Case Study : Hybrid Multimedia - Kevin Shaw & Darren Davis

The expanding company specialises in providing repair services for consoles, PCs and mobile phones. It also provides equipment and has an exchange centre in store for swapping, selling and buying pre-owned games.

Kevin explains: “I’ve always helped friends and family with their computers from home. Then I was made redundant, was looking for a job and needed a change. One evening I came back from a computer fair and just called Darren and said: ‘Why don’t we have a go and start our own thing mate?’”

The idea eventually turned to reality when “Why not?” became “Let’s do it” with assistance from Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative.

The duo received support to develop their business plan and advice on the day-to-day running of the venture. They also benefitted from a grant to help cover start-up costs, purchase equipment and contribute towards the refurbishment of their shop on Spennymoor High Street.
Despite the recession, Hybrid Multimedia has proven to be a flourishing company. Darren added: “The credit crunch has helped us in a way as everyone seems to want to have their PCs repaired rather than buy new ones at the minute.”  

Having just celebrated its first anniversary, Hybrid Multimedia is now planning to expand the brand with the potential to take on an extra hand in the business and open new shops in the North East, possibly in Durham City.

Kevin adds: “Depending on what the future brings, we are also open to cooperation with other companies.”

It was able to support Hybrid Multimedia through its Intensive Start-up Support programme, which aims to provide dedicated support to start-up companies in the business-to-business to sectors with growth potential.

Jeremy Wright, Hybrid Multimedia’s Be Enterprising ISUS coach, said: “Huge credit has to go to the guys for the success they’ve achieved so far. Setting up a business is never easy but they’ve worked hard, re-invested in the company, taken very little out of it and stuck closely to their business plan.

“They’ve experienced the usual teething issues most start-ups have in the way of driving cash flow. Fortunately, this is where some of the advice we’ve been able to provide in the way of business planning has stood them in good stead and they now have a developing company.”