Aroundtown Magazine November/December 2022 Edition

BUSINESS
Mapping out the future
at The Business Village
When you own a business, every
day is a new adventure. But the
best journeys are those shared
with others.
Exploring a collaborative approach, making
connections and expanding your network is a
great way to grow a business and become a
successful entrepreneur. At The Business Village,
they promote the benefits of exchanging ideas
and skill sharing amongst all their tenants.
Along with mentoring and coaching from the
business development teams, tenants have
access to regular networking opportunities and
workshops that cover a range of topics from SEO
and social media marketing to sales and finance.
We spoke to one new
tenant, Atlas and I, to
hear more about how
collaboration is helping
map out the future of the
business
Earlier this year, Tom Maskill acquired the
well-established personalised gifting business,
Atlas and I. The company has traded since
2013, making and selling vintage map prints
and homewares. But now, Tom is looking at new
directions to take the business.
The first step was moving head office
operations to Barnsley. Before moving away to
study business and management, Tom grew up in
Barnsley and has a strong affiliation with the town,
having run various businesses since he was just
14. So he always knew it would be the place he
wanted to live and work.
He was initially looking for a flexible and
affordable office, which is what drew him to The
Business Village. But Tom soon found that their
collaborative ethos and business support would
have greater benefits to his business.
“We have a culture in Barnsley where we’re
always happy to help, and that definitely happens
at the Business Village. I can talk to Kevin, the
business development manager, about anything
I’m struggling with at any point. If he can’t help,
he’ll put me in touch with other businesses here
on site who are happy to donate their expertise,”
Tom says.
“I’ve recently become part of the Creative
Collective here at The Business Village which has
been really useful, particularly for someone who
is creatively challenged like myself. It’s been great
to have input from other people in creative roles.”
Atlas and I has a full-time designer who
works with customers to create fully bespoke,
personalised gifts. The process is completely
digital, with hundreds of Ordnance Survey maps
from 1895, 1907 and 1960 having been scanned
and digitised.
Customers can put in the postcode of a
location that has significance, such as where they
got engaged or married, the street where they
live, or a favourite holiday. Then they can choose
which OS map design they like best and what
product they’d like to personalise.
Atlas and I’s product list is endless; there are
drinks trays, placemats and coasters, cushions,
jigsaws, and even huge kitchen splashbacks. For
the greeting cards and prints, their designer can
also create a bespoke silhouette print of a hobby,
family, event or house that is relevant to the map.
All designs are then produced by a range of
independent suppliers across the country. Like
The Business Village, they too have a focus on
sustainability and use FSC accredited materials,
as well as British manufacturers to reduce
transport emissions.
www.atlas-and-i.com
50 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk