A new media production company in Shropshire has seen rapid growth in its first year, thanks to the support of the Shropshire Growth Hub.
Opus Media Productions, founded in September 2023 by Stavros Kokkinos, has thrived in its inaugural year with help from various business support programmes. The company, which provides services such as video production, live streaming, podcasting, and studio recording, was born from Stavros’s extensive career in music education, including 20 years as director of music at Concord College near Shrewsbury.
Stavros, a former teacher, said the Shropshire Growth Hub’s guidance and resources had been crucial to his business’s success. “The Shropshire Growth Hub has been a tremendous help and fundamental to the development of my business,” he explained. “I feel very privileged to have received all the support they’ve given me. It’s amazing to see how much help is available, and so much of it is free.”
The Growth Hub’s support for new businesses has been pivotal in the development of Opus Media Productions, including assistance through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Stavros participated in several key programmes, such as the Shropshire Start Up Programme and Business Boost 360, which provided one-on-one sessions with experts like Jamie Pratt and Peter the Speaker.
Stavros also attended numerous seminars, workshops, and events, including the Shropshire Digital Summit and various masterclasses in podcasting, communications, and digital marketing. He even formed a collaboration with Media Insiders, a podcast production company, after meeting at a Growth Hub event. This partnership has led to the creation of a “powerhouse for podcast production,” combining Stavros’s recording studio with Ed Nell’s podcasting expertise.
“The workshop with Ed was really inspirational,” Stavros shared. “We’ve now decided to partner to offer podcast production services as a combined package, which is very exciting. I also had the opportunity to work with Emma Alston on presentation skills, and we’re planning a future collaboration too.”
Stavros credits the network and advice he received from the Growth Hub for helping to expand his business and build valuable contacts within the industry. “The first year was all about building my network and making connections,” he said. “Next year will be about deepening those relationships and establishing my roots in the community.”
Emma Chapman, the manager of the Shropshire Growth Hub, expressed her delight at Stavros’s success. “It’s always fantastic to see new start-ups thrive, and Stavros has made the most of everything the Growth Hub has to offer. His story is a great example of how the network can help businesses grow and create exciting opportunities,” she said.
The Shropshire Growth Hub will host a new Start-Up Workshop in partnership with the British Business Bank at Shrewsbury Town’s stadium on January 28, 2025. For more information on how the Growth Hub can support new businesses, visit their website.