Yvonne used her passion of creativity to start her new business.
Yvonne Aboagye, relocated from Australia to Bradford and used her passion for creativity to start her new business, TYRO (studios), a creative workshop and event space that’s accessible to all.
TYRO (studios) was envisioned as a place where individuals could explore various artistic disciplines, from painting and drawing to pottery and macramé, guided by expert instructors.
Having relocated from Australia to Bradford, Yvonne had very little local connections and needed help with marketing, networking, and access to funding.
With support from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through webinars, resources and a dedicated adviser, Yvonne has tripled her staff and the number of workshops delivered compared to the previous year. Private bookings for events like birthday parties and bridal showers have surged, along with corporate bookings.
TYRO has expanded its offerings to include social and lifestyle events like yoga and brunch, book clubs, and more, making a positive impact on the Bradford community.
Yvonne has described her experience with the Combined Authority’s start-up support as "fantastic," highlighting the accessibility and responsiveness of the assistance received. Yvonne emphasized that the program's simplicity made it easy to seek help and guidance.
Yvonne spoke about the support she received: “I had a discussion with my adviser about various sources of funding opportunities. They signposted me to the Council’s Small Grant for Arts & Culture which I successfully applied for.”
TYRO (studios) was awarded a grant to run literature events. The money was used to subsidise the hosting costs, books, and speakers.
This year Yvonne also won “New Business of the Year” in the Telegraph and Argus Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Awards.
Yvonne said: “I wasn’t expecting to win and so was delighted to be recognised for our hard work in establishing a new business in the current climate.”
The studio also hosts lifestyle events, such as wine tastings, yoga sessions, retreats, and book clubs. All workshops are designed to be enjoyable and stress-free, emphasizing the pleasure of learning.
TYRO (studios) extends its services to businesses and HR managers seeking inclusive team-building activities.
Yvonne was supported by a Start-Up Manager from Bradford Council and attended webinars delivered by People Plus through Start-Up West Yorkshire. This support is funded and delivered by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
If you’d like to start a business or you have a business that’s been trading for less than three years, contact Invest in Bradford.