A Self Interview with Tony Short - Founder of StudioAlt
by Startacus Admin
StudioAlt is an e-commerce store that supplies physical toolkits to the Digital, Tech and Startup community to help empower & aid collaboration. Intrigued? Well read on for Tony Shorts Self Interview...
What is StudioAlt?
StudioAlt is an e-commerce store that supplies physical toolkits to the Digital, Tech and Startup community to help empower and aid collaboration. Currently this 
focuses on agile products such as Planning Poker Cards, Sprint Planners and accessories such as Post-It Notes and Sharpie pens.
Where did the idea come from?
I was about six months in my new role as a Project Manager for a leading digital, creative and technical agency when I took part in a three day Agile training event. It was at that event that I first experienced Agile & Scrum methodology and was stoked with the potential and simply put; I fell in love.
Shortly after that event, I went about implementing most of the features, particularly techniques such as backlogs, estimating and sprints. What I found though was whilst there were a ton of online, digital toolkits for Agile & Scrum there weren’t many UK suppliers of toolkits that offered physical, tangible tools.
Which problem are you trying to solve?
From my research it suggests there doesn’t appear a service that focuses solely on providing non-digital products for Designers, Developers or Account Managers. 
Being a bit of an old romantic when it comes to physical and tangible things, I aim for StudioAlt to be suppliers of non-digital toolkits that will aid engagement, be tactical and ignite collaboration amongst teams.
Who are your Customers?
We exist to support the Digital, Tech and Startup communities and create meaningful relationships with those around us. For example, we feel we add value to Startups by helping them avoid unnecessary recurring payments when they are just commencing their journey. Rather than having to subscribe to online Agile tools we provide Sprint Planners that they can download, print-off and stick to the wall as a method to get their resource together to collaborate.
How are you funded?!
The project has been bootstrapped and supported by the guiding principles set out within The Lean Startup by Eric Ries which encourages a minimal viable product without spending too much money or time to launch a product or service. With these constraints I have been able to launch a store with only a small collection of items, including Planning Poker Cards, Sprint Planners, Post-It Notes and Sharpie Pens.
What advice can I offer to others?
From my experience, I’ve found it’s possible to use tools such as Shopify to get your products on sale with minimum time and effort, so that you can start test assumptions and learning what your customers really want. 
This lean approach shifts the focus away from your project being all about technology and integration and instead allows you to learn how to sell to your customers, test features and product ranges. StudioAlt is built and powered by Shopify, which is a SaaS e-commerce
platform that enables rapid, low cost development underpinned by a prominent app store.
The future?
Short-term we will continue to focus on agile products with a particular focus on servicing the UK with Planning Poker Cards. I am constantly engaged with the Designers,
Developers and Product Managers to understand what their non-digital toolkit requirements are and working with established partners I trust and have used myself during my 13 years involvement within Digital and Tech.
Tony Short - Founder
Tony has 13 years experience within IT for both the Public and Private Sectors. As a Project Manager, Tony combines his knowledge of software development, business analysis, lean methodology and project management to deliver projects for the only software company within the FTSE 100.
He combines his knowledge of software and technology with his passion for lean methodology and timely data.
twitter.com/thetonyshort
The startup that's using instant messaging to become your free travel concierge...
Last week, Hatch Enterprise and YSYS brought 25 women-of-colour entrepreneurs together, to discuss diversifying entrepreneurship in London...
Mercarto wants to give everyone the opportunity of starting their own business via their new eCommerce platform which creates an end-to-end online retail business with no risk and no cost.
Sherpr - The no hassle, premium door to door service for shipping your sports equipment...
.jpeg)
Joel Silverman is the co-founder of KidsKnowBest. With zero background in media/kids/tech he pitched and raised investment from the president of the Marriott Group. Joel explains all...
Feral Horses is a marketplace startup that acts as an art stock exchange to buy and trade shares of contemporary artworks directly from artists and art galleries.
If you are starting out and considering trading as a sole trader, here's some of the current sole trader and self assessment information you'll need to know.
The Adecco Group have announced a definitive agreement to acquire General Assembly, pioneers in education and career transformation, who provide accelerated learning programs in high-demand 21st-century digital skills.
.jpeg)
GovStart, a six month growth programme run by PUBLIC, to help tech startups transform the public sector is back and looking for its latest cohort.
The first Global Digital Week, happening 23rd-29th April, will take place in more than 7 different countries promoting tech and digital skills in all walks of life.
Published on: 13th January 2014
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Diversifying Entrepreneurship in London - The Power of 25 20th Apr 2018 Last week, Hatch Enterprise and YSYS brought 25 women-of-colour entrepreneurs together, to discuss diversifying entrepreneurship in London...
- upSTART, the startup pitch competition at Digital DNA returns for 2018 9th Apr 2018 upSTART, the startup pitch competition that brings together a whole host of top UK, Irish and European tech startups, Investors, and Judges is BACK for 2018 at Digital DNA.
- CreativeTech 100 – are you part of it? 15th Mar 2018 CreativeTech 100 – are you part of it? Tech London Advocates are looking for any startups doing great things in terms of CreativeTech.
- The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition 2018 15th Mar 2018 The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition, seeks to nurture creativity & hone entrepreneurial skills amongst Irish-based early-stage tech entrepreneurs.
