Student and graduate enterprise
Graduates hatch a plan for success
Company
a dozen eggs
Loughborough graduate
Joanne Lloyd
Frances Collins
Joanne Lloyd and Frances Collins had both dreamed of starting up their own design business but it wasn’t until they worked together on a final-year project that the dream began to look like a possibility. Both students graduated in 2010 with 1st class honours degrees in Graphic Communication.
“We both wanted the challenge of being responsible for the whole design process and, as we worked well together, we didn’t think there was much to lose. We worked on a few live briefs, and felt we complimented each other well, so we spent the summer after we graduated raising some funds, learning about business, and writing a business plan,’’ said Joanne.
A dozen eggs was formed in February 2011 after a six-month pilot phase.
The company now provides creative original and successful brand solutions and advertising campaigns to help new products and businesses get off the ground, and existing businesses take on a new life.
The fledgling firm received support from the University’s Student Enterprise programme. Joanne explained: “A dozen eggs came second in the University’s Business Plan Awards 2010, as well as winning a Creative Leicestershire Bursary which gave us much-needed funds to buy the equipment we needed.
“We are currently on the Enterprise Inc scheme – learning some very valuable information about business, and we are also member of the Studio – the University’s incubation unit supporting graduate enterprise. The support has been brilliant.’’
Their advice
“Seek advice from those around you (ask the silly questions!). Find out all you think you need to know about business so that you feel at least slightly confident – and then go for it!’’