Yasper turned one year old recently, which gave me cause to reflect on the past 12 months. Please forgive me if this blog doesn’t fit the corporate tone – and language – of those that have gone before, but it has been a year like no other.
I hope what follows is a very personal account of the past 12 months. The many, many ups significantly outweighed the downs, and I’ve learnt a lot along the way.
If I can take you back to 20th October 2023… Yasper was due to launch the following Monday. I’d just had an email objecting to my copyright registration of the brand, I was dealing with a client crisis (who had onboarded before official ‘launch day’), and I was sat in a pub in North Yorkshire.
As if enough wasn’t going on professionally, personally we’d just had an email come through confirming the go ahead for our IVF journey, and the posters advertising that the pub catered for weddings had just caught our eye.
Fast-forward 12 (very) short months, and not only has Yasper survived, but thrived. Katie and I were married in January, and baby Leo joined the setup in early September. Remember I said it had been a year like no other?
I often question – and am asked the question – about whether there is space for personal experience on business blogs, but in reality, what goes on in your home life has such a big impact on what goes on at work. And I count myself as very fortunate to have experienced these highs. Becoming a father has been a truly life-changing moment and we’re all looking forward to our first Christmas together in a year of ‘firsts’.
But you all came here for business chat, right? So how has Yasper really done in year one and what knowledge and expertise would I impart to others? Well first of all, I couldn’t be happier with how things have gone with Yasper. I have brilliant clients, am working on some massively impactful projects, and I’m relishing getting up every morning.
I started month one with two fantastic clients, relationships with whom have flourished. Yasper continues to work on briefs for both. Month two saw a completely new challenge in client terms, with a project to help re-shape the narrative and work in an extremely agile way to effect desired outcomes. This work really set the tone for Yasper’s strength, in delivering a blend of two or more services, in a coordinated and savvy way.
Our work on this front saw us using stakeholder engagement and media relations to help address misconceptions, while building a strong narrative. I’ve always been interested in politics, so having a client with a need for engagement at the highest levels during an election year has been a real highlight.
The spring marked a step-change in terms of retainers and saw new clients coming on board necessitating the acceleration of recruitment plans. I genuinely enjoy recruiting, and once I’d sifted out the trained ‘accountants’ applying to be a ‘PR Account Manager’ I was extremely excited to offer Bethany the role. I wanted someone entrepreneurial, who could help us shape the agency. She’s done that, and much more.
So what about the lows? In truth, there really haven’t been that many. The usual gripes that you’ll hear from any agency owner and a few growing pains, which I have tried my best to avoid through putting in place a trusted network of service providers and partners, who have all helped Yasper to flourish in year one.
Chief among these have been the truly exceptional team at Umpf. When I started talking to Adrian (MD of Umpf) about my plans, I genuinely wasn’t looking for investment, but when it was offered, I couldn’t say yes quick enough. It has been a mutually beneficial arrangement, opening up significant opportunities for Yasper and Umpf – long may that continue.
So my advice? It boils down to two things.
Have conversations. Loads of them. I am relatively well-networked, but the saying ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ couldn’t be truer in Yasper’s first year. I may have spent a small fortune on coffee in La Bottega Milanese, but I’ve had some brilliant conversations, developed good relationships into great ones, and ultimately Yasper has been all the better for it. For anyone looking to take the leap into becoming a business owner, never underestimate the power of networking.
Secondly, stick to your principles. I thought I had a very clear opinion of what Yasper was and should be when I founded the business. The only times where things have gone awry have been when I have strayed from these core beliefs and mission. It can be very tempting – on occasion – to compromise, but in the long run, it is better to trust your instincts.
Yasper completes year one 39% ahead of forecasts. I had always backed myself to grow the business, but it is satisfying when you are able to meet and exceed a target. We’re now well on our way to a punchy year two growth figure, so watch this space!
So to take you back to launch day, 23rd October 2023. Through some nifty work from my trademark attorney, we resolved the objection to Yasper’s registration, the client issue was addressed, we logged some very exciting personal milestones in our diary, and Yasper was finally introduced to the world.