Lifestyle

Chris Sarchet Bell On His Journey To Building The Biggest U18 Event Brand In The Uk

Published

4 years ago

March 24, 2021

Chris Sarchet Bell is one of the few entrepreneurs who are proving that you can have a good time without alcohol. In 2014, he founded Shutdown events as a response to the market gap in providing entertainment for 14-17 years olds. 6 years later, he has taken that business sky-level and transformed it into the biggest U18s events brand in the whole of the UK.

Starting Small

Shutdown Events was established in 2014 in Chris’ home town, Burnley. Before venturing into the day-time event space, Shutdown had previous experience in the events/nightlife industry from hosting their over 18 events.

“We decided to try and tackle the younger market to be able to get interest from a young audience,” Chris says. “Then, once they came of age, we would be able to pass them on to our over 18s brand, Grenade.”

Shutdown quickly made a name for itself in Burnley and soon started to attract clientele from out of the town and further.

“With each event, more and more people were talking about us. Within 6 months, we branched into a second area and by month 8, we were in another 4 cities.”

It was at this stage the Shutdown team realised they had created something special.

Building a Legacy on Connection

The resounding success that Shutdown Events currently enjoys did not happen by accident. In fact, it was the result of persistent effort and never taking no for an answer.

“ I never give up,” Chris shares. “It took me 4 years before I made a penny. No matter what hurdles have been thrown at me over the last 6 years I always get back up and keep going and my determination is exactly why I am where I am today.”

Crushing Goals

Within the first 2 years, Shutdown became the UK’s largest leading U18 brand. Now, Chris and his team tour the country every couple of months, hosting events from Scotland to as far down as Newquay. Shutdown has now hosted events across 10+ cities nationwide.

“We bring together some of the biggest names in the music industry, originally we used to bring PA’s from some of the most popular reality tv shows, paint & foam parties and Co2 & confetti parties. But now, it’s all about putting on that indoor festival vibe, the biggest acts/djs we can get our hands on, huge production, including pyros, screens, streamers, and transforming venues with a huge themes, nobody is doing it like Shutdown now and that’s why our social media is constantly growing. We keep getting requests from more and more clients across the country asking us to come to a town/city near them. Because of this, Shutdown is continuing to grow and build such a high in-demand brand on a weekly basis.”

Chris has big plans and an ambitious vision for the future and growth of Shutdown Events.

“Success to me is brand recognition, hearing great feedback, being able to look after my family,” Chris says.

“ Now more than ever, the music, live events and concerts scene is bigger and more in demand than ever before, especially with the younger generation. We offer the “night of your life” for 14 – 17-year-olds before they are legally allowed to go out to events. Over the next few years, I would like to think we will be touring across 15 cities nationwide.”

Lifestyle

Gutiérrez F Studio Masters the Art of Unforgettable Events

Published

3 weeks ago

September 24, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo Credit: Gutiérrez F Studio

Byline: Katreen David

Every great love story deserves a walk down the aisle straight out of a fairytale. From the conceptualization to the perfect centerpiece, boutique event planning companies like Gutiérrez F Studio can puzzle the details together to craft an event that tells the bride and groom’s story.

Today, where wedding ideas are beautiful yet veer toward feeling recycled, Gutiérrez F Studio imparts a sense of uniqueness, identity, and human connection to every event it brings to life.

“Everyone has access to the same Pinterest boards, but our mission is to create events that are truly unique. We aim to make every detail tell a part of our clients’ stories,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez, the founder and lead creative of Gutiérrez F Studio.

Knot Your Average I Do: Crafting Experiences

From the very first consultation, it is clear that the Mexico-based event studio is anything but run-of-the-mill. Each project is a culmination of a deeply personal journey, guided by a commitment to crafting experiences that are both visually elegant and emotionally reverberant.

At Gutiérrez F Studio, the magic of a well-crafted event is not just about grand visuals; it is about creating experiences that age gracefully into core memories over time.

The nuptials designed by Gutiérrez F Studio are out to resonate deeply with the people they celebrate. As a full-service event design and production studio, Gutiérrez F Studio specializes in transforming visions into reality through custom architectural design and art. It comprises a team of warm, reliable, and innovative creatives.

What truly speaks volumes about its signature brand is the dedication to delivering seamless, end-to-end service that covers every aspect of the event. The team meticulously plans and manages every detail, collaborating exclusively with top-tier suppliers for quality that is second to none. This encompasses aspects that engage all the senses, such as top-tier audiovisual elements and menus curated by world-renowned chefs.

The studio has put its name on the map as a master of storytelling, a notion that is evident in even the minutest of details. “We don’t just follow trends. Instead, we create atmospheres that blend romance, elegance, and innovation, tailored to reflect each couple’s unique love story,” notes Fernando Gutiérrez. “Our aesthetic is concept-driven, meaning every event we design is a one-of-a-kind narrative brought to life in creatively curated spaces.”

From 2017 to Forever

Over the next 12 months, Gutiérrez and his team will actively explore opportunities to expand their target locations, aiming to bring their bespoke event design and production services to new international markets. So far, they have been the go-to brand across Mexico and Europe.

Since its founding in 2017, Fernando Gutiérrez’s company has completed over 320 projects, earning clients’ trust locally and globally. From the beaches of Mexico to its rapid expansion into the scapes of Spain and Italy, Gutiérrez F Studio has been rendering exceptional events worldwide, proving that the celebration of love is a universal language.

“Whether we’re planning events in Mexico or across the ocean, we hope to create moments that our clients will look back on fondly,” shares Fernando Gutiérrez.

For every bride and groom that the team works with, Gutiérrez F Studio promises that each walk down the aisle is the start of a new fairytale that is entirely their own.