Andrea Photiou | Media

Playvybz.com
www.playvybz.com

Andrea Photiou is the founder of Playvybz.com a licensed Internet radio station and training academy.

Precious: Did you always want to be a Business Woman?

When I was very young I always aspired to be one of those women who carried a briefcase, although I wasn't sure what would be in the briefcase! I started to think about being a business woman after reading inspiring stories of people who had success in various industries-I think I was about 16 at that time.

Precious: How and when did you come up with your business idea?

After feeling really frustrated at the lack of variety on mainstream radio, which was around 2006.

Precious: Tell us about the business planning stage

I seem to have worked backwards a lot. When a good idea pops into my head I tend to go with it, make it happen; then document it after. I do have a Business Plan, however it was written after I started trading! I went to Wandsworth Youth Enterprise Centre to get some structure around my ideas and find out what key elements I needed for the plan and the marketing of the station.

Precious: Did you have any formal business training?

No. I've got some excellent Business mentors, such as Sandra Smart who has a MBA and CIPD qualifications, Lorna Gayle who's done some successful events and theatre productions and Livingston Gilchrist AKA Gilly who is my Business Coach and host of the Speakeasy show; which is one of Playvybz’ longest-running shows. Tamsin Elliot is also one of my mentors in business. Although she's in a different industry, her work ethic and hunger really inspires me to do better.

Precious: What funding sources have worked for you?

None!

Precious: How do you work on making your business grow?

I meet with Gilly on a regular basis to review things and tweak what hasn't been working for me on a day-to-day basis. It’s been a constant struggle and a process of trial and error. At this point, I feel that building relationships and sharing resources, as well as supporting events are things that have made us grow.

Precious: Has your business developed in the way that you thought it would?

It’s developed in ways beyond what I ever imagined in some ways, and I can see clearly what work needs to be done to meet my own expectations in other areas.

Precious: What's been the most exciting event to happen in your business life so far?

Being named a finalist in the 2008 Precious Awards, and in the 2009 Lambeth Business Awards. Hearing Angie Stone do a Playvybz jingle comes a close second though!

Precious: How do you see your business progressing over the next five years?

I see us really capitalising on the 2012 digital switchover by being the UK's number one choice for online radio. I think our formula of ‘anything goes’ sets us apart from other stations. Our DJs and hosts, as well as the management team; really care about the success of the station and academy as a whole, and that just makes world domination so much easier!

Precious: How has family/friend support affected your business efforts?

How has family/friend support affected your business efforts? My family still think I'm crazy-it all kind of goes over their heads. My friends have been mostly very supportive. My best friend works with me at the studio, and we co-host a show together-when she's there - she keeps me sane!

Precious: How do you achieve the work life balance?

I don't! Seriously, I have never worked this hard in my life with so little complaining! I'm really looking to change that for 2009. I've started to work with a Personal Trainer, as I've always wanted to tone up. She's helping me to understand that I am the centre of my business, so I need to be healthy for it to be a success. She's also one of our hosts, so you can keep up with my efforts on the treadmill on her show!

Precious: What's your advice to potential female entrepreneurs?

Do what others won’t do to have what others won’t have!

Andrea was a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category in the 2008 Precious Awards

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