Case Study : S&P Entertainment - Simon Duxbury

Simon said: “Business is booming - we do pubs, clubs and private functions and we offer so many different things, so there is something for everyone.”

This is not the first time that Simon has been in the entertainment business, he used to DJ with a friend: “When I lived in Manchester, a friend and I were regular DJ’s at local pubs and clubs. It was just a hobby really, but it was extra money. So, when I packed it in, he continued on without me and has done really well. So I thought why not do something that I enjoy and I know I’m good at? So I did.”

Emily Edwards, Simon’s Be Enterprising Coach said: “We were really pleased to help Simon get his business off the ground. He had the business idea and the drive to see him through the start up process and we were able to help him with the rest.”

Simon said: “Emily was a great help to me every step of the way. She made me think about all the in and outs of setting up a business and advised me about aspects I’d never considered. The funding I received was easily spent on equipment like lights, music, speakers and microphones, however, you can’t put a price on the support and advice I was given. I could not have done this without them.”

S&P Entertainment offer various pub orientated entertainments, such as karaoke, music quizzes, stars in your eyes, deal or no deal, Nintendo Wii nights and discos. Simon has two regular slots in County Durham, one in Leadgate, Consett and the other in Thornley near Trimdon, doing karaoke nights and music quizzes every other Sunday.

He said: “I get a lot of young people wanting to come up and sing karaoke, so the music I have is very varied. It ranges from the 60s to Motown to dance music. Whatever people want I will play for them.”

Simon is a busy man and business is going well despite the credit crunch. He said: “I’m booked nearly every weekend, this week I have five gigs in three days. I’m nearly booked up for the whole of December.”

Simon’s fiancée Paula is always on hand to help if Simon overbooks himself, and it was from Paula that Simon heard of Be Enterprising: “Paula went to Be Enterprising for funding for a t-shirt printing business. They were really helpful in getting her set up, so it was the ideal option for me when I thought about setting mine up. It also links in really well with my business, as she prints t-shirts for birthday parties and hen parties.”

For more information about S&P Entertainment, please contact Simon Duxbury on 07864 333 404.