Firaas Akbar is a Biomedical Sciences graduate from the University of Birmingham. He started a business called Poster Studio in May 2023 – a venture that creates high quality posters focusing on four distinct categories:
cars, streetwear, quotes, and sports.
Firaas: With a strong blend of artistic flair and
attention to detail, Poster Studio caters to enthusiasts and individuals who
are passionate about these diverse interests.
attention to detail, Poster Studio caters to enthusiasts and individuals who
are passionate about these diverse interests.
It creates a haven for individuals who have a passion for cars, streetwear, quotes, and sports. Through meticulous design, premium materials, and a strong online presence, you provide a unique and enriching experience for customers who seek to adorn their spaces with art that reflects their interests and lifestyle.
Poster Studio
Cars: celebrate the beauty, power, and
elegance of various automobiles. From classic vintage cars to modern supercars,
your posters capture the unique essence of each vehicle.
Streetwear: embodies the
urban fashion culture with a fusion of style and attitude. These posters
highlight iconic streetwear apparel, sneakers, and accessories in visually
striking compositions. By blending fashion elements with artistic creativity,
you capture the edgy and trendy essence of streetwear culture.
Cars: celebrate the beauty, power, and
elegance of various automobiles. From classic vintage cars to modern supercars,
your posters capture the unique essence of each vehicle.
Streetwear: embodies the
urban fashion culture with a fusion of style and attitude. These posters
highlight iconic streetwear apparel, sneakers, and accessories in visually
striking compositions. By blending fashion elements with artistic creativity,
you capture the edgy and trendy essence of streetwear culture.
Poster Studio
Quotes:
and thought-provoking quotes with visually appealing design. Each poster is a
unique representation of the message it carries, combining typography, colour
schemes, and imagery to resonate with people on a personal level.
Sports: captures the energy, passion, and
dedication of various sports.
Whether it’s soccer, basketball, football, or
other athletic pursuits, your posters showcase iconic moments, athletes in
action, and the spirit of competition.
other athletic pursuits, your posters showcase iconic moments, athletes in
action, and the spirit of competition.
How did you come up with your business idea and when did it
all start? Graphic design has always been my
passion, and while crafting posters for my own space, a family member commended
their exceptional quality, suggesting they could have commercial value.
Encouraged by this feedback, I embarked on creating an expanded collection and
subsequently established a brand around my poster creations. Did you receive any support from the B-Enterprising team? If
so, how did the support from B-Enterprising help you with your start-up? I secured an initial funding of
£500, which enabled me to acquire a high-quality photo printer and a range of
photo paper in different sizes and finishes. This start-up capital has
empowered me to handle poster printing in-house, thereby enhancing my profit
margins. Additionally, I’ve been granted the opportunity for mentoring sessions
through the B-Enterprising team, an offer that I eagerly intend to utilise. What are the best aspects of running a business?
Independence
and Control. One of the
most rewarding aspects is the autonomy and control you have over your business
decisions. You shape the direction and strategy, which can be incredibly
fulfilling.
passionate about your business’s mission, it becomes a labour of love. You get
to express your creativity and ideas in ways that resonate with you.
Growth. Entrepreneurship is a continuous
learning journey. You acquire diverse skills, from management to marketing,
that contribute to personal and professional growth.
Finally, flexibility. Depending on the nature of your business, you might have more
flexibility in terms of work hours and location, allowing for a better
work-life balance.
The responsibility of
decision-making, managing finances, and ensuring the business’s success can be stressful and at times seem overwhelming. Business owners often work long hours, especially in the early
stages. Balancing work and personal life can become a challenge. For me it’s also a challenge to consider regulations and compliance. Navigating legal requirements, regulations, and compliance can be complex and
time-consuming.
of creating a comprehensive future before launching my business. Initially, I
began with a compact portfolio of posters and dedicated considerable effort to
perfecting the website. However, I now recognise the wisdom in focusing on
expanding my product range to include a diverse array of offerings.
What has been the biggest takeaway from your experience?
Effective marketing plays a
pivotal role in any business. While aesthetics hold significance, it’s crucial
to shift focus onto the quality of products. Strong products have inherent
selling power, even if marketing is less polished. On the contrary, exceptional
marketing won’t salvage subpar products.
decision-making, managing finances, and ensuring the business’s success can be stressful and at times seem overwhelming. Business owners often work long hours, especially in the early
stages. Balancing work and personal life can become a challenge. For me it’s also a challenge to consider regulations and compliance. Navigating legal requirements, regulations, and compliance can be complex and
time-consuming.
Name one thing you wish you knew before you started your
business venture.
of creating a comprehensive future before launching my business. Initially, I
began with a compact portfolio of posters and dedicated considerable effort to
perfecting the website. However, I now recognise the wisdom in focusing on
expanding my product range to include a diverse array of offerings.
pivotal role in any business. While aesthetics hold significance, it’s crucial
to shift focus onto the quality of products. Strong products have inherent
selling power, even if marketing is less polished. On the contrary, exceptional
marketing won’t salvage subpar products.
