Framing the Future: How Blackpool Growth Business Academy Helped Launch Cooper Creative

“Working with the academy has been an absolute no brainer.” Says Rob Cooper, who’s used its support to help launch his photography business. 

Rob Cooper hadn’t planned to launch his own business. Then life happened, and he found himself as a full-time single dad – something that wasn’t exactly compatible with his previous career in finance.

For Rob, it was time to take stock and reframe his career in a way that worked with his other commitments. Always creatively minded and an enthusiastic photographer, Rob wanted to explore the potential of making his hobby a career. He knew he could deliver on the photography front, but as he puts it, “I could be the best photographer on the planet, but if no one knows about me, or if I'm not pushing my services, it doesn't matter how good I am; no one will find me.”

The journey to launch

Rob met the Blackpool Growth Business Academy’s Nikki Hesford, who explained the academy’s  role. Crucial for Rob, given that he was launching a business from scratch, was the fully-funded support from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Since signing up in May 2024, Rob has benefited from planning sessions with academy advisors and workshops to help him prepare for launch.

“One of the main challenges for anyone starting a business is generating leads,” he says. “Until I had these conversations, I didn't really know where to start or what to do. I guess I was kind of relying on hope marketing – sitting back and hoping people would come to me. Of course, that's not real life.

“I got advice about marketing and lead generation, about fine tuning the website (Cooper Creative) and my Google page and how to tailor my approach to the leads I wanted to generate.”

Building a network

For Rob, one of the most positive outcomes of his experience with Blackpool Growth Business Academy is the network he’s developed. “I've done quite a bit of business with the people in my academy network and I’ve been referred to clients by a couple of the coaches.”

Another benefit is developing his business offering. “I specialise in B2B commercial photography – so portrait profiles, product shots (especially food and fitness) – but pretty much every job I was doing, I got asked, ‘do you do video as well’?

“So in the past six months, I've developed that side of the business too, with advice from the academy advisors, because video is so versatile – perhaps even more than photography. Whether it’s social snippets or longer form content, every business can benefit from video.”

An upward trajectory

Now closing in on his first full year of trading, Rob can see the clear benefit of working with Nikki and the academy team. “I won’t pretend there haven’t been a few bumps in the road,” he says, “but it’s definitely been an upward trajectory overall – and parts of this first year have been really great. So yes, definitely positive.”

Blackpool Growth Business Academy? Why would you not?

Rob’s clear about the importance of any growing business seeking support, especially when that support comes fully funded.

“Don't try to do it on your own because you're just going to be shooting in the dark and hoping for the best. Which is probably what I would have been doing if I hadn't sought help. Working with the academy has been an absolute no brainer. Be a sponge. Absorb as much knowledge and advice as you possibly can. When you start a business you have more time than money, so use the time wisely. Why would you not?”

To access fully-funded support, talk to Blackpool Growth Business Academy.

Find out more here or call 01253 478660