Starting North Bear Media Ltd: My Journey into Entrepreneurship

Norton Hunt

5/21/20243 min read

Do Something Great neon sign
Do Something Great neon sign

Starting North Bear Media Ltd has been a journey fuelled by my passion for photography, videography, and graphic design. From a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of visual storytelling. I love the challenge and intricate design elements involved in bringing a website together. With graphic design, one tweak of depth can cheapen an entire image, while a simple change in colour can make it. I study brands everywhere I go, intrigued by how a combination of lines and colours can evoke emotions and reactions. This curiosity and attention to detail are what drive my work at North Bear Media Ltd.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was being brave enough to back myself. Starting a new business requires a lot of courage and confidence. It’s not just about having the skills; it’s about believing in yourself and your vision. Fortunately, my previous experience as an Operations Director has been invaluable. In my previous role, I learned the ins and outs of running a business, managing teams, and delivering results under pressure. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have the expertise or the right support network to embark on this journey. The skills I honed over those seven years have been instrumental in navigating the early stages of setting up North Bear Media Ltd.

The most rewarding part has been receiving good feedback within the first week. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that people like my work and appreciate my experience not just in design, but also in business. This positive reception has been a huge confidence booster and a reminder of why I started this journey. Although the local community in Belper hasn’t fully responded yet, I am optimistic and hopeful for future engagement. Building a reputation takes time, and I am committed to putting in the effort to connect with local businesses and show them the value I can offer.

Honesty has been my most effective strategy in building my client base. In the first two weeks, I made it clear that North Bear Media Ltd is a new business. My network has been incredibly supportive, helping through social media shares and word-of-mouth referrals. This honest approach has helped me connect with new clients who value transparency. They appreciate that I am upfront about being a start-up, and it has built a strong foundation of trust. I believe that honesty and integrity are key to long-term success, and I am committed to maintaining these values as my business grows.

One of the key aspects of delivering quality work is being realistic about timelines. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new projects and overpromise on delivery dates. I make sure not to overpromise and allow myself enough time to deliver what I’ve promised. This careful time management ensures that I maintain high quality across all the services I offer. Whether it’s graphic design, photography, videography, social media support, or web design, I am dedicated to delivering results that exceed my clients’ expectations.

Looking ahead, I hope North Bear Media Ltd becomes a well-known business in the local area, recognised for delivering quality with honesty and a sense of humour. I want to create a brand that people trust and enjoy working with. While there are exciting opportunities on the horizon, I prefer not to count my chickens before they hatch. Instead, I focus on delivering excellent work for my current clients and building a strong foundation for future growth.

Starting North Bear Media Ltd has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. I’ve learned so much in a short amount of time, and I’m eager to see how the business evolves. There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from seeing your vision come to life and knowing that you’re making a positive impact. I look forward to continuing to help local businesses with their digital and creative needs and to growing alongside them. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, and I am excited to face them head-on.