In an attempt to brighten up London in time for the summer, PROPERCORN have covered Routemaster buses, bikes, tubes and now two sites in Brixton and Shoreditch with their trademark bright pattern.

Cassandra Stavrou

Cassandra Stavrou

Cassandra Stavrou set up Propercorn nearly 4 years ago and the business now sells 3 million bags a month so she offers her top tips for starting a business from scratch!

1. Be prepared to work hard

To raise the initial funding, I moved back to my mum's. I did some shoddy temp jobs and worked behind a bar in a pub at weekends. I managed to save £10,000 over 18 months which was enough to start off on a basic level.

2. Passion

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to start my own business. The idea has to be rooted in something you are passionate about, this will come through in everything you do; the execution, the way you talk about the business and it will ensure that the people around you are excited about the opportunity ahead.

3. 10% Idea, 90% execution

People often have new venture ideas but the difference between that and success really does lie in the execution, the way you bring it to life, the structure you put into place to allow the product/service to move forward and the distribution you go after is so important.

4. Network

The community and network you build can often lead to some amazing opportunities so follow every lead.

5. Commercial viability

From the outset, ensure you have a business plan in place that can clearly demonstrate the commercial viability of your business. It needs to be sustainable and have a workable cash flow .

7. Be prepared to take risks

You can't be too risk adverse if you want to start your own business. There is no guarantee that it will work and there is some luck as well as a lot of hard work involved, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. Trust your instincts; it is easy to lose sight of the gut instinct, but it's incredibly important not to.

8. Be resilient

A clear goal or end point in sight is crucial to staying on track as a million things will come and knock you sideways along the way.

9. Work with people you like

We spend so much time in the workplace so work with people you get on with. 

10. Stretch yourself

It shouldn't feel too comfortable, if you are on the edge of your comfort zone then this means you are learning and being challenged

Weekend activity onsite

WHERE, WHAT & WHEN?

Sat 4th July - Full day 11am-7pm; Brixton screen printing (Print Club London) / Shoreditch Nail Bar (Boom nails)

Sat 11th July Full day 11am-7pm; Brixton nail bar (Boom nails) / Shoreditch screen printing (Print Club London)

Brixton - Tunstall Road to the side of Morleys SW9 8EH opposite Brixton tube

Shoreditch - Shoreditch High St next to Boxpark E1 6GY under the flyover to Shoreditch High St Overground

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