Success Stories: Burning Studios

Leeds Met graduate James Jelliman is the founder of ‘Burning Studios’ - a music recording & production company which offers recording (studio & mobile), mixing, mastering, sound design & composition services. Operating from a studio in Kirkstall, Burning Studios has to date produced albums for rX28 and Madam Laycock & Her Dabeno Pleasures, both albums are available on iTunes, as well as Molotov Sandwich which is due to be launched in London in April 2010.  Other clients include Yorkshire Forward, the creative digital company Jam Jar Collective and the film production company Left Eye Blind.

J originally set up Burning Studios with co-founder Jonathan Barnard in 2005 whilst studying music related degrees at Leeds Metropolitan and Leeds University (BSc Creative Music and Sound Technology – BA Popular & World Music). ‘We had always wanted to start our own business ever since we first discussed our ideas at school’ said J. ‘being our own boss gives us the kind of creative freedom and control which we just wouldn’t be able to get working for someone else’. In 2007 J took full control of the business and started working as a sole trader, whilst Jon pursued other goals.

To some observers setting up a business whilst completing your studies may have seemed a little over ambitious but for Burning Studios it made complete sense. As J explained, ‘We were able to test the market and take on small projects to establish ourselves...we were also able to use this time to carry out all our planning and research’.

In order to help with the early stages of start up J applied to the ‘Proof of Concept Fund’ available through Business Start-up @ Leeds Met. The fund is intended to help students and recent graduates of Leeds Met test the feasibility of their business concept. Over £35,000 has been awarded since the fund was launched in 2005, providing funding for such varied projects as prototype development, market research, and specialist advice.

Burning Studios used the Proof of Concept funding to help them carry out vital market research through targeted promotional activities, supported by the design and deployment of their website. J commented, “whilst receiving the funding contribution was excellent, applying to the Proof of Concept was also a success in that the entire application process made us reflect upon our ideas for the business and question some of the processes we had previously intended to have in place; having someone else objectively scrutinize our business proposition was a real bonus and one that has helped us to more clearly define what our business is going to be”.

Since its launch, Burning Studios has gone from strength to strength, taking on exciting new clients and gaining work through repeat business and word of mouth.  They have a variety of new projects in the pipeline and hope to expand into new studio facilities in the near future.
Check out Burning Studios website for more information www.burningstudios.co.uk


Updated February 2010