After four years studying at Robert Gordon University (RGU), Erin Smith was ready to start a “new, exciting chapter” in her life.
But the anticipation was short-lived when she realised the struggle graduates face to find a job, a challenge that was intensified by the pandemic.
It was then she decided to take part in a two-week crash course on entrepreneurship.
Fast forward two years and the 24-year-old is now the owner of thriving video production company Pink Spyhnx Media.
The business offers a service helping customers communicate to their target audience through video via social media content, commercials, online content or short films.
Lack of jobs available
Ms Smith, who graduated with a bachelor of arts honour degree in media, said: “Coming up for my last year I was super focused on my dissertation but it did dawn on me that I should start looking for a job.
“But at the time it was when the pandemic hit and that was the end of it, the job hunting was on hold.
“But when I was looking instead of jobs going up they were coming down.
“Jobs were there a few days ago but disappeared because people weren’t hiring.
“After four years at university, which is a long time, it was pretty sad to see.
“It was disappointing because you do work so hard for something and it’s a new chapter in your life.
“You are so excited to get out and get a job to start a new career but there was just nothing.”
‘Plucked up the courage’
Upon completing her dissertation, Ms Smith wondered what her next step would be and enrolled on a two-week RGU first time entrepreneur course.
She said: “What I really liked about it was that it was just a step-by-step to do list in chapters.
“I found I’d gone through all the modules and got to the final step which was sign up with Companies House.
“I’d done all the background work without giving it a thought and I got positive feedback throughout the course.
“So I sat on it for a few weeks and everyone was saying I wouldn’t lose anything if I don’t try it so I plucked up the courage to go for it.
“Now two years later it’s pretty mind blowing where I’m at.”
Wide range of clients
Ms Smith has worked with a number of clients so far including RGU, Samaritans, NFU Scotland, NovaBiotics and VSA.
Starting up the business in October 2020 saw her working in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “The Covid-19 pandemic challenged so many businesses and I was worried about starting up during the strange times, but I thought ‘I will never know unless I try’.
“I had to adapt to Covid-19 much like everyone else. I had to carry out communications and pre-production planning with clients virtually over video chat services instead of meeting them face to face in a coffee shop, which I would have much rather preferred.”
Ambitions for the future
The main aim for the future is for Ms Smith is to continue to expand.
She said: “I want to keep growing.
“I like the idea of trying to make Aberdeen a space for creative people and an area where video and film can be accessible because there wasn’t a lot of that when I was younger.
“There’s a huge opportunity to set something up like that in Scotland.
“Hopefully I’ll also make a feature film at some point. It’s always been something I’ve thought about.”
Conversation