How I started an online TV channel without funding or equipment

Name: Rudolf Brenyah
Company: Unashamed TV
Started in: 2015
Company description: An online media broadcasting channel focusing on Christian acts and helping them to break into the mainstream media via high quality video production and marketing.

Describe your start-up barrier:

When I started Unashamed TV, my main obstacle was being unemployed with no money and no equipment. It is unusual for someone to start a broadcasting channel without a camera and lights!

What were the practical steps you took to obtain equipment and raise finance?

No excuses – only results: The fact that I was unemployed with no money to start my business did not stop me from achieving my vision. The first step I took was weighing up my options – I did not want to give myself any excuses as to why it couldn’t be done.

Look around and you will see: I was thinking hard about how to create Unashamed TV and it instantly hit me – appreciate what you have already and stop focusing on what you do not have (i.e. funding and equipment). I contacted people I knew who had access to the required kit and asked them if they wanted to be part of the Unashamed TV story. Every single person I contacted kindly agreed to join me on this exciting journey and that was the birth of the channel.

Connecting with The Prince’s Trust: I was advised by a media mogul to get in touch with The Prince’s Trust. He explained to me how they help young entrepreneurs to establish their businesses. So, for the past few months, I have worked closely with The Prince’s Trust and with their support I have developed the legal and organisational structure to allow my business to grow and my own business skills to be enhanced.

What was the outcome?

Unashamed TV has now received over 30,000 views on YouTube with only word-of-mouth marketing to date. We are already one of the leading Christian online broadcast channels in the UK. Also the brand Unashamed TV is now trademarked and protected through intellectual property.

What three key questions should entrepreneurs ask themselves while seeking funding?

1. Who is your target audience? Identify a niche and research it thoroughly before committing.
2. Before taking out loans, consider if you know anyone who can voluntarily help your company at an early stage.
3. Is your brand fully protected? Secure intellectual property and trademark ownership before investing too deeply.

What one piece of advice would you offer to aspiring business owners?

For young entrepreneurs starting out, my advice is to look for experienced business mentors and organisations such as The Prince’s Trust; they will help you during the early stages of your business without imposing their ideas.

Is there anything you would do differently?

It may sound like a cliché but honestly, I would not do anything differently because this what makes my story interesting and relatable to people in a similar situation. I believe I am on track to maximise the opportunity that I identified.

Website: www.unashamedtv.com