Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” This famous quote, often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, is the essence of the entrepreneur in a nutshell. See a need, fulfil it profitably, drive your vision.

But where do entrepreneurs go to make connections, build relationships, get advice and a helping hand, and find new prospects?

If they’re in Bedfordshire, the answer is right here at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce. And below is the inspiring story of two of our youngest entrepreneurs, who chose the Chamber to add value to their business activities.

Entrepreneur Nathan Jacobs - Doorstep Promotions

At a mere 19 years old, Nathan is at the helm of Doorstep Promotions, which specialises in leaflet distribution and design, enabling local businesses to reach potential prospects in their own homes – but with a neat digital twist.

Nathan can also build his clients’ landing pages or even entire websites. So, when a recipient interacts with a leaflet (by scanning a QR code on it), Nathan can not only gather the contact data but also analyse how the respondents view the website content – which enables him to improve it.

“This helps to accelerate conversion,” he explains, “and it also provides insights into campaign response rates through unique QR codes assigned to each business’s leaflet campaign.”

As part of a rigorous quality control process that also uses tracking devices to record his operators’ delivery movements, Nathan films deliveries to demonstrate to clients that the work has been carried out.

Of his membership of the Chamber, Nathan says: “The networking events are great and they’ve helped my business to become more established.”

“I’m gradually becoming known as ‘The Leaflet Guy’ in this area, and that suits me fine!”

Entrepreneur Harvey Greenwood - Greenwood Drones

For 21 year-old Harvey Greenwood, inspiration for his business idea came from his father’s roofing company, where he spotted an opportunity to carry out roofing surveys using camera-equipped drones – quicker, less costly, and safer than scaffolding or cherry pickers.

But in the true spirit of entrepreneurial versatility, the drone element is actually just one platform for the company’s underlying expertise in still and moving imagery.

Harvey now combines his flying and visual skills to offer everything from those roof surveys, to image capture for 3D property mapping, fly-throughs, and promotional or cinematic footage and stills, which he can also edit into a polished final product.

“I recently asked a client why he chose us,” he recounts, “and he made the point that although we weren’t the lowest-priced option out there, he valued how readily we volunteered knowledge and advice, and how proactively we engaged with him.”

Greenwood Drones’ Chamber membership connects it to hundreds of direct prospects, but also, as Harvey observes, “to media companies and videographers, where we add value to the services they deliver to their end-clients.”

Be a Beds Chamber entrepreneur

Beds Chamber is a hub for entrepreneurism in the region, and we’re always keen to welcome new entrepreneurs into our community of over 750 businesses.

Whether you’re looking to network through our regular events, hone your business skills through our expert webinars, make your cash go further with our Member2Member offers, or tap into our export support for markets across the globe, the Chamber’s the place to be.

For more information on how to join Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com, or call our friendly team on 01582 522448.