A recent graduate of Falmouth University has kickstarted her fashion business after launching a print version of her successful online fashion magazine ‘Atlas’, with prestigious London-based retailer Selfridges is now stocking the new title.

Olivia Bossert has launched her business with a fellow graduate Megan Breukelman who lives in America along with start-up support from Unlocking Potential.

Olivia said: "I never knew I wanted to start my own business, it kind of just happened. I knew I wanted to work in magazines, what could be better than working for my own."

After launching ‘Atlas’ online, Olivia and Megan used a Kickstarter campaign to produce a printed version of the magazine, and within six days they achieved the funds required.

Olivia credits Unlocking Potential’s Start-up bootcamp as having a hugely positive impact on their business.

Olivia has worked with Unlocking Potential during the three day intensive bootcamp for start-ups and has benefited from subsequent training and support covering marketing, sales, finance and operations giving her the tools to run the business.

Managed by Plymouth University and Cornwall College, Unlocking Potential is funded by ESF and ERDF to help business develop and people grow. 

Olivia added: ‘It’s very exciting that we are in it together because starting something new is a bit scary. You can approach them with a problem that you don’t know how to solve and they will help you figure out what to do.’

In the past two years, Atlas’s nine online editions have been viewed more than a million times.

Businesses looking for support while they start up can visit unlocking-potential.co.uk for more information about the next bootcamp in February 2015.