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Ryan Jackson is the owner of OG Kicks, stockists of premium footwear, streetwear, and sought-after sneakers. Ryan took his passion for buying and selling from a young age and channelled it into launching his own business. From listing on Depop to opening a destination retail store in 2020, OG Kicks has established itself as a fan-favourite among sneakerheads.
Business awards can be a fantastic boost for a start-up business. Taking home the trophy for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the South East FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards in 2022 was a huge achievement not only for Ryan, but for his staff too. “It was great for our team to get recognition for all the hard work we’ve put in over the years,” says Ryan. The annual FSB Awards celebrate the successes and achievements of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK.
Sharing his top tips for people looking to start their own business, the young entrepreneur highlighted the importance of reinvesting, diversifying, and building a reliable team. “If you want to see your company grow, you definitely need to keep as much money as you can in the business. It’s very important to find good staff, people you can trust and who see your vision. Having multiple sales channels, not just sitting and waiting for customers to come to you, you need to get in front of the customers,” explains Ryan.
Not deterred by those who told him ‘retail is dying’, Ryan’s advice for fellow high-street retailers is to have something that makes you unique. “I think the difference we have is we provide more of an experience. You can come into the store and see things you wouldn’t normally be able to see.” In fact, the store has been so popular that Ryan has plans to open another branch in Central London.
As an FSB member, Ryan has been able to access support every step of the way. From saving over 40% on insurance premiums with FSB Insurance Service, to accessing employment and health and safety documents and templates on the FSB Legal Hub, Ryan has been making the most of his FSB membership to help him run his business. “Being a small business owner, it’s hard to know what to expect, and having FSB by our side makes things a little bit easier,” says Ryan.
Want support for your business like Ryan? Join the Federation of Small Businesses today.