The ‘Theatrical Arts’ are in Siobhan’s blood; from vintage jewellery to the dizzying heights of running her own theatre! The £5,000 winnings would go to new signage and further print marketing to get more people in and boost sales further.
Outline your business and entrepreneurial skills, including your relative achievements to date in running a business:
In 2010 I began a small online vintage shop selling clothing and jewellery, my store developed a cult like status in Liverpool gaining over 6000 Facebook fans, I hosted numerous successful fashion events including fashion shows and vintage fayres giving other small businesses a place to sell their wares. At the time I was still working full time at Santander but the self employment bug had bitten me. With a hunger to work for myself I took over ownership of Lantern Theatre Liverpool in October 2011. The venue, although it had been running for a year already was relatively unknown, with the help of my business partner (and mother) Margaret, I built our audience from small numbers to sell out performances. When we first took over our programme was sparse, we now have at least performances a week (but usually more) and have become known as the go to venue for fringe theatre in Liverpool. There have been many achievements since our takeover, recently National Holidays named us as one of their Top Five Alternative Theatres http://www.nationalholidays.com/blog/?p=983 and we were also nominated for the Peoples Choice Awards at the recent Visit Liverpool Awards. Being nominated for the Peoples Choice award was a particular achievement for myself as nominations were made by members of the public. When we received an email telling us we had been nominated I was delighted as we were up against some really strong candidates. We are one of the only arts organisations in Liverpool to survive without any funding. This I put down to the entrepreneurial flare of myself and my mother. If it had not been for the hard work and dedication which we put in to building the business Lantern Theatre Liverpool would not exist as springboard for artists in the city.
Why do you have the ability to be an inspiring role model? Provide examples to illustrate:
I believe that I have the ability to be an inspiring role model as I have worked extremely hard to build the businesses I have and have done so without a formal education. I left school at 16 and did not continue in to further education. The skills which initially helped me to develop my business were all self taught. I am constantly striving to better myself and my business and make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. Last year I completed an NVQ Level 3 in Business and Management with Mode Training Limited. Using my new qualification I was recently accepted to Liverpool John Moores University to study for a Degree in English and Media and Cultural Studies. I plan on completing this degree whilst still maintaining a hands on role at Lantern Theatre Liverpool. I think I would make a good role model for young women who left school believing that further education was not for them, I was that girl. I believed that my job at Santander was all I was capable of until I made a leap of faith and started on my entrepreneurial adventure. I have not looked back since. My business is going from strength to strength and new opportunities continue to arrive at my door on a daily basis. I am proof that you can achieve your dreams if you put your mind to it.
What is your business / idea and what would you use the £5,000 towards if you were to win
Within the last year Lantern Theatre Liverpool’s online presence has undergone a massive facelift. We employed a graphic designer to pull apart our old branding and website and come up with something new, vibrant and reflective of the type of work that Lantern Theatre Liverpool provides. This was a costly endeavour as it meant our website had to be completely redesigned. We made sure it was compatible with smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers alike and since our rebrand have received fantastic feedback. You can check out the results at www.lanterntheatreliverpool.co.uk. However, as a self funded business we have so far been unable to reflect our new brand on the face of the theatre. If I were to win I would put the £5000 towards new signage inside and outside the venue. I would also like to create a poster campaign around the city centre to make the general public more familiar with our new branding and generate new audience members. We have already commissioned and paid for the design for the exterior signage so being able to go ahead with the external change would make the front of the building more recognisable and really put our venue on the map.
