A flash of inspiration
Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
A CARLISLE camera shop manager has bounced back from redundancy to launch his own business.
Rob Jackson lost his job when national retailer Jessops closed its city centre store last year.
But the 43-year-old, who had worked in the trade for 21 years, refused to lie down and instead launched his own business – Digital Photo Express.
The Fisher Street store offers development and printing of films and digital photographs, a passport photograph service and transfer to DVD of cine film and video tapes.
The shop also sells digital cameras, memory cards, photo and video books, camera and lens accessories, batteries, single use cameras, films, CDs, DVDs and video tapes for camcorders.
Rob was given support in setting up the business by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He described the process of launching a business as “a steep learning curve”.
He added: “The business start-up course came at just the right time for me, it helped me confirm that my idea was sound and that I was the right type of person to set-up in business, the tutors helped greatly answering lots of questions specific to my plans.
“Raising finance was a challenge, but I was introduced to the Small Firm Loans Guarantee Scheme, which helped secure finance for the equipment I needed.”
Rob said the business is already doing well, with the passport service a particular success.
He added: “The method of production is very versatile and we have supplied photos for Indian, Polish, USA and Greek passports. Some parents have even bought enlargements or had keyrings made of their children’s passport photos.”
