BrandCanvas Case Study
LIAM'S ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY
Growing up around his parents' coffee shop, ‘The Fisherman's Wharf’, in Donegal, Liam was immersed in the world of a family business, offering him valuable insights into the responsibilities of being a business owner. However, it was only during his last year at Queen’s, inspired by the rapid advancements in AI and mentorship available through the university, that he seriously entertained the idea of starting his own business.
Business Overview:
"BrandCanvas" (www.brandcanvas.net) is an AI-powered design agency that utilises AI to optimise the design process by generating multiple design ideas in various styles. The start-up has also launched its first product, AIFoodPhotographer.com, catering to hospitality businesses looking to enhance photographs of their food.
Overcoming Challenges:
The transition from a structured university environment to the less-structured entrepreneurial world presented challenges for Liam. In tackling this, he firmly believes that “setting goals, and having a network of mentors and peers (for example via SU Co-Work) is really important."
Successes and Key Milestones:
Liam's venture into entrepreneurship marked various significant milestones, ranging from presenting in QUB Dragons Den to engaging in the QUest programme. During the programme, he not only gained valuable mentorship but clinched the top prize of £10,000 from QUBIS. A grant from InvestNI afforded him the opportunity to devote himself entirely to the business, channelling all his efforts and concentration into its growth.
Influence of Queen's University Experience:
The SU Enterprise played a crucial role in supporting Liam and his fellow students in their entrepreneurial pursuits. Initiatives such as the Dragons Den competition, the Make It Happen Fund, a tech conference trip to Berlin, and more were provided, greatly aiding the students. Additionally, QUBIS, through the QUest programme, extended substantial support. Liam acknowledges his dissertation supervisor, John Bustard, as a great mentor who supported him from the beginning, stating, "In terms of influential people, my dissertation supervisor John Bustard has been a great mentor, and he's encouraged and supported me from the very start, which I'm really grateful for."
Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Liam encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start small, find a group of people they can genuinely help, and gradually scale their efforts. He emphasises that starting a business is less complicated than people think and recommends focusing on delivering value to a target audience.
Long-term Goals:
BrandCanvas aims to understand customer needs in detail by initially working as an agency and subsequently launching scalable, do-it-yourself SaaS products to address different aspects of the design process.
Daily Motivation and Defining Success:
Liam draws daily inspiration from the flexibility to work on his own terms, steering clear of the confines of a traditional 9-5 job. Success, for Liam, means having control over his time and daily tasks. Liam recognises the importance of both financial success and personal enjoyment in his work, believing that a balance between the two is crucial for overall satisfaction and fulfilment.
Reflections and Key Lessons Learned:
Looking back at his startup journey, Liam stresses the importance of enjoying the small wins and maintaining a balanced perspective, steering away from an excessive focus on long-term plans. Liam emphasises the role of luck in business, and suggests relying on a single rigid idea isn't enough, since the odds are often against you. "Success comes from trying different things, getting to a source of feedback as quickly as possible, and iterating from there."
Work-Life Balance and Stress Management:
Liam highlights the importance of taking breaks and not working 24/7 to prevent burnout. A strong support network of peers, friends, and mentors is vital for stress management.
Liam Coyle's entrepreneurial journey with BrandCanvas highlights the power of adapting to change, leveraging university resources, and finding inspiration in personal connections to build a successful venture in the dynamic field of AI-powered design. Liam acknowledges the crucial role played by SU Enterprise, Queen’s University, QUBIS, and his mentor John Bustard. These resources provided mentorship, funding, and support, playing a vital role in launching BrandCanvas. Starting a business has been the best decision Liam has made, and he wholeheartedly recommends the entrepreneurial journey to others.