Tenant Profile: Flycheese Studio

Each month we're featuring a different Harland Works tenant as a way of sharing some of the many great independent small businesses that are based here. In February our Tenant of the Month is Flycheese Productions. Flycheese are a business with a social mission and have been amazing throughout lockdown at ensuring they've been a consistent presence for the students that turn to them to learn these animation skills.

How would you describe what you do?

We are a professional digital art studio, we specialise in stopmotion, animation and film making.

We provide training for people with Autism, Downs Syndrome, learning and physical disabilities.

Why did you create your business?

I saw the opportunity to provide a true studio environment for people who might need support, people who might not be able to access a mainstream studio.

I wanted to be able to support people to explore their creativity, get some world class training and gain work in the digital art sector.

Where does your ‘Flycheese’ name come from?

The air!

What do you love about running a small business?

The flexibility, being able to do something I love, Ive been doing it for 8 years and have never not wanted to go to work. I've loved seeing the studio reach its potential in provide meaningful work for people, staff and students alike.

What do you like least?

COVID-19!! Seriously, it can be very involved, the responsibility is tough.

Any tips for anyone thinking of setting up on their own?

Make sure you are obsessed by the thing you want to do, turning a hobby into a job can be hard so you need to be totally into it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What would you say to anyone else running/setting up a small independent business thinking about getting a unit at Harland Works? What works (or not!) for you being here?

It’s sound down here, the rent is good, the tenants are mixed which is great. Sophy’s supported us loads, from modifying the access to make it disability friendly to doing everything to be flexible during the COVID situation.

What's your favourite social media platform and how do you feel it works best for you in building a relationship and community with your customers?

We use Facebook, it’s great to help people get an insight into the studio, seeing what we do live 

How can people find out more about you and what you do? 

Flycheese.com is the website, type Flycheese into anything and you will find us, pop down to Harland Works and we’ll let you in!