A 17-year-old entrepreneur has set up a new business in
Derby’s St Peters Quarter and already has a growing worldwide following of
technology fans eager for his views on the latest smartphones available.
Darren Dunn, a former pupil of Derby Moor school in
Littleover, has set up YourGadgetGuide alongside national newspaper journalist
Patrick Griffin (48) – providing independent video reviews and news on the
latest mobile phone developments for consumers through his website and online
channels such as You Tube.
Having developed the business at his Derby home, Darren and
Patrick have recently moved into city centre offices at Sitwell House on the
corner of Babington Lane and Sitwell Street to pave the way for expansion and
to take on further staff.
Darren explained that consumers were increasingly looking
online to find out more about the latest smartphone technology.
“Smartphones are becoming the new status symbols but
consumers are fickle and get bored of their phones easily so manufacturers are
constantly coming up with new technology and features to tempt us all to
upgrade.
“Rather than an aggressive hard well, consumers want to know
the ins and outs of the new smartphones from someone who has independently
tried them out before they purchase without being bamboozled with the reams of
industry jargon.
“In my online videos I aim to give an honest and independent
appraisal of how the different features work in a way that is easy for the
average person to understand.”
Darren continued: “I love technology and particularly mobile
phones and there are sites which offer reviews but they are rarely independent
and are not delivered in a user-friendly way.
“So far we have 400,000 website views and over one million
You Tube views of our reviews so things are really taking off and Patrick and I
are now full time in the business and wanted a city centre location right here
in Derby where so much is happening.
“We are extremely proud
of our business roots and, in our latest video we are reviewing aspects of the
Samsung Galaxy S4 and showing people how to recognise QR codes – demonstrating
this with the St Peters Quarter loyalty app and showcasing this area that we
are part of to a worldwide audience.”
Like most online businesses, YourGadgetGuide generates
income through advertising and sponsorship but Darren is being highly selective
with this funding stream to ensure that his independence is maintained.
“There are reviewers out there who accept money to endorse a
product but that would really compromises our integrity which is crucial to the
future growth of the business.
“We have therefore teamed up with another local business,
Alfreton based retailer Buymobilephones.net who sponsor Derby County, who
supply us with the phones that we review and sponsor the online videos because we
are confident with their business practice.”
Another key aspect of the business is to circulate breaking
news to website and social media followers and, as the smartphone industry is
largely based in the USA – Darren and Patrick are often to be found in the
24-hour accessed offices - researching and updating their website in the middle
of the night to keep track of developments.
Patrick, who has worked as a journalist, largely with
national newspapers, for 30 years, said: “We were really proud to be one of the
first to cover the story about the first Apple computer going to auction and
even beat the New York Times to online publication which was a real coup.
“I first started talking to Darren on the internet and
started working together remotely until the time was right for me to move here
from Belfast where I was freelance to work on Your Gadget Guide full time.
“Working with Darren is really refreshing as he is full of
ideas and is a true entrepreneur. Whilst
most young people are concentrating on enjoying themselves, Darren’s mantra is
that he is sacrificing things in his life today so that he can have a life that
others can only dream of in the future.
“It is really commendable that he is devoting this time to establishing
and growing the business in this tough climate and we make a good team –
bringing our different skills to provide a high quality and reputable service
to consumers using the latest technology.”
Darren continued: “Working in a job that you love is
everybody’s dream and I am very excited about the prospects for Your Gadget
Guide and keen to expand and give others, particularly young people, the chance
to work here.
“Word is getting out about the business. We are growing our following day by day and I
am very excited about the future.”
Stephen Jeffery who is chair of the St Peters Quarter board,
which drives forward activities under the area’s Business Improvement District
status, said: “We are delighted that YourGadgetGuide has given the St Peters
Quarter loyalty app such a high profile in their latest online review and hope
that this encourages more people to come to Derby and particularly visit
businesses in this area.”
The St Peters Quarter app is currently free to download from
www.stpetersquarter.co.uk and
enables smartphone users to benefit from a wide range of special offers from
local businesses.
For online smartphone reviews, visit www.yourgadgetguide.net
ends
Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332
515102/07951 945665; sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk
