Startup programme supports stained glass studio launch

A stained glass studio has been supported in its early business stage by a startup programme, commissioned by City of York Council.

Since they first met several years ago while studying for their MAs in Stained Glass Conservation at the University of York, best friends and Megan Barnett and Zoe Harrigan have been united by their love of this ancient and endangered craft.

After working on the freelance circuit for several years, the pair decided early this year to pool their resources and set up their own studio, formally registering in May this year as Woodside Stained Glass.

The company carry out conservation work, restoring panels of glass that can date back several centuries, as well as designing and producing new stained glass on commission.

When registering for company status on the council’s website, Zoe found out about the free support from Momentic’s Start and Grow York programme, which has been commissioned through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver tailormade support for start-ups and early-stage businesses in York.

As newcomers to setting up a business, Zoe and Megan faced some of the challenges common to many first-time entrepreneurs and received advice from Steven on everything from the practicalities of getting formally registered as a business to developing their marketing and sales strategies and identifying initial priorities to focus on.

With Steven’s advice, the pair felt more confident in making key business decisions, like opting to outsource finances to an accountant rather than handling everything themselves.

The pair also benefited from Momentic’s calendar of free webinars, which covered everything from bookkeeping and social media marketing to cash forecasting.

The business is looking into ways to help preserve their craft for future generations. Having already taken on two interns from the University of York over the summer, Megan and Zoe are hoping to explore working with apprentices as well as running public workshops and community engagement projects to help as many people as possible engage with stained glass.

Claire Foale, Interim Director of City Development at City of York Council, said: 

“It’s great to see how our UKSPF partners like Momentic are helping businesses of all shapes and sizes to get a foot in the door as they get established, and grow, in our city.

“For centuries, York has been world renown for the skill and quality of our stained glass.  With more medieval stained glass in the city than anywhere in the UK, stained glass is part of the city’s DNA. It’s fantastic to see how people like Megan and Zoe are now carrying on this legacy, literally making history everyday as they provide opportunities for the next generation of craftspeople to ensure that this at-risk trade survives for future generations to enjoy over the centuries to come.”

Steven Lydiatt, Business Advisor at Momentic, said:

"The passion Megan and Zoe bring to their craft at Woodside Stained Glass is evident. Their collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when two creative minds unite, and working with them has been an absolute joy.

“It's great that their participation on the Start & Grow York programme has helped their journey towards achieving their business goals.”

Reflecting on the benefits of having taken the leap to become a business co-owner, Megan said:

“We now have so much more freedom in how we use our time and how we choose to work and how we fit our work around our lifestyle.

“Especially since having kids, it’s been so important to me to have that flexibility that we wouldn’t otherwise have been able to have, so it’s been a real gamechanger.”

Watch the full video to find out more about how Momentic helped Woodside Stained Glass grow in their first year of business: https://youtu.be/j1_ac94M1Sw

If you’re looking for support with your growing business, start a conversation with the council’s Economic Growth team at economicgrowth@york.gov.uk

The Start and Grow York programme, delivered by Momentic, are funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.