half a dozen workshops, seminars and events throughout the year. These included a digital summit at Shrewsbury Town’s stadium with lots of speakers looking at the digital and AI worlds and showing us just what support is available to us.
“Finally, I enjoyed six inspiring sessions with Peter the Speaker all about negotiation, pricing and the entrepreneurial mindset, which were really wonderful.
“The Shropshire Growth Hub has been a tremendous help and fundamental to the development of my business. I feel very privileged to have had all the support they have given me.”
Impact
Stavros says his business would not have made the successful start it has without the support of the growth hub – and it has helped him develop two new collaborations as a result.
“It’s a big step to launch a business and take it to fruition and the help from the Shropshire Growth Hub and the experience of all the people involved has been very important to me.
“I was lucky enough to attend another free workshop with professional voice coach Emma Alston, who showed us how to improve our presentational skills and who was quite wonderful. The day was great and sparked an idea that Emma and I could collaborate together so we are now hatching a plan around the idea.
“I am also working in partnership with Ed Nell from Media Insiders after attending one of his fantastic podcast workshops. We have now decided to partner to offer Ed’s podcast production services and my recording studio as a package, which is very exciting.
“Things are looking good. This first year has been about making contacts and moving my network forward. Now the next year will be about setting my roots a little deeper.”
Future help
Stavros is already considering how he can tap into the growth hub’s unrivalled business support as his business continues to grow.
“In the new year I want to start a podcast which features social enterprise companies across Shropshire and other businesses which benefit the community. I would certainly like to feature Emma Chapman and Anna Sadler from the Shropshire Growth Hub on this podcast to acknowledge the fantastic work they do.
“It is amazing that so much help and support is available here in Shropshire and that so much of it is free. I speak to a lot of other business owners in the county and I know that they all feel the same.
“The advice, support and opportunities are all so well organised, and all their specialists and advisors come so highly recommended, with the experience and knowledge which can help any new business to succeed.”
Stavros said he would also be investigating possible grant funding opportunities to help support the community focus of the new podcast and would continue to take advantage of the growth hub’s expert advice and support.
“If I was giving advice to any other business in the county it would be to make use of the Shropshire Growth Hub. And if you do nothing else, I strongly urge you to sign up to their newsletter to see exactly what help and support they can offer you.”
Business Boost 360 and the Shropshire Start Up programme are funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UKSPF is £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. It aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
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