DANNY Campbell set up Hoko, a residential architect based in Glasgow which is now operating UK-wide. Campbell has noticed a massive spike in people choosing to stay in their home, rather than list it, and use lockdown as an opportunity to improve their homes and provide more space for their family.

Name: Danny Campbell

Position: Founder

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS CALLED?
Hoko

WHERE IS IT BASED?
Glasgow

WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?

I’VE always been entrepreneurial but after leaving university there were limited options on where you could work. You have to jump through hoops to become chartered as an architect. You have to do large projects which are boring with zero client satisfaction and have less design involved. I set up my own and did extensions. I wasn’t qualified as an architect yet but I was competing with architects. I realised there was a gap in the market. We refined our model gradually and launched in 2019. We secured a £400,000 investment and our growth has been phenomenal. We’ve gone from a team of eight to 18 in three months.

There is such demand for this and we’re approaching it from a fresh perspective. Getting the right build is a huge risk and taking that in-house helps. We want to improve the client experience when working with an architect. The majority of people who are doing an extension don’t have the time or experience to shop around. It makes sense to put it all in one place. If we’re true to that we’ll become a market leader.

Running my own business wasn’t something I had my heart set on. At school I was very disruptive and had a lot of energy. I set up various small but successful businesses and had an odd job business as a student.

WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?

WHEN it’s just you the only target market you can aim the business at is private residential clients – you won’t get big hotel developments. It’s about trying to standardise the process but make the experience superior. On Facebook we have all five-star reviews. People love dealing with us because we are easy to contact and we have integrity. We have a John Lewis approach to customer satisfaction.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?

I WOULD be surprised if people knew where to go to find an architect. Most will ask friends and family for a recommendation. We just do extensions and home renovations so we can create a smooth process. We are taking away the boring parts of the process and focus on what an architect is best at – design. The way we work is very unique and generates good results.

IS SCOTLAND A GOOD PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS?

TWO of our architects are from Scotland and two are from England. Scots are generally really nice to deal with but it’s a very tough place to be an architect due to the climate and the way architects are governed in the UK is very strict. The project journey can be longer with local authorities in Scotland compared to England. We are huge ambassadors for Scotland and our base will always be here.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS?

THE most rewarding thing is satisfying clients. People get upset but getting through to the end of the project is the best part.

I’m really enjoying running the business. I’m a purpose-driven person and I need to be completely invested in something to do it.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN RUNNING THE BUSINESS?

We went through a long process for funding with the Scottish Investment Bank and Scottish Enterprise but it didn’t work out but that’s part of the risk. We are incredibly ambitious and I have amazing people around me – maintaining them and keeping their motivation is something I take quite seriously but it’s not a challenge. We have increased our staff by 900% in two months. We’re reshaping the industry but we’re purpose-driven.

WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?

IN five years we could become the leading company in the UK. In 10 years we will have accelerated massively. We’re trying to develop an amazing client experience they can benefit from. We want to solve the problems in the construction industry.