This month we spoke to Irina Protasova, co-founder at NoFrames!

NoFrames | LinkedIn

Hey! Tell us about your business.

We are the only B2B digital marketing agency for tech companies in Scotland and our unique approach sets us apart from the crowd. Founded by two experienced growth marketers, we empower ambitious companies to launch, scale and grow, and make their presence felt internationally.

What drove you to start your business?

My co-founder and I have had over 5 years proven success in spearheading marketing for many innovative tech start-ups from early stage to scaling, growth and exit, as well as within global brands. When the pandemic started, we knew what we should do to help companies survive and keep ourselves busy in our home offices. We’ve done it so often that we know where the dips are and how to generate the momentum that will get them back up on top.

What particular challenges did you have to overcome in setting up your business, and since then?

We had several challenges when starting our own first business. In the very beginning, we needed to ensure some cash flow by securing funding, but it was hard to know where to get cash for our business idea. We researched the types of funding open to us and were accepted to Strathclyde Inspire, where we got funding as well as an office space.

Later, we recognised the challenge to facilitate the high growth potential whilst maintaining day-to-day operations in the early stage of the business. Therefore, we focused on building a robust B2B client pipeline in the first year, establishing internal processes to ensure future growth and sustainability of the company. We also formed a pool of freelancers for content creation and employed 5 young professionals via the Kickstart Scheme later on.

The most recent challenge we faced was managing our remote teams during the pandemic. We adopted Microsoft Teams as our main communication tool, established structured daily check-ins, and organised remote social interactions like virtual office parties.

Why did you choose The Accountancy Partnership?

Because of the excellent service and value for money! Working with a remote accountant may worry some, but we were pleasantly surprised by how brilliantly it keeps things in shape. They compete and submit our returns and the Pandle software provided is simple to use.

Have we helped you overcome any challenges, and if so, how?

You’re the first ever accounting firm we’ve worked with, and we really appreciate how supportive you’ve been. Our accountant is knowledgeable, always quick to respond, and clear with their answers when we have questions.

What do you have planned for your business in future?

NoFrames is based in Glasgow, Scotland, however, we are currently focused on widening our presence across the UK. We believe our wider presence, particularly in London (which is truly a hub of British tech), will benefit both companies located in the region and professionals who are looking for jobs in the creative industry.
 
Learn more about our online accounting services for businesses just like Irina’s. Call 020 3355 4047 or get an instant online quote.