Success Stories: DDME

Inspired to ‘go it alone’ and take the plunge after attending the Business Start-Up @ Leeds Met Annual Entrepreneurial Summer School 2004, BTEC Graphic Design Graduate Paul Waddington is taking steps towards starting his own Digital Design Company ‘DDME Ltd’ (www.ddme.co.uk) Planning to work with companies throughout the UK offering design and development for CD-Rom, Broadcast Animation, DVD and websites Paul is amply qualified for the job.

Having ten years experience within, and an understanding of, the industry in which he works Paul, a mature graduate aged 30, already has the skills necessary to start his business. Technical skills alone cannot run a business and recognising this, Paul will be joined by his wife as a business partner to be a Copywriter and Account Manager.

Even with all his experience, actually starting his own business was still a daunting prospect for Paul. Attending the Annual Entrepreneurial Summer School run by Business Start-Up @ Leeds Met changed all that. Providing him with the skills and know how necessary to start up and gaining invaluable contacts, the Summer School gave him the confidence and final push he needed to get started.

“The Summer School was a very positive experience and I wouldn’t feel as confident starting my own business had I not attended the course.”

Deciding to resign from his job 7 months on from attending the Summer School, Paul plans to go into the Leeds Metropolitan Business Incubator in March 2005 and focus on getting his business started.

See www.ddme.co.uk for more info