Creative Works member Marco Strillozzi met Creative Works’ manager Elena Giroli a few years ago – before Creative Works even opened – while volunteering for TEDx in London.
The pair kept in touch. Following the lockdown, Elena messaged Marco to see if he was interested in renting a desk for his business. And the rest is history! Well, sort of.
To find out more about why Marco chose Creative Works, and to learn more about his exciting new venture, Klu, we grabbed a cuppa and sat down with him for a chat.
Why Creative Works?
“I was at another workspace when Elena got in touch,” says Marco.
“It was a really nice space but they were very focused on larger businesses, and prioritised offices as opposed to supporting independent freelancers.
“This is one of the benefits of Creative Works: it’s focused on supporting smaller businesses and individuals to have their own space, and network with other professionals.”
After a week of hotdesking in 2021, Marco signed up for a full-time desk space. He enjoyed the interaction – having, like many of us, been confined to his home during the lockdown.
Here’s what Marco says he likes best about Creative Works:
- The physical space: it’s light and open
- The people: there are skilled professionals from a range of industries
- The Big Creative Education apprenticeship partnership (more on that later).
What is Strillobyte?
Founded by Marco in 2014, Strillobyte is a software startup specialising in programming and building chatbots, mobile applications and websites.
Before setting up his business, Marco worked as a Research and Development Manager for a software company. So what prompted him to take the plunge into self-employment?
“I was managing a team of developers and it was very busy, but I felt like I was getting stuck in a place. I wanted to do something more meaningful,” Marco explains.
“My friend and I had some ideas for things we wanted to try out as a startup. I set up Strillobyte as a way to go into contracting so that I could be more flexible.
“The startup didn’t work out and I started taking more contract roles. I’ve always tried to work with more clients at the same time as opposed to taking on full time contracts. It’s more interesting for me because I get to work on more diverse problems.”
Eventually, Marco became involved with Social Enterprise UK and used his expertise to build software for social enterprise startups.
Then the pandemic hit and budgets were cut. Fortunately for Marco, Strillobyte had a couple of corporate contracts to fall back on. And it was during the Covid lockdown that he built Klu.
So, what is Klu?
Go on…give us a Klu!
Klu is like a portal that connects the physical world to the digital one.
You use the app to create a QR code. This can be placed on any surface, from posters to packaging, birthday cards to bananas (if you’re feeling particularly experimental).
When your intended audience – whether it’s one of your friends or anyone who happens to pass by your Klu on the street – scans the QR code, they are whisked to a piece of content that you have curated, such as a video or article. This content is hosted on the Klu app.
During the lockdown, Marco used Klu to interact with friends and family at Christmas, sticking QR codes linked to video messages onto cards and presents.
This proved successful, and he wanted to develop and promote Klu more. However, like many business owners, he lacked the time.
“I asked Elena if there was any way to find students to help me create content for the app, and she put me in touch with the apprenticeship team at BCE.
“They explained the apprenticeship scheme and it sounded very interesting. There’s government funding and it’s a relatively small investment for a small business.”
Marco hired two apprentices: Joshua and Louise.
“I like the fact that through my work I can support young people. It’s about finding a balance between the objective of their course and what I need from them.”
Josh has been working on producing graphics and videos for Klu.
Louise is focusing on marketing strategy and social media, and is conducting market research on competitors. As part of their courses, both Josh and Louise need to prepare a portfolio and will be assessed by an official body before gaining their qualification.
The London Design Festival was the first time Klu was “out there in front of everyone”.
Open your camera and scan the Klu to find out more about our building’s history!
Now, Marco and his team are focusing on developing Klu’s commercial proposition.
“I’ve been talking with a social enterprise that imports products from Palestine; their business case is ideal for Klu because there are a lot of stories behind their products,” says Marco.
It can be hard for businesses to convey stories on their packaging, especially when it comes to smaller products. Connected packaging enables them to communicate their backstory – and their suppliers’ backstories – in a digital format.
We couldn’t let Marco get back to his work without asking him what he gets up to in his down time. (After all, work-life balance is key.)
“I recently got into motorbike racing. I’ve wanted to race since I was a kid but never had until last year when I took my old bike, which was nearly 20 years old.
“It was great but people with faster bikes kept passing me. So I found this old Japanese racing bike and got my racing licence in February. I’ve done five meetings so far at different tracks – with mixed results.”
But isn’t it a bit scary?!
“Interestingly, I’m more scared on the road than the track,” Marco admits.
“You don’t have any traffic, you have plenty of room, and if you fall you can usually slide off. I’ve learnt a lot about myself: how to be more relaxed and focused.
“It’s very competitive of course, but I like the challenge!”
Marco Strillozzi: founder, tech director and motorbike racer.
