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Readahero.com and Rentmyhero.com - Michael Amaning
International Relations and American Studies (2007)
Summary:
Business Type: An online network for graphic novel and comic book readers
Website: www.readahero.com
Forget Tin Tin and Garfield! Think more Sin City, History of Violence, or Batman: The Dark Knight. All of these films are derived from best-selling graphic novels (a collection of around 8 comic books consisting of about 100 pages). Just like movies have put the spotlight on these beautiful, dark and twisted characters of the graphic novel world, my community based website, Readahero.com, aims to connect everyday people like yourselves straight to the source of some of the best characters by linking you to the finest graphic novels to date.
About me:
After graduating from Keele in 2007, I moved back to London and now work as country manager for East, West and Southern Africa at UK Trade and Investment.
I grew up like so many, running to the TV at 6:15 am to watch cartoons on Live and Kicking like Spider Man and X-Men on Saturday mornings. By the time I was handed my first graphic novel in school, it was a wrap. I was hooked for life. Fifteen years later I still read graphic novels and I’ve made sure my department at work are also getting involved, as I’ve set up a graphic novel swap shop for them.
Graphic Novels are not for kids and just not for geeks, I can honestly say, hand on my heart: ‘I am not a geek’! Some of the best and most original stories I have read ever have been in graphic novels.
About the business:
Readahero.com is a user-friendly community website dedicated to putting the best stories in peoples’ hands. By encouraging readers to share their experiences with others via recommendations, reviews and some good old fashion marketing, we hope to save readers time and money.
Currently the UK is estimated to have sold £27 million graphic novels to date and with the success of movies, more and more are discovering this under-rated medium. However, many of those new to the speech bubble medium, don’t know where to start reading and feel besieged by the sheer number of novels available. My business, Readahero.com, aims to be their shining light – connecting them to the finest graphic novels.
Most people automatically think of lycra, yellow pants and superheroes, but nowadays graphic novels are based on 4 key principles, strong writing, original artwork, innovation and imagination. Yes, superheroes have led the way, but today’s graphic novels are based on the human beings’ deepest fears, desires and aspirations. That is why I continue to see grown suited men and women on the train reading graphic novels every morning.
How Student Enterprise has helped me:
The EFS programme has been instrumental in progressing my passion into a business. Not only have the mentoring sessions given me the confidence, tools, focus and the strategy to develop long-term business plans it has also taught me the necessary information to succeed in relation to delivering a valuable product to customers and also keeping the tax man happy. I have met many inspiration people on the course and it is good to say I have established relationships through this course that will last a life time.
Future plans:
Readahero will be focused on building a community and my sister site Rentmyhero.com will be focused on building the revenue stream, through advertising, membership fees and an artwork market place.
Website: www.readahero.com
