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
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Crowdfunding success for Omni, the vegan dog food brand, reaffirms the recession-proof growth of the pet nutrition industry.
Want to learn a new language? Weeve is an innovative startup that has created an innovative, creative and effective way to help you do just that.
Want to build an investable, scalable tech startup? The Raise Accelerator programme is now open for applications and will help you do just that.
Want to increase visual engagement for your startup's Instagram account? These tips will help you do just that.
Want to gain an edge over your business competitors? Listening to your audience is an absolute must.
The Clothes Doctor mission to fight fast fashion continues as the innovative eco clothing care brand raises £1m to support further growth.
If you plan on using social media to promote your brand, these simple rules will help, increasing both brand awareness and the number of consumers.
High-potential social impact startups from the UK sought for the 9th annual Les Tremplins by Voyage Privé programme.
The lowdown on Danish startup EvodiaBio and its innovative tech that produces sustainable aromas for the food and beverage industry.
Small Business Britain’s ‘How to Grow’ report outlines how small businesses are responding to economic challenges and how they can grow during recession.
Published on: 13th January 2014
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Vegan Dog Food Brand, Omni Smashes £400K Crowdfunding Target 1st Feb 2023 Crowdfunding success for Omni, the vegan dog food brand, reaffirms the recession-proof growth of the pet nutrition industry.
- Raise Spring Accelerator programme seeking applications for next cohort 30th Jan 2023 Want to build an investable, scalable tech startup? The Raise Accelerator programme is now open for applications and will help you do just that.
- Leading French Travel Co. Offers Mentoring to two UK startups on its prestigious two-month programme 23rd Jan 2023 High-potential social impact startups from the UK sought for the 9th annual Les Tremplins by Voyage Privé programme.
- Small businesses need new model for growth in recession 23rd Jan 2023 Small Business Britain’s ‘How to Grow’ report outlines how small businesses are responding to economic challenges and how they can grow during recession.
