Laurentiu Garofeanu:
Photographer & Video Producer

I had to start a business; my industry expects you to be freelance. There are advantages though; I can control my time and work on projects when it’s good for me. There’s also the freedom to choose clients, not when you first start perhaps, but once you grow.

My arts education taught me how to create but not how to sell, talk to people and harness their power; the worlds of arts and business are alien. My partner saw an article about a creative business that HBV helped to raise finance and develop. That was the answer.

HBV’s adviser looked into my business, asked about my plans, invited me to seminars, and I was fortunate to receive a grant as well. Also, HBV made me aware of things I didn’t have and helped me to get them; language, communication skills and confidence.

Going into business has its ups and downs. Building networks, proving myself and getting people to trust me, was a challenge. Making mistakes helps but you have to get over them, learn from them, and move on. Also, people have very different backgrounds and expectations, and you have to try to meet these all of the time. This requires energy, knowledge and flexibility; you have to develop it to succeed.

However, the UK is one of the best places in Europe to be an entrepreneur. If you have a skill you want to sell, it’s easy to start trading. There’s no real bureaucracy.

When your creation succeeds, its great to realise what you have achieved. I love the feeling of security from knowing I can succeed and grow a business. I’ve also had the chance to work on projects involving some really interesting people, for example Sheryl Crow, Anish Kapoor, John Simpson & Fiona Bruce from the BBC, and the new Lord Chief Justice.

Now I focus on portraits, product photography and video documentary, creating images or brands with small businesses. My competitors seem to make their clients look the same, so I make sure mine all have character. I photographed a series of products for a local designer recently; they said they had never seen their work in that way, and were really struck by it.

Now I am raising my profile and finding new ways to win clients. I’m looking at developing a production company where I can work with others and get bigger jobs; HBV will help with marketing strategies, limited company structures and other know-how.

My advice to anyone starting out in business would be; don’t give up, learn from your mistakes, try 1001 ways to grow, talk to everybody, and learn to sell.

www.garofeanu.com