Insight

Delving into the dynamic world of London’s digital marketing landscape, we recently sat down with Daniel Tannenbaum, Founder of Dan Tan Digital. In this exclusive interview, Daniel shares how his agency is not only redefining SEO and digital strategy for competitive markets but also empowering businesses to achieve remarkable online growth.

Can you tell us the story behind the launch of Dan Tan Digital? What inspired you to start the company?

Dan Tan Digital is an SEO agency specialising in getting websites and clients to the top of Google searches (and, in some cases, down Google). As a result, I have had the privilege of working with more than 1,000 companies over 10 years, ranging from startups and one-person operations to managing high-level campaigns for Groupon, Betway and McDonald’s – as well as a host of prominent politicians.

Before that, I worked in a startup for 3 years and always enjoyed visiting the agencies they worked with. In particular, I loved how they presented their work, the challenges they were given and the whole atmosphere – which made me realise this was the right environment for me.

At the age of 25, I started as an SEO freelancer. I slowly built up jobs, and after a year, I found myself inundated with enquiries.

What makes your services stand out in such a competitive digital marketing landscape?

Fundamentally, I am against the agency model that dominates digital marketing today. 

Firstly, the idea that you have to build up a large office and a team adds significant pressure to delivering a quality service, therefore you have to charge clients more, justify the work and use account managers with less experience. As a result, it becomes some crazy treadmill and rat race trying to serve clients, bill them and find new ones to meet your unnecessary overheads.

In contrast, Dan Tan Digital comprises a small team and I act as the account manager for every client – meaning you are not working with a 21 year old that has just finished school; instead, you are getting the highest level of expertise possible within the organisation.

Moreover, we are committed to fair pricing. While agencies in our space charge upfront fees for 3 to 6 months and require a 12 month commitment, we want to empower the client, with flexible contracts that start with a trial and are rolling each month. 

Finally, we do not charge any upfront fees, there are no early exit fees or notice period – because our values stand out; we operate with fairness and transparency. In fact, I am yet to meet another agency that comes anywhere near this level of value and proposition.

What types of businesses or industries do you love working with the most — and why?

I really love working in finance, particularly when it comes to both B2C and B2B. To begin with, I started my career in investment banking and developed a strong interest in the business side of finance.

But above all, we have developed a tremendous track record for getting websites to the top of Google for products such as bridging finance and anything related to loans. Categorically, I would say that I have the best track record in the whole of the UK and have the most competitive rates.

Could you share one success story or milestone that you’re particularly proud of?

Certainly, despite my expectations of running an SEO business would be very isolated, being such a specialist in this area has led to me to consult and work alongside Lord Sugar for 7 years, David Cameron and Rishi Sunak. 

Today, I am working with the Ministry of Defence and working with war heroes and veterans – it’s something I would never have imagined.

But some milestones I am particularly proud of include building HolocaustMatters.org which millions of people visit each year, making it the UK’s leading Holocaust education resource and building my own personal website Pheabs.com into one of the biggest online brokers for personal finance.

Why did you choose the Brentano Suite Elstree as your base? What drew you to that location?

The Brentano Suite Elstree has a great energy, Its recent refurbishment really impressed me, and it seems to attract a number of very professional and like-minded individuals within the Hertfordshire area.

There is a very good energy in the place, which helps people feel excited about work and be creative in their surroundings. You only have to think about people like Jill Lynch who are so passionate about the office and set a superb tone of a welcoming and comfortable environment.

What’s next for Dan Tan Digital? Any exciting plans for the future?

I am a big fan of building my own sites and propositions and finding out how we can pair these with our clients. I am currently working on Rosca Technologies, a cyber security lead generator which passes on leads to our cybersecurity clients and also TechNational which passes on enquiries to clients through targeted content.

To find out more about Dan Tan Digital, head to their website here.

At The Brentano Suite, we provide high-quality serviced office spaces across North London and Hertfordshire, tailored to businesses of all sizes. Our comprehensive services include meeting room hire, mail handling, and more — all designed to create a seamless and professional working environment.

Take a look at our video tours to explore our locations and discover how The Brentano Suite can support your business.

Exploring the vibrant landscape of London’s franchise industry, we sat down with Neda Nayyeri, the Managing Director of Perfect Link. Neda unveils how Perfect Link is carving out a niche in the food franchising world with innovative strategies and unique concepts.

Could You Give Us An Overview Of Perfect Link And Your Journey So Far?

I joined Perfect Link about a year ago, a few months after it started, as Managing Director. Our focus has been on developing two unique brands that we plan to expand across London and Europe. We’ve also got the territory rights for a renowned Dubai-based brand, making us a key player in the London market. Our goal is to connect promising high turnover franchise opportunities with the right individuals.

What Kind Of Franchise Opportunities Is Perfect Link Known For?

Our spotlight is on the food industry, where we’re creating unique concepts. We’ve developed an exclusive ice cream brand that’s a first in London. It’s still early days, but the response has been incredible so far. We already have people expressing interest in owning one of our franchises. I’ve been involved in the food industry myself for about eight years, and my business partner brings in about 40 years of business experience, including owning food kiosks in Dubai. 

What Sets Perfect Link Apart In The Franchise Field?

We believe in making each franchise an immersive and entertaining experience. Our concepts go beyond being just food outlets; they’re unique attractions. The equipment we use, the way we present our products – everything is tailored to create a unique, entertaining experience for our customers. We’re constantly innovating and brainstorming new ideas and we regularly have people coming to our office, eager to discuss potential ventures and investment opportunities.

Has The Brentano Suite Played A Part In Your Recent Growth?

Absolutely! The impact has been immense. We moved into the Brentano Suite just a few months ago and it quickly felt like home to us. Finding a stable location to work in the past was a constant challenge, but since moving here we’ve experienced a dramatic shift. 

The flexibility at the Brentano Suite is something that a lot of serviced offices don’t give you. A week ago, we signed with management to take over another office room next door. Sandra at reception has been incredibly helpful in finding solutions if we ever need anything. The kind of support and adaptability is invaluable for us, especially when we are hosting important meetings with multiple guests. 

Does Your Team Live Locally To The Office?

Yes we do. Most of our team, including the directors, live close by, so being in Finchley is really convenient. At lunchtime, I might often pop home to check on my dog and come back. After moving around a lot in the past to different office spaces, we’ve finally found the perfect spot. 

What’s On The Horizon For Perfect Link?

We’re excited about expanding our team and showcasing our brands at major business expos in Guangzhou, China, and London’s Excel Center. Establishing our food store locations in London is our primary goal, and we’re also keen on attracting more investors to work on growing our innovative ideas. 

To find out more about Perfect Link, head to their website here.

At The Brentano Suite, we offer serviced office suites for companies across Northwest London and Hertfordshire, including meeting room hire, mail handling, and more. Have a look at our video tour to see inside our offices.

​​As a family business with a journey spanning over four decades, Gailarde’s story is one of growth and adaptation. Jonny Levy shares insights into the company’s journey, working with family and their exciting plans for the future.

Can You Start By Introducing Yourself And Your Company?

Sure, I’m the Managing Director of Gailarde. We are a family business that was founded 45 years ago by my father-in-law. The business has experienced significant growth over the years. I joined the business almost three years ago, shifting from a legal background to a leadership role.

Your Core Business is in Wholesale Textile Supply, Correct?

Our core business is the supply of textiles, homeware, soft furnishings and furniture to the hospitality, education and healthcare sectors. We’re proud to be an approved supplier to the NHS. In recent years, we’ve also expanded into the direct to consumer market with three e-commerce retail brands.

It Seems Like You Have A Substantial Team. How Many Employees Do You Have?

We currently employ about 70 people across the business; that’s a mix of office staff, salespeople and warehouse personnel. In November 2022 our Head Office team moved into The Brentano Suite, whilst our warehouse team moved into our state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution centre in Cambridgeshire.    

How Has It Been Working Within A Family Business? I’m Sure It Has Its Challenges!

My background was in law for over 20 years, so transitioning into a more commercial role within the family business was a change. I now work alongside my two brothers-in-law, Ben and Dan, who serve as joint CEOs, as well as my father-in-law, Richard. We all get along really well, and having different perspectives within the family is very beneficial. We often have multiple opinions on issues, which leads to productive discussions and better decision-making. Overall, it’s been a great experience.

What Is It That Sets Gailarde Apart From Others In Your Industry?

We are a true family business, and the close-knit atmosphere extends to our employees, some of whom have been with us for decades. Sustainability is another area where we excel; we recently achieved a gold rating from EcoVadis, placing us in the top 5% of businesses in Europe in terms of sustainability.

Amazing! What Made You Decide To Move To The Brentano Suite?

We were previously based in Borehamwood and found ourselves outgrowing the space. Rent was rocketing and we needed to do something different, so we made the difficult decision to split up our warehouse from the office.

We wanted an office that reflected a more professional approach as the business grew. After looking at three or four different options in the area, The Brentano Suite was almost a no-brainer.

What Has Been The Biggest Difference Between The Brentano Suite And Your Previous Office?

The most significant difference is the increased level of professionalism. Our previous office space was fine but required a lot of regular maintenance. Here, everything is smart, neat, and tidy, creating a pleasant work environment. Additionally, the opportunity to interact with fellow tenants and use shared spaces like the kitchens adds to the overall experience.

That’s Great! What’s Next For Gailarde Limited?

In addition to growing our wholesale business, we’re excited to grow in the e-commerce space. We now have three online brands:  UniKitOut.com which supplies bedroom, bathroom and kitchen starter packs to students; cozelinen.com, which sells luxury home textiles to consumers; and our latest addition, noahsbox.com selling crafting kits.

To find out more about Gailarde, head to their website here. 

Here at The Brentano Suite, we offer serviced office suites for companies across Northwest London and Hertfordshire, including meeting room hire, mail handling, and more. Have a look at our video tour to see inside our offices.

Nicola Lander is the founder of Jigsaw Performing Arts School, a franchise-based performing arts school that offers classes for children aged 3-18 years old. In this interview, she shares how she got started with the business and what sets Jigsaw apart from its competitors.

Can You Start By Introducing Yourself And Your Company, Jigsaw?

Sure, I’m originally from Bristol and trained as an actress in London. I worked as an actor and teacher before setting up Jigsaw with a friend from drama school. We started with one school on a Sunday morning and now have 36 franchises mainly in London and the Southeast.

That’s Amazing! How Has The Business Grown Over The Years?

We started by running schools ourselves, but as the business grew, we employed managers and teachers to run the schools. By 2011, we had 22 schools with managers and teams in each school. It was all very organic. We also developed the classes to provide sessions for different age groups, focusing on dance, drama and singing. So the offering is quite diverse and our aim is to always help children build self-esteem and confidence through our classes. 

Sounds Great! When Did You Decide To Franchise The Business?

I decided to franchise in 2012 when I found out more about it and realised it could work if I found like-minded people who wanted to run their own theatre school. One of my current managers, Michael, in Wimbledon was my pilot franchisee, and we slowly opened more venues.

What Sets Jigsaw Apart From Its Competitors?

Jigsaw is less focused on big shows and venues and more focused on the children. We provide a place to belong for our students and prioritise kindness, authenticity, and community. As a franchisor, I’d say we are more nurturing than other franchise businesses and focus on finding the right people who share our values.

What Made You Decide To Move To The Brentano Suite And How Has It Helped You Adapt To The New Business Model?

We moved to The Brentano Suite because our previous office was so draining to manage, and after COVID we no longer needed such a large space as we changed to a hybrid way of working. I used to spend so much time worrying about the building, the electricity bills and how messy the alleyway outside our old office was. The Brentano Suite is a smart building, it’s near where we live and I love having access to a meeting room and kitchen stocked with tea and coffee. Being here really simplifies things and allows us to focus on running the business. 

What Are Your Plans For The Future Of Jigsaw?

Our aim is to continue opening three to five franchises a year and train up new franchisees. We will also hire an operations manager to work alongside me to oversee the whole business. As well as that, I am also a business and life coach and plan to do more coaching as I free myself up from running the day-to-day of Jigsaw.

To find out more about Jigsaw, head to their website here. 

Here at The Brentano Suite, we offer serviced office suites for companies across Northwest London and Hertfordshire, including meeting room hire, mail handling, and more. Have a look at our video tour to see inside our offices.

Less than 6 months ago, Private Medical Health Ltd struggled to find an office they were proud to call home. Now, founder David Levy is happier than ever with his small team based at the Brentano Suite in Elstree.

We sat down with David to chat about his business to date, his motivations for moving to the Brentano Suite and what the future holds for Private Medical Health Ltd.

Can You Tell Us A Little Bit About Private Medical Health?

As an independent Private Medical Insurance Broker, I advise Companies and Individuals on the best options for their private health insurance, which can typically be an overwhelming and confusing marketplace! It’s just myself and an admin support staff at the moment. We are FCA regulated advisors and we currently look after approximately 550 clients from Individuals to SMEs and Corporates.

That Sounds Exciting! What Do You Think Makes Your Company Unique?

What makes this business unique is our ethos and the importance we place on making all business personal. For me it’s not just about the sales, it’s always about the client. I approach all of our client relationships with passion and a personal touch. The business is built on diligence, honesty, and great advice, all done with a smile on our faces. That’s one of the reasons why The Brentano Suite is a great fit for the business, as the staff are focused on delivering great customer service too.

That’s Great To Hear! How Have Your Previous Places Of Work Been Compared To Working From The Brentano Suite?

When I started the business almost 7 years ago, I mostly worked from home. I realised I needed an office space as I was hiring a member of staff and wanted to separate my family life. Also operating a business from my home brought about difficulties with giving out my home address in a professional setting. I had a virtual office and post code in the city, but it wasn’t the most efficient.

After speaking to a couple of friends I came to The Brentano Suite and met with Jill and Suzie, the receptionists. Immediately I thought it was great and the rest is history. The receptionists really look after us by taking care of all postal services. We can access the office late into the evening and can come in on the weekend if we need to. They offer boardrooms to us for meetings and provide tea and coffee when clients or providers come in. Overall, the service you get is just fantastic, it’s like being at a 5-star hotel! 

That’s Amazing! Do You See Yourself Staying Here At The Brentano Suite Long-Term?

Definitely. The Brentano Suite gives me everything I’ll ever need as my business grows and I don’t think I’ll find anything better in the area.

I always said if I ever get an office, I want it to be local to me with parking. It’s so easy to get started and set up here. The ease of plug and play is great regarding connectivity.

So, What’s Next For Private Medical Health Ltd?

We have recently been authorised as an FCA regulated business so we’re now looking to see what growth opportunities arise from this. If we require additional hires, we will do this with the Brentano Suite by our side, thanks to the various sizes of office suites on offer here.

Read more about Private Medical Health Ltd get in touch with David here. 

To find out more about how The Brentano Suite can help your business to thrive, have a look at our video tour.

We recently sat down with Kiva, Business and Finance Manager at Educational Competencies Consortium (ECC) who are based out of The Brentano Suite in Whetstone. Kiva discussed the importance of working locally, and provide role analysis products, services and bespoke consultancy particularly around pay and grading. 

Can You Tell Us A Little Bit About ECC?

ECC offers HR expertise to more than 120 universities and colleges. We’re a small non-profit consortium with 8 employees founded in 1997, and are governed by a board of directors who mainly come from our membership organisations.  The consortium was formed specifically to develop and deliver effective job evaluation solutions within the education sector.  Our core product is a role evaluation methodology called ‘HERA’ and software called ECC Online.

Can You Tell Us What HERA Looks Like In More Detail?

Sure, HERA, stands for Higher Education Role Analysis. It’s a competency-based tool based around a questionnaire of 50 questions based on 14 comprehensive elements.  We train people how to use the methodology to score the job roles within their institutions. The idea is for our members to pay for work of equal value. It creates fair, transparent role evaluation to fit in with the members pay and grading structures. We’ve evolved it into a bespoke digital software to support our members.

What Do You Think Makes The Company Unique?

We’re totally unique in what we do as we’re tailored specifically for the Higher Education sector. Within the sector we work with various universities and colleges, such as the Russell Group universities, some very small colleges and a private school.

Is Your Full Team Based At The Brentano Suite?

I’m the only person here in the London office! Everybody else is home-based all over the country. For example, my boss is based in Dundee.

How Have You Found Working At The Brentano Suite?

The staff are just so helpful if you need anything at all. We’ve got the meeting room downstairs which is very useful. It’s great for me because I can talk to other tenants in offices around me. It’s a little community as such, even though our roles and businesses are totally different things!

“The Brentano Suite really works for me. I haven’t had any problems; the staff are very accommodating, and the people make it feel like a little community within itself.”

Is Having a Serviced Office Local To You Important?

Yes, I’m only a 10-minute walk away so it’s been brilliant! For me it’s great because I don’t have to get the tube and I can run home at lunchtime if I need to, so the whole setup is just perfect.

Also being in a serviced office means I don’t have to worry about telephones and utilities because that’s all part of the package.

Seems Like The Perfect Fit! What Have You Got Planned In The Near Future At ECC?

We’re constantly developing new services for our members. One of the big issues now within the sector is the cost-of-living crisis. We’re developing a tool to restructure pay scales at universities because the lower end of pay scales aren’t fit for purpose anymore.

I’m also scaling the team, looking to recruit a new support staff member to work alongside me at The Brentano Suite.

 To find out more about ECC, head to their website here.

Here at The Brentano Suite, we offer serviced office suites for companies across Northwest London and Hertfordshire, including meeting room hire, mail handling, and more. Have a look at our video tour to see inside our offices.

Finchley tenant Costas Michael, director of Balance Books, sat down to tell us about their unique approach to accounting and how they chose a hybrid working model at The Brentano Suite.

Hi Costas, Can You Tell Us What Balance Books Offers?

Balance Books specialises in bookkeeping, VAT returns, VAT advisory work, management accounts, and also budgets and forecasts.

We’re generalists. We work mainly with SMEs in the UK, everything from ship brokers to grocers, right across the board.

So, What Makes Your Company Different?

The accounting profession, as a whole, feels quite reactive; everyone is pushing to get everything done. But proactivity is where we excel. We make processes easy, speaking to our clients regularly; communication is vital.

Of course, we do the usual things, bookkeeping, VAT returns, and all that has to be correct. That’s a given, whoever the client goes to. But we also go through the figures with our clients to help them make sound business decisions. Beyond the basics, for 70%-80% of our clients we go on to use core processing to prepare management accounts or forecasts.

We’re also very tech focused. We don’t deal with a bag of receipts! It’s online accounting packages and apps.

Who’s In Your Team?

There are six of us based in the Finchley branch. We moved here about a year and a half ago. We used to be in Finchley central in a much bigger office, which we shared with Balance Books’ sister company.

Through our experiences during the pandemic, we realised we didn’t need such a big office. So, we looked to downsize and decided to implement a hybrid model.

The office is smaller here, and it suits us perfectly.

Can You Tell Us What Your Hybrid Model Looks Like?

So, we’re effectively on a rota. We thought about, based on our business requirements, how often we need to be physically in the same location.

It took time to adjust to the various changes, but now the team loves it. It’s the best of both worlds. As long as you have the right communication channels in place to get the work done as you need to, hybrid working suits our needs perfectly!

Does A Serviced Office Work Well For A Hybrid Company?

Yes! We were in a ‘normal’ office before. You have the keys and manage it yourself. But, of course, not everybody had keys and could go in as and when. It meant picking them up from someone and spending time organising things.

The serviced office works with key-codes and number pads. It’s very easy for the team to go in as needed. It’s really helped!

How Is Being At The Brentano Suite Different From Other Offices?

It’s very bright, clean, and modern. That fits with our culture. We’re a dynamic, tech-focused team.

The Brentano Suite is night and day compared with where we were before! Clients comment on that, too. Everyone that comes to see us is amazed at how nice these offices are and that adds to the client’s experience with Balance Books.

The reception team are excellent. They deliver messages, post, and really help us out.

That’s Great! What’s Next For You?

Well, we’re growing steadily. We take on clients where we’re right for them and they’re right for us.

In terms of services, we’re going to start focusing on the budgeting and forecasting side of things. The last few years have brought what-if planning to the forefront of everyone’s minds. We really need best and worst-case scenarios for all our businesses.

Thank You For Meeting With Us Today! Anything Else To add?

Just to say that everyone at The Brentano Suite has just been great. I don’t have a bad word to say about any of it! Being here has really helped us adapt to hybrid working and has saved us money, too.

To find out more about how The Brentano Suite can help your business to thrive, have a look at our video tour.

Just less than a year ago, Allstar Crew were battling to find the balance between home and work while growing their new business. Now, they find themselves settled at the Brentano Suite and growing faster than ever.

Tenants Anthony and James sat down with us to chat about how their company has evolved, balancing family and business, and what the future holds.

Can You Tell Us A Little About Allstar Crew?

James: Of course. Allstar Crew supply skilled and unskilled labour across the events industry. We mainly work in the UK, but we do offer our services worldwide. We often work in areas like festivals, theatres, the TV and film industry, and even removals. This ranges from anything from installing Audio & Video to building bars and even erecting marquees. Just like the good old saying, no job too big or too small.

That Sounds Really Varied! How Do You Find Your Clients?

Anthony: Our clients come to us, usually! People have everything they need to get their project going apart from the team to install everything. For example, a company that hires out equipment might need a few people at their warehouse to load the trucks.

Or, a client might have a festival that needs to be built. They find production teams and suppliers for the equipment and then they get in touch with us for the labour. For instance, they might need ten people for three weeks to install everything. We can help.

Tell Us A Little About What Makes Allstar Crew Unique.

Anthony: There might be plenty of other companies that offer what we do, but we’ve spent a lot of time and effort on the company, and we know it works. I believe that first impressions are incredibly important.

James: Because we’re still relatively small, we can make the experience personable. We’ve won clients from bigger companies because we can take the time to make them feel important and stay flexible.

And How Did Your Business Start?

Anthony: We’ve actually been in the industry for 20 years combined. I’ve worked with, and for competitors, while James was freelancing. That showed him a different side of the industry, too. We started to get so much work that we couldn’t do it all ourselves. At first, we brought friends on board, but we soon realized it was something we could build as a business.

We still like to bring friends and family in. There’s a lot of work out there, but a lot of people don’t know where to find it. We’re lucky to be able to work with people we know and also find new talent to bring on board.

That Sounds Like A Nice Way To Grow The Business. Have You Always Been Based At The Brentano Suite?

James: Well, we started the business in January 2020…so at first, we did a lot from home. But as the company grew, it started to take over the house! We did some research to find somewhere we could call home. The Brentano Suite stood out and we’ve been here ever since.

How Has Your Experience Here Been?

James: The Brentano Suite makes life easier. There are things that I didn’t know I was missing until I got here.

For example, Sandra at reception takes the post, it’s open 24/7… it’s even nice just to walk past our neighbours in other offices and pop in to say hello. Having even a five-minute chat can make all the difference. It’s just easy. We also only live about 15 minutes away, which is ideal.

Is It Important To Have An Office Nearby For You?

James: Yeah, definitely. We might do office work, but if we can get to site and do jobs ourselves, we do.

Anthony: Me and James have families, too. Trying to sit on a laptop in a small flat with a one-year-old running around, nappies and bottles to deal with, as well as thirty or forty staff on site to manage…it was challenging.

So, the Brentano Suite has given us the opportunity to make work, work and make home, home. But we’re still very local to where we live and our families.

It Sounds Like The Brentano Suite Is A Great Fit!

James: Yes, definitely. There’s no stress or pressure, it’s just easy. Because it’s a serviced office, we don’t need to think about various bills and hosting visitors. There’s a parking space, too, which is important.

We just have more time to focus on the business. We pay one invoice a month, everything is sorted, so we can focus on the things that are important for us.

So, What Does The Future Look Like?

James: The calendar is looking very full! People hear about us through word of mouth. We’ve got so many festivals coming up this summer… we’re talking with TV and film companies. The growth is looking fantastic and we’re hoping to recruit a lot too.

So, if anyone’s looking for a job, we’re hiring!

To find out more about how The Brentano Suite can help your business to thrive, have a look at our video tour.

Read more about Allstar Crew on their website.

Elstree tenant Inndus isn’t the average printing company. With a remote team of eighty and a passion for solving their customers’ problems, they’ve designed everything from variable data journals to secure bookmarks. 

We caught up with Managing Director Sarita Menon to find out how Inndus works.

Hi Sarita! Can you tell us about how Inndus started?

Of course! Interestingly, before Inndus, I was cabin crew. When I finished, my friend and I sat down and identified a gap in the market for short runs of printed products.

This friend had been printing almost his whole life, so we put together his expertise in printing with my expertise in customer service to form Inndus together. This was in July 2013. 

We went from strength to strength, although that’s not to say it was easy by any means. But we worked from our strengths and took the time, strategized, and put in the hard work.

So, what does the company look like today?

Now, our team is made up of eighty people and we do everything from basic designing and print production to post-press foiling and embossing… and at the end we package the products before handing them over to our logistics partner for delivery

It sounds like you print a wide range of items!

Yes, we print almost everything! If somebody says to me “I can’t see this type of printing on your website”, then I’ll do my best to do it for them.

We regularly work on business stationery, marketing collateral, display items and personalized gifts.

Actually, one of the most interesting areas is variable data printing. Imagine you’re sending Christmas cards to your clients. Instead of painstakingly hand-writing each card, addressing them and putting them in the post, we create a branded Christmas card for you with your logo and details and each client’s name written in it, we also put them in an envelope for you with an address label on it, all you have to do is to put it in the post. Think of the incredible amount of time we have saved you.

How important is this personalization?

It makes such a difference. Now that people are beginning to recover from Covid, they want to reconnect with their customers. I’ve noticed a lot of companies asking for journals that feature their logo and their client’s name, adding that personalized touch. It’s fantastic!

Personalization sounds like a huge part of the business. Do you have any other examples?

Yes, it is! The other day, a customer wanted black invitation cards and asked us to print clear labels (instead of our usual white) so that it blended well into the black. We agreed, but when they were printed, the gum on the back of the label showed through. We, as a company, weren’t happy with it.

So, I chatted to the client and explained this. We then came up with the solution of printing the labels on black paper, which isn’t normally done. The Inndus team went out of our way to find the paper and sort the solution for our client.

That sounds great! Could you tell us a bit about running your business from The Brentano Suite?

Inndus has been here for just over 3 years. Before that, I was at a space that was very different. It made me appreciate The Brentano Suite so much more. Coming here was great – the quality, the décor, the atmosphere, lovely Jill sitting there with a smile and her positive attitude.

During COVID, I could see the effort that the team put in to maintain high standards and cleanliness. It really put me at ease and makes all the difference.

You mentioned having eighty employees, are they all in the office with you?

No, they’re not. The way our model works is that the printing is done abroad. We don’t outsource; it’s still our company but just based abroad. That helps me keep the price down and manage everything to bring the best for our customers, still using state of the art machinery. We’re premier partners with Xerox

This means I get parcels from around the world and the staff here (Brentano) manage it all so well. I get an email to let me know my mail has arrived. This might sound unimportant, but it’s not. The customer service and the little details make running a business so much easier.

So, how many of you are in the office?

At the moment, I’m the only one based here at The Brentano Suite. I’m like on a hotline connection for my Inndus team abroad. I speak to the customers and get the brief, which typically involves designing or printing. I then pass the brief on to my team who design it (if designing is necessary). I liaise with the customer who approves the draft, and then we proceed to print!

Tell us more about your USPs…

One of our big USPs is short runs. A lot of companies here aren’t interested in printing one hundred leaflets for a brand. Whereas we say to people, “don’t worry! We can work with you based on exactly what you need. We don’t like wastage either” We don’t compromise on quality, and we earn repeat customers.

We also ensure that the customer is the centre of everything.

Recently, we had a publishing house that wanted a bookmark. It sounds simple, but they wanted something unique. They wanted a bookmark that wouldn’t fall out of the book when it’s upside down. We folded it by two and put a magnet on either side – now it never falls out!

That sounds amazing. Do you have any other examples?

Absolutely! These are the sort of things we love doing. It’s not just a job, it’s our passion – we love innovating. For instance, foiling creates a lovely effect, but it’s not cost effective. So, during COVID, we invested in an iridescent machine which gives a similar beautiful finish but at a much more affordable price for our customers.

It’s what our customers wanted, and we found a way. It was a leap of faith for Inndus but it’s all working so well now!

Wow! So, what’s next for you?

We’re setting up a full B2C website for personalized items over the next few months – t-shirts, stationery, and so much more. That way, customers can get the products they want, in the quantity they choose, just by sitting at home. We haven’t had an e-commerce site before!

We’re also focusing on sustainability. We’re looking to partner with companies who use eco-friendly and recycled paper, who use products that are certified as sustainable and cruelty free. It’s so important!

I really care about what we have coming up, it’s all so exciting.

Here at The Brentano Suite, we offer serviced office suites for companies across North London, including meeting room hire, mail handling, and more. Have a look at our video tour to see inside our offices.

When The Brentano Suite resident Edina launched her brand-new business, LD Aesthetic Clinic, she didn’t know the pandemic was just months away. So, when lockdown one meant she had to shut her doors, she didn’t yet have a solid client base to fall back on.

Today, she’s transformed the business into a thriving hub of beauty and science. We caught up with Edina to find out her story and see how she’s getting on at The Brentano Suite.

How Did LD Aesthetic Clinic Begin?

Before launching, I spent about 25 years working in training and development. I helped global giants from the oil and gas industry build strategies and achieve their business goals. This experience has helped me a great deal in realising and managing LD Aesthetic Clinic, especially during one of the most challenging periods in our lifetimes.

Then, about five years ago, I had a personal health challenge. I managed to overcome it, but I decided to swap the big corporate boardroom for my clinic offering non-surgical, non-invasive beauty procedures and weight loss treatments.

That colossal change in direction was the obvious way forward for me. My great passion has always been microbiology and the science of body cells.

Can You Tell Us About How You Launched?

At this stage of my life, I did not feel I could devote a decade to medical studies. Instead, I turned to advanced training to gain knowledge and expertise in the field of aesthetics.

Despite many people around me saying I was foolish to leave stability and security, I launched LD Aesthetic Clinic in November 2019. I opened the doors of my dream business in January 2020…but then lockdown happened and we had to shut three months later.

Like for many other small businesses, this was devastating. Having made a huge investment in training and equipment, lockdown felt like a breath-taking blow.

That Must Have Been Especially Hard As A New Business.

Yes, the first lockdown was initially quite detrimental because LDA was a brand-new business and had no established client base.

Like everyone else, we closed our doors and locked up without even a faint light at the end of the tunnel. However, I didn’t give up. I started communicating regularly with a few existing clients and lots of potential clients via marketing and social media campaigns.

One of the promotions was “don’t worry about lockdown, eat what you like, do what you need to, and we’ll take care of your fat when restrictions are  lifted”. It was a hit! Our treatments are all about destroying unwanted fat and contouring the body.

Future bookings starting to trickle in and slowly it became a healthy flow.

What Is Business Like At The Moment?

It’s incredibly busy now! When I look in my diary, I haven’t got a single space available for weeks to come.

Wow! Any Secret Tips You Can Share?

Well, marketing and promotions are not simply an expense, they’re an investment when done properly. We use different market-leading platforms to advertise the business, such as Wowcher and Treawell. They provide a huge platform for a very, very wide marketplace.

I’d be more than happy to help other businesses utilise those in a way that works for them, if anybody wants to have a chat, feel free to call.

What Is It That Makes Your Business Special?

Understanding the uniqueness of our treatments and explaining that to the client. For any business, especially in the service industry, it’s all about customer service. It’s the time and attention you devote to clients in a transparent environment that makes the difference between a good business and an exceptional business.

So, when our clients come in for an aesthetic treatment, we make sure that education is part of it. We talk to them about how to get better results in the long run.

What Are Your Plans For This Year?

It’s more machines, more treatments, more people, and more treatment rooms. That’s the plan that I’m working towards and the vast majority of it should be realised by the end of the year. After that, it’s about growing the business in the same way.

I’m training a number of people, so the prospects for the business are growing. This year will be all about training and preparing others to join the business.

While prospective therapists need to perform the best treatments, it’s the additional side that makes the difference. It’s laying the values that I want LD Aesthetic Clinic to have, being all about clients. We have to provide the same level of service, no matter who performs it.

Then, there’s a whole array of technologies and equipment in this field. It will be good to work with a wider range of treatments that have instant results.

Where Does The Brentano Suite Fit Into LD Aesthetic Clinic?

Since I first started the business, it’s been a relationship made of magic. The Brentano Suite has been the difference between closing the business at the very beginning of the first lockdown and having a successful business today.

They were very flexible and understanding, and we came to an agreement so everybody could see the light at the end of the tunnel. They were willing to say, “don’t worry, we will support you and help you” and that made such a huge difference for me to carry on.

The other part is the customer service. As I said, it’s a key value of my business. Being on my own most of the time, it would be impossible for me to achieve the highest levels of customer service without additional support from The Brentano Suite. Also, the look and feel of the office environment is so luxurious and it’s incredibly well looked after.

It’s all part of the experience for my clients and it works like magic.

So, What’s Next For LD Aesthetic Clinic?

The idea is to stay with Brentano for as long as I possibly can. No matter what happens with the business, where I eventually expand into, I would like to keep my base here. Brentano is like a token of good luck! 

You can find out more about LD Aesthetic Clinic via their website.

To find out more about our tenants, have a look at our latest articles.