Who are you?

I am Angela Prentner-Smith, founder and Managing Director of This is Milk.

What does your business do?

This is Milk is a business change and transformation consultancy.

We are a growing team of business specialists with expertise in change and project delivery, marketing, human resources, user experience, service design and innovation.

We are here to help your company change, learn and grow.

Where are you based?

Within the Orkney Street Enterprise Centre in Glasgow.

How did you get started?

It was mostly in cafes, the Glasgow Art Club, at home or anywhere else we could chat and work.

The company was founded by Gillian Souter and me as we felt the industry needed to change.

We wanted to make things better and bring the expertise we had amassed to a wider customer base.

What is your background?

I have a mixed background with over 15 years of experiences in customer service, change and transformation programmes, service design and business analysis.

However I also dropped out of art school twice and have a first class degree in History of Art from Glasgow University.

What is your top business tip?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

And remember the world was built by idealists, so don’t be afraid to stick to your ideals.

How long has your business been running?

I had a baby in March 2014 and decided to really start grafting at This is Milk in March 2015.

Has anyone helped you get started and how?

I’ve had support from Business Gateway, Jobs and Business Glasgow and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. Business Gateway helped with my business plan, cash flow forecasting and grant applications.

I also attended quite a few of the courses, which were really helpful.

What was your first deal?

Ufiit which is owned by a personal trainer with massive ambitions.

We’re helping him by auditing his appeal, branding, user experience and online presence, and remediating to improve his sales.

What was your biggest mistake/or what would you do differently? I wish I had decided to bootstrap earlier.

I spent a lot of time thinking I needed lots of money when I didn’t.

Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

I have two official mentors - Alina Martin CEO of Danatec, and Leah Hutcheon, owner of Appointedd.

My inspirations are typically Richard Branson and Isadora Duncan, arguably the inventor of modern dance and an early female entrepreneur.

I love her trailblazing disregard for convention.

Where do you plan your business to be in five years’ time?

I’d like to have a team of 15 with two offices in Scotland.

We will be positioned well in the market and our brand will recognisable as a strong choice for business.

Useful contacts

Business Gateway Glasgow www.bgateway.com/glasgow / 0141 530 2405

Jobs and Business Glasgow www.jbg.org.uk

Contact Details

Angela.Prentner-Smith@thisismilk.co.uk

www.thisismilk.co.uk