Dominic Bohannan tells unLTD how support from Launchpad helped him set up Santini 7®️Sports, a nutritional supplements and clothing brand
Tell us about your company?
Santini 7®️Sports is a nutritional supplements and clothing brand.
Our Angry Dog™ Whey Protein has two flavours – and we pride ourselves on the fact we have minimal ingredients, no preservatives, no fillers and no additives.
We also have our football Nutritional partners – Huddersfield Town WFC and Wakefield AFC.
Our clothing range originally consisted of both women’s and men’s high-performance training t-shirts and vests.
We are now about to launch our fighter training Rash Guards and two new items exclusively from our partnership with Huddersfield Town Women’s Football Club.
When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you?
Whilst walking home from having my car being repaired at a garage, I was looking for a gym to kill some hours but there was not any around. And then my first initial thought was ‘why not open a gym?!’
I quickly realised that would not in any way fulfil all the ideas and visions I had – then I thought of supplements!
I have also had quite a few family difficulties these last few years – things can really change your mindset and it has certainly mine.
If you want something and believe in something only YOU can make it happen.
How has Launchpad helped you?
Massively! Launchpad have been extremely helpful in educating me on lots of marketing and business strategies.
I was lacking in knowledge around digital marketing; Launchpad have offered support, advice and great connections, meaning I am now working with a fantastic Barnsley based digital company who are helping me with an ongoing strategy.
What are your hopes and aims for the business?
I don’t believe in hope, to be honest. I believe in hard work and absolutely going for it! My aim is for Santini 7®️ Sports to be a world-recognised brand – trusted, vibrant, different from all the rest.
How has the pandemic affected your decision to start a business?
We launched on 28th January 2020 – six weeks later a world pandemic happened!
We were getting our products into local gyms, wholesalers, health shops – then, bang! – all shut. I started messaging people – making relationships with top professional clubs and athletes. We now have three partnerships/associations with professional football clubs, an MMA athlete and a kick-boxer!
Launchpad business start-up advisor Ben Hawley said: “Dom has the right idea with this business, and is using influencers and people with a loyal following to help establish the brand and it’s values. Using this as a spring board to drive sales with their followers is a proven way to grow a business.
“Dom has really taken advantage of the Launchpad programme and has had one to one support as well as attending our workshops. We feel that the blend of support we offer means we can help any prestart or young business.
“Starting and growing a business is not easy and that’s why the Launchpad programme was created. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and our partners means there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.
“Stop dreaming and do it. Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk.”
