Skip to main content

Entrepreneur: Ape to Gentleman's Chris Beastall



There are certain people who when you are in contact with them, they exude graciousness and get-up-and-go, Chris Beastall is one. He's on a mission to get other men educated in all things grooming and lifestyle. I got to chat with him...
  1. What is the name and nature of your business?
Ape to Gentleman - an online men's grooming, fashion and lifestyle magazine helping the modern man continue his evolution through a focus on style, quality and value.

  1. How did you come up it?
It came from the desire to talk about men’s grooming in more detail - which was an emerging market. It’s since grown to encompass all things men’s lifestyle.

  1. What’s the structure of your business?
We have a small team at HQ, and a team of expert freelancers around the UK - who have strong knowledge in each of their sectors.
  1. What’s the USP of your business?
Men’s lifestyle features and brands through our own unique eye.

  1. What made you choose this type of business?
From a feeling there was a gap in the market to do something unique in the men’s online space - adhering to our target man and his values.

  1. How did you fund your business?
Self-funded entirely, with some investment from family.

  1. What are your responsibilities as the business owner?
As Editor - I’m in charge of overseeing the advertising, editorial schedule and managing our team.

  1. Where are you based and why there?
Based in Derbyshire, in the UK. It’s where I was born, and enjoy the Peak District and its fresh air. We all travel a lot so its handy for Manchester and Birmingham airport, and also just a short hour or so train ride to central London.

  1. What was the underlying mission for the business when you created it?
To help men - to educate them and make better decisions in their buying process. To make sure we feature what is best, and not just who has the biggest advertising budget.

  1. What do you think has been key to your success?
An honest approach, and providing useful information.

  1. Do you have staff or do you run the business alone?
We have myself and two full-time staff plus a small team of expert freelancers.

  1. And if you do, what do you look for in an employee/contributor?
Somebody who has love for what we are achieving at Ape - the brand and its values. And of course an in-depth knowledge of their field with an ability to convey it with beautiful words.

  1. How do you promote your business and its products/services - ie traditionally, via social media?
Social media, organic SEO traffic and our email newsletter.

  1. What are your future goals for the company?
To boost traffic with much more quality content and further cement our reputation as the go to for brands wishing to reach their target market - our beloved audience.
  1. If you had one piece of advice for a fellow entrepreneur, what would it be?
Find something you love doing, apply a business model to it and work like there’s no tomorrow.
You can check out Chris's site here

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Career: Ever wanted to know how to succeed as a journalist?

Freelance writer Bim Adewunmi, 28, who’s written in publications such as BlackHair magazine and The Guardian , gives us some tips… Bim in the sun How did you get into journalism? I decided to be a journalist when I was 18. It sounds slightly immodest to say that I was always good at English, but I was – it was my favourite subject through all my school years. I dallied with the idea of pharmacology before coming to my senses – I can only assume I was drunk or high to think that was a good choice – and so alongside my A-Levels in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology, I tacked on an AS-Level in Media.  After a year out spent working and travelling in America, I went to Bournemouth University and did a degree in Multimedia Journalism. It was a great course and I’m really grateful I did it. I learned old-fashioned journalism skills – teeline shorthand, newspaper reporting, the basic rules of writing copy – and also benefited from a great teaching staff of working j...
6 comments
Let's read more...>

Life: 2010 - So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodbye!

The year has been eventful hasn't it? No Big Brother on channel 4 (but I think The Family has replaced that reality hunger ;o) ), X Factor's growing bigger than ever (thanks Wagner!), Kate and William are giving us a Bank Holiday next year, the economy was a lil' better than last year (but it's still not great), cables released what world leaders really think of each other, parts of the US and UK almost came to a standstill because of the white stuff - snow, that is ;o), Northern Ireland and parts of Yorskhire are without water a man who created a system for guys and girls to rate attractiveness (allegedly) became TIME's person of the year , and we came to learn that 500,000,000 of us use it in an entirely different way as Facebook. So, what did 2010 mean to you? I hope it was a good 'un, the fact that I'm still here to make my dreams a reality is sommat I'm grateful for. If 2010 wasn't your best year so far, make 2011 so. ...
6 comments
Let's read more...>

Health: How do you treat a cold?

It's snowing all over the UK, and I have no scientific proof, but weeks after I stopped eating garlic I got this cold - and it's not nice. It's been generally accepted is that garlic helps boost the immune system. I also love honey and lemon.  (Photo from http://en.loadtr.com/Lemon-412529.htm) What works for you? It may help us!
3 comments
Let's read more...>