Waqar’s Story

Waqar Hussain, age 23 from Leamington, first became interested in graphic design after leaving school and then developed his knowledge further when studying a degree in marketing.

This then developed into a hobby before he completed a six-month placement in graphic design where he developed his skills further and realised the potential of launching his own business in the sector.

Waqar heard about PET-Xi’s Business Futures programme through a networking group and thought it would help to develop and launch his business.

It aims to support jobseekers across the county to develop their ­entrepreneurial skills to launch a business and become their own boss. Waqar spent a lot of time preparing for the course and was given access to pre-recorded online sessions on topics including business structure, registration, developing a business plan, social media, marketing and competitor analysis to help develop his knowledge further.

Waqar then pitched his business idea for ‘Wisuals’, which specialises in graphic design, illustration and branding as well as selling artistic graphic design prints directly to customers, to a panel of judges and was successfully awarded a grant of £1,000 to help launch this