A Bold New Start
- Jay Ludditt
- Nov 5, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2023
Launching Bold Perspective is probably a little overdue. It feels like I'm going back to my roots, after 6 or so years concentrating most of my energy in the not-for-profit sector. It really is a great feeling and I can't wait to get stuck in.
Looking back, I remember building my first business, a brand and creative agency, from the loft space in my parents house. I sat on a wicker-style chair, using the Mac I purchased with my student loan. The address on the letterhead read “The Loft”, which handily sounded much grander than it really was.
I later moved to a studio space in a converted mill. Independence felt good, but it was so cold in that building you could see your breath in the corridor most of the year.
Moving to Nottingham city meant a few things to me. I had a smart office space in a nice part of town that people would be happy to visit. An abundance of prospective clients nearby, and crucially, it was an environment that could inspire great things in the future.
I experimented with a concept business called ‘Student Deal’. It was a site for businesses to offer exclusive promotions just for students, but it was on a local level only, and there was no verification tech to restrict access. In the end, Student Deal was shelved, but UNiDAYS was born.
UNiDAYS grew exponentially, despite the challenges of establishing a brand new category. From an early stage ASOS was a key partner, I had met with Apple in Cupertino, rolled the brand out to the Australian market, and had driven millions in sales revenue for leading retailers across the world. What started as a team of 4 and only a promise of what was to come to a small pool of student advocates, rapidly grew to become a globally recognised brand and one of my proudest achievements to date.
Whilst life has changed since then, my passion for orchestrating opportunities and playing a fundamental role in the growth of successful organisations remains. Throughout my career I've had the ability to combine creativity with strategic thinking. With Bold Perspective I'll be using that to full effect, and pushing myself even further, to help others thrive.