County Down man follows a 'niggle' to launch a picture-perfect caricature business

Based in Bangor, John McClaughry Artist grew from a ‘niggle’ to a successful business thanks to the help of the Go For It programme in association with Ards and North Down Borough Council.

Having studied fine art painting at university, John has always had a passion for art, but he struggled to find the confidence to take this passion and turn it into a reality.

John explained: “I had been working in a factory for a number of years, but in the back of my mind I constantly had a niggle of wanting to have my own business, but I didn’t know where to start.

“I knew there was a gap in the market for a caricature artist in Northern Ireland, but it wasn’t until my 11-month-old daughter Nellie came along that I decided to take the leap, get in touch with the Go For It programme and kick-start my very own business.”

Since launching last year, John’s business also know as DoodlesByJohn has been going from strength to strength with over 800 Etsy orders worldwide along with 260 five-star reviews.

John continued: “I was so nervous when I launched my business because I didn’t know how it would go.

"But I knew this was something I had to try and if it didn’t go to plan, at least I had given it a shot and I could always get another job.

“Being my own boss gives me flexibility to work family life around work.

"I want to spend as much time as possible with my daughter while working in a job I’m truly passionate about and want to succeed in.”

John launched John McClaughry Artist after taking part in the Go For It programme through Ards and North Down Borough Council.The Go For It programme is delivered free of charge by a team of experienced business mentors through Northern Ireland’s wide network of enterprise agencies.

The programme provides expert advice and support to develop a business plan that helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into commercial businesses.

John said: “The Go For It programme was such a great source of confidence for me, and it gave me the motivation to just jump in and go for it! I didn’t know where to start and what was actually required to launch a business, and the programme gave me lots of support and guidance to begin my entrepreneurial journey.

“I was provided with a business advisor who helped me create a business plan and this really helped me refine my business idea and pinpoint exactly what I wanted to achieve.

"It acts as a step-by-step guide and helps me stay on track to achieving my goals and targets.”

Mayor of Ards and North Down, councillor Jennifer Gilmour, added: “John is a great example of how the Go For It programme can instil confidence in entrepreneurs and give them that push to take the leap and launch their business.

"I would encourage anyone with a business idea to get in touch with the programme.”

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