Jonn has always been very interested in the alternative scene, whether it is clothes, accessories or music.
After a number of years working laying flooring and carpets, he decided that he wanted the challenge of self employment and in particular, selling his range of distinctive clothes, piercings and bags.
Trying to turn his dream into reality meant that he had to find an organisation that would help him sharpen up his business idea, help him develop a business plan and hopefully secure some funding for a market stall and some initial stock.
In early 2011 he heard about Stockton Council’s Enterprise Gateway and got in touch with Five Lamps to find out more.
Over the next few months Jonn worked with a number of the Five Lamps team attending free business workshops and working one to one on his business plan.
In summer 2011 he was ready to go and having secured some funding, started up on local markets with his distinctive stall and product range.
As the word has spread amongst the alternative scene communities; the goths and vampires the EMOs, the punks and metalheads, Jonn has been getting more and more interest.
During October 2011 he moved into Stockton Council’s Enterprise Arcade on the High Street and has seen business really taking off.
When Chris Butler, Five Lamps Senior Business Development Officer called into his recently the place was full of people browsing and buying.
Jonn sees 2012 as a year of real opportunities for him, he is first to say that
“If it wasn’t for Five Lamps I wouldn’t be where I am today, I would probably still be on the dole. Five Lamps are really interested in helping people achieve their ambitions”
For more information, email theblackboxstockton@hotmail.co.uk, ring 07933599773 or ‘like’ their page www.facebook.com/theblackboxstockton
Five Lamps run Communities Fund on behalf of Stockton Council to support people who are unemployed. The Enterprise Gateway is delivered by Five Lamps on behalf of Stockton Borough Council.
The Enterprise Gateway project is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, securing £380,643 ERDF investment. The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.