From Rock Bottom to Purpose: Building a Business That Helps Others Be Seen with Andrew Spackman

If you run a business, there’s often a moment where things shift. It stops being something you might do one day and becomes something you feel compelled to pursue, even if you’re not fully ready.

That moment looked very different for Andrew Spackman, founder of Ingenious Gifts, a curated marketplace that champions handmade makers across the UK and helps them not just sell their products, but be seen, heard and valued.

What stands out about Andrew’s story is that the business didn’t begin with confidence or clarity. It began with a turning point that forced him to make a choice about the direction of his life.

The Moment Everything Changed

Andrew had always wanted to build something of his own. He describes himself as someone creative, someone who had explored freelance work and entrepreneurial ideas over the years, but always from behind the scenes.

“I’ve always hid behind a laptop… I kind of wanted to build something behind the scenes.”

For a long time, that felt safer. But life has a way of shifting your perspective, and during a particularly difficult period, Andrew found himself at a crossroads where continuing as he was no longer felt like an option.

“I had two choices… I could chase my dreams… or I could let it destroy me.”

That moment became a catalyst. He made the decision to rebuild, to change habits, and to take action, even before he felt ready. As he puts it, “I swapped booze for books,” committing to personal growth and creating something meaningful.

That decision didn’t just shape his life, it gave his business a sense of purpose that continues to drive it today.

Building Confidence Alongside the Business

One of the most powerful parts of Andrew’s journey is that the hardest part wasn’t launching the platform. It was believing he was capable of doing it.

Even after Ingenious Gifts existed, that self-doubt didn’t immediately disappear.

“It just felt like this dream that was always ever going to be a dream.”

Instead of waiting for confidence, he chose to act anyway. He began to reframe the way he thought about risk and failure, asking himself a simple but powerful question: “What’s the worst that could happen?” That shift allowed him to move forward, even when things felt uncertain.

There’s something quietly powerful in the way he describes it. When you’ve already experienced difficult moments, fear doesn’t hold the same weight.

“I’ve been in worse places… so why not go for it?”

That mindset became a foundation, not just for the business, but for how he approaches growth more broadly.

Why Story Matters More Than the Product

Ingenious Gifts began as a marketplace, a space where makers could list and sell their products. But as the business evolved, Andrew realised that the real value wasn’t just in what people were selling, but in who they were and why they created it.

“There can be thousands of candle makers… but there’s only ever one like you.”

That insight shifted the entire direction of the business. Today, storytelling sits at the centre of what he offers, whether that’s filming makers, creating content around their work, or helping them build the confidence to share their journey.

Because ultimately, people don’t just buy products. They connect with stories.

And for many small business owners, that’s often the part they find hardest to share. Andrew understands that because he’s lived it himself.

The Reality of Starting From Zero

Like many founders, Andrew’s early experience was defined by persistence. With no audience and no established platform, building momentum required consistent effort and a willingness to keep going when results weren’t immediate.

“I can’t imagine how many messages I sent… thousands and thousands.”

That level of outreach wasn’t glamorous, but it was necessary. Over time, those small actions built traction, and some of the makers who joined in those early stages are still part of the platform today.

There were also challenges along the way. Moments where things didn’t go to plan, where time and energy were invested without a return.

But those experiences shaped how he now approaches the business, focusing less on quick wins and more on long-term relationships with the right people.

Shifting From Hustle to Value

As the business matured, Andrew’s approach evolved. Rather than relying heavily on outreach, he began to focus on creating value and trusting that the right people would be drawn to it.

“I just focus on bringing value… I’ll look after people first and the rewards will come later.”

That mindset has shaped the way he works today. It’s less about volume and more about alignment, working with makers who are ready to grow and who see the benefit of building something sustainable rather than chasing quick results.

It’s also a reminder that growth doesn’t always have to be fast to be meaningful. Sometimes, steady and intentional progress creates something far more resilient.

From Doubt to Recognition

One of the most significant mindset shifts in Andrew’s journey came through entering awards. Initially, he didn’t see himself as someone who belonged in that space.

“I didn’t think I was good enough for an award.”

But through the process of entering, reflecting and sharing his story, something changed. It wasn’t just about external recognition, it was about how he viewed his own business.

“Even just talking about your business has incredible value.”

That insight is something many business owners overlook. Taking the time to step back and articulate what you do and why it matters can be just as powerful as the outcome itself.

What Andrew’s Looking for as a Judge

As a judge for the Class Business Awards 2026, Andrew brings a perspective shaped by real experience. He understands what it feels like to build something from scratch, to navigate self-doubt, and to keep going through uncertainty.

When reviewing applications, he isn’t just looking at metrics or outcomes. He’s looking for the story behind the business and the intention driving it.

“I’ll be looking for the passion behind why you do what you do.”

Because in a sector built around people, that passion is what creates lasting impact.

Watch the interview

Not every business starts from a place of confidence. Some begin in uncertainty, in difficult moments, or at points where something needs to change. But those beginnings often shape the strongest foundations.

Andrew’s journey is a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. You just need to make the decision to keep going, even when it feels uncomfortable.

🎥 You can watch the full interview with Andrew Spackman on the Class Business Academy YouTube channel.