1. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Being in Business A Perspective from Him and Her!

2. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Sue Roberts 37 years old Financially secure from the sale of an IT company Mother of two young children House to run Introduced to Tom by Steve – partner

3. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Tom Fripp 27 years old Originally from Bristol area Bachelors Degree and undertaking Masters at time of set-up Financially unsecure from 7 years of being a student!! No desire to work for a “boss” Some great product design ideas and skills but no way to fund development

4. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Fripp Design The company concept: Develop intellectual property in our own products and licence the rights to produce the products. The reality: Development of successful products takes resources, skills and technology Still aspire to develop IP and currently have 5 products in development

5. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Where it all Started Turned my conservatory into an office Getting to know Tom Giving Tom a key to my house Started setting a place for him at the kitchen table Juggling children and building a business Investing in the business and planning for the future

6. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Starting Fripp Design and Research Working with very few resources Working for relationships rather than money Being flexible Skills put to the test Difficult working alone rather than as part of a team Generating repeat customers Undercutting competition – winning business on price Develop diverse products

7. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Moving into business premises – Why? Buying a ZCorp 510 – which won’t fit in the conservatory!!! December 2007 - Moved into Sheffield Tech – Business Incubator of the year 07/08 Taking on our first employee (now a shareholder) Financing the Business

8. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Turning into a “real” company Offering customers something of genuine value Growing resources CAD Design skills Marketing Web presence Staff Brand awareness: who you know, not what you know Focusing on core skills Winning business Professional service

9. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Moving on... Moving to the Advanced Manufacturing Park On page1of Google for product design #5 Dealing with difficult clients and going to court Not enough hours in the day New directions for the business Board meetings and heated discussions Managing cash

10. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN...growing Pains More employees – more liabilities Managing cash flow Working with Universities Years of networking starting to pay off Implementing systems to manage growth Managing and motivating employees Recognising thieves...

11. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Rules in business Define responsibilities Regular board meetings Lead by example Manage your cash Be honest with clients & suppliers Enjoy what you do

12. www.frippdesign.co.uk CONSULT RESEARCH DESIGN Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre Brunel Way Sheffield S60 5WG THANK YOU 0114 254 1244 enquiry@frippdesign.co.uk