Rich Sutcliffe is the founder of Agency for Good, an award-winning social purpose consultancy, web and creative marketing agency based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Agency for Good provide consultancy, web and creative services to start-ups and social purpose organisations, ethically and for less.
Good by name and by purpose, they provide six hours of free marketing consultancy to social purpose organisations to help them create more impact. They can then provide lower cost services including web design, graphic design and other marketing and digital services. They also provide these services to start-ups at better rates than the norm.
Since their launch in January 2019, Agency for Good have helped over 70 social purpose organisations and have 30 paying clients including North Invest, DigiBete and Bradford Hospitals Charity. Agency for Good have saved their clients thousands in fees meaning they can use their funds better and on the front line.
Rich said: “I love helping those who need the most help. The fact I can use my experience and skills to help others is amazing. I can shape something that has my values to create a greater impact in society.”
Keen to capitalise on their short-term success and the good press they were receiving, Agency for Good approached BEF for a Start Up loan in June 2019.
“We needed to redevelop our own site which had not been changed since day one due to time constraints.” Rich said, “We also needed additional funds for our own marketing and events to ensure sustainability over the long term.”
Thanks to a £3,000 Start Up loan delivered by BEF in July 2019, the redesign of the Agency for Good website is nearing completion. They have purchased long-term marketing materials for use at events and workshops, established an events marketing plan and set aside funds to help with any short term cashflow problems that may arise.
Since receiving the Start Up loan, Agency for Good won the New Business of the Year for Bradford Award at the Bradford Means Business Awards. They were also runner up for New Business of the Year at the Keighley and Airedale Awards.
“The Start Up loan allows us to keep creating social impact but ensure profitability.” Rich said, “Working with Josh was great, and he was enthusiastic about our business model, in all honesty the process was that quick and simple that it consisted of a few emails and a short meeting.”
Rich’s advice for other companies who face similar challenges is: “Don’t panic, think it through and assess as many options as possible. There is always someone out there that can help. Build a good network of trusted people around you.”
Josh Kelly, Start Up Loans Manager at BEF, said: “It was a pleasure to support Rich whose knowledge, experience and focus on social impact makes a real and meaningful difference to the customers he serves. Our support will enable Agency for Good to grow sustainably and impact more social purpose organisations and the communities they serve.”
For more information on Agency for Good visit https://agencyforgood.co.uk.
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