A prolific connector of people and well-known on the Brighton scene for his larger-than-life character, Jim Cunliffe brings energy and laughter to others and to his several businesses, BBBC – the infamous networking breakfast, Nettl Inc. Face Media Group – an online print and marketing company specialising in business and promotional prints across the UK and Europe.
It’s this infectious positivity that makes Nettl Inc. Face Media Group such a perfect fit as one of the sponsors for the 2024 Sussex Business Show.
In his words, ‘we print stuff’, but Face Media Group with Jim at the helm offers far more than just printing, helping with your designs and brand management as well. He offers customer service that goes above and beyond and super-networking powers that open doors where you’d least expect it. Jim’s nickname ‘The Print Lord’ plays tribute to his work too.
We ask the Print Lord himself some questions about his career, challenges and recommendations…
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned over your career?
I think most importantly, in life and in business, is just to be truthful. Don’t lie, don’t bullsh*t. Just tell the truth. The truth will prevail.
What has been your favourite job you’ve held?
I think in life, you know, when you get a job, you don’t really necessarily like the job. So on my first job I was a baker’s boy, and I’ve done loads since – Blockbusters, McDonald’s etc,.
But when you’re working for yourself, you absolutely love it. Working for yourself is the best job ever and ‘Print Lord ’ is just the best invention I’ve ever had and I’m looking forward to getting this going.
What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your role and business right now?
What I’ve found is that for the last five years, I haven’t talked a lot about what I do for a living. So Print Lord is to help push that message out that I print stuff.
I think we’re all facing it, but since 2022, the world hasn’t returned back to normal, especially in the print world. It’s just hard. People are just not printing the same as they were. They’re not doing business the same as they were. They’re not networking the same as they were. It’s changed. It’s a real struggle.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
You might think I’m an extrovert, but I’m actually really quite shy. So at networking, I’ll happily do the work to get people in, but when they arrive, I just want to stand out the front and smoke a cigarette.
What does your morning routine look like?
Up early and out the door. Walk down the seafront, gather a coffee and a couple of cigarettes on the beach and get back here for 09:00.
And then the day starts rolling. But I’m a bit of a 24 hours a day kind of guy and I don’t tend to finish up till seven, eight, nine. So I think even though I start early, my best work is typically between eleven and three in the morning.
That’s pretty much every day except for Wednesdays when I have BNI (a networking group) which starts at 6am…
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Oh, I think what I’d like to work towards is a business, or the business so that I don’t really need to be here in the UK. I can fly back for things I need to be in for.
I just want the sunshine and really strong WiFi. And I can be anywhere in the world. That would be perfect.
What are three movies you recommend and why?
The movie question is really about inspiration, isn’t it?
- Pursuit of happiness.
- Joy – where Jennifer Lawrence is trying to sell a mop
- The Founder – the one about the story of McDonald’s and how it all started.
- Oh and I’ll add in King Richard too – that was really good.
Jim Cunliffe, aka Print Lord, prints stuff and a lot more besides. He’s looking forward to meeting everyone on the 26th September at the Sussex Business Show.
