I am delighted to announce that, as of this morning, our podcast is officially average. This is because the average show publishes a total of 14 episodes and that is what Will and I have done with the latest instalment of Socially Unacceptable. Despite that fun fact today we delve into an interesting business story, one that’s as unconventional as it is inspiring. I think this story shows you can take any product and disrupt a market if you work hard and are clever about it.
Imagine having a market void of established brands with an expanse of unbranded products – this sounds appealing, right? This is the landscape that Jack Sutcliffe, the founder of Power Sheds, entered when he decided to disrupt the shed industry.
In this episode, Jack unveils the journey from the inception of Power Sheds to its notable ascent as the 20th fastest-growing company in the UK all from my home region of sunny Yorkshire.
What’s their secret strategy? A concoction of a clever modular design that makes sheds easy to deliver and assemble, an unwavering commitment to sustainability, and some astute marketing manoeuvres despite the fact he has no marketing department.
Power Sheds didn’t just enter the unbranded shed scene; they entered with a fresh perspective. Jack’s vision of building a brand in a commodity market turned heads and proved to be a game-changer in his sector. This approach not only helped them stand out but also propelled them into rapid growth.
Building a brand isn’t merely about putting a logo on a product; it’s about delivering quality. Power Sheds took customer feedback seriously, addressing every concern and refining their product carefully. Their dedication to customer satisfaction seems to have played a pivotal role in their meteoric rise making them the shed brand of choice in the UK.
Marketing sheds isn’t your run-of-the-mill gig, and Jack spilt the beans on their secret sauce. From pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to social media blitzes and even TV spots, they’ve left no stone unturned. Establishing a robust online presence, especially on Facebook, has been a key driver of their success.
However, they didn’t stop at just selling sheds. Power Sheds created a thriving community for allotment enthusiasts, boasting a whopping 120,000 members. Smart move, right an online community? It’s all about connecting with customers on a deeper level, fostering brand loyalty, and securing repeat business.
Customer reviews are the lifeblood of any business, and Power Sheds gets it. They prioritise excellent customer service, swiftly addressing issues. Jack’s philosophy is that the best reviews come from fixing things when they go awry, showcasing their commitment to their customers.
Power Sheds decided to launch in Germany before Ireland. Why? A strategic partnership with a timber forestry group paved the way for European domination. It’s a testament to his and their forward-thinking approach and their determination to disrupt this market.
Power Sheds’ story is a testament to the triumvirate of innovation, strategic planning, and a customer-focused ethos. They’ve transformed an unbranded market into a thriving, brand-driven industry, setting the bar high for fellow entrepreneurs and businesses itching to shake up their own domains.
It makes for a fascinating examination of a sector that needed disruption. Let me know what you think in the comments.
Subscribe to the pod here: https://www.sociallyunacceptable.co.uk/
Chris Norton is the founder of Prohibition and an award winning communications consultant with more than twenty years’ experience. He was a lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and has had a varied PR career having worked both in-house and in a number of large consultancies. He is an Integrated PR and social media blogger and writes on a wide variety of blogs across a huge amount of topics from digital marketing, social media marketing right through to technology and crisis management.
