What large business can learn from the entrepreneurial world

Inspired Business on YouTube

Our Inspired Business podcast on YouTube with closed captions.

Who is Dean Jackson?

HUUB founder and owner Dean Jackson created the company in 2011 as a new sporting brand which utilised technology and research in the design of its clothing and accessories to deliver performance enhancing products. The initial focus was on wetsuits which are now sported by some of the world’s top triathletes, including Olympians Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.

This phenomenal success among elite and non-professional triathletes alike resulted in HUUB securing a 30% share of the UK wetsuit market in just five years and the company having a presence in 20 other countries. Their products have won best tri wetsuit brand of the year from 2013-2018, in addition to multiple best tri suit brand awards.

Coronavirus

Our podcast interviews were recorded before the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK. Following the outbreak, we asked our interviewees how the situation had affected them and their business. This is what Dean told us:

"We are learning every day how to adapt. We are not sitting on our hands. We are still trading. We are managing the business, trying to ensure we are ready to go when things get moving again. Paying staff is our priority and we are trying to look after suppliers as much as we can.

"And we have decided to do something positive. We’ve created our Better In Than Out cycling jersey and t-shirt and all profits are going to the NHS Charities Together. We wanted to do something, not for profit or glory, but just do something. Something positive. They need donations and the message really needs to be cemented: stay in, train sensibly, only do the essential shopping, look after others, and only go out for exercise and essential work."