23/08/2026
Definitely worth reading!
Spud Man has become one of those people who leaves almost nobody indifferent. Some admire what he has built, while others seem determined to find something wrong with it.
Perhaps that is one of the consequences of success. Once you become visible, opinions grow louder and envy begins to surface.
It’s remarkable how the arrival of one man and his business has created so much controversy in Rugeley.
People voted for him to come here, visitors travelled from other towns to meet him, local businesses benefited from additional footfall, and the town felt more alive. Yet that was still enough to awaken the usual critics.
Some people see “just a potato”. What they don’t see is everything behind it: management, marketing, logistics, staff, wages, planning, photography, video production, social media content, maintaining multiple online platforms and taking financial risks.
Spud Man isn’t simply selling a potato. He has built a recognisable brand and created an experience that people willingly queue for. His prices are comparable to those found at festivals, markets and other public events. If it isn’t for you or doesn’t suit your budget, don’t buy it. That doesn’t automatically mean the business is overpriced.
The same applies to the debate surrounding AI-generated promotional images. It’s 2026. AI is already part of modern photography, video, marketing and social media, whether everyone likes it or not. Using a tool is the easy part.
Building a brand that people recognise, follow and want to experience is the real achievement.
Unfortunately, the world has no shortage of haters, and they are often far more vocal than everyone else. They speak as though they understand everything, while those who are genuinely creating and building something are usually too busy working to argue online.
As the owner of VR Creative Studio, I’m beginning to experience this firsthand. Once your work starts reaching larger audiences, your posts go viral and people begin recognising your name, you suddenly start to “bother” certain people.
People you once considered friends can become critics. Hidden envy rises to the surface, attitudes change, and your circle begins to filter itself naturally. It isn’t always pleasant, but it reveals who genuinely supports your progress and who was only comfortable while you remained unnoticed.
Even after dealing with recent health problems, Spud Man remains a strong example for many small-business owners and entrepreneurs.
He brought visitors into Rugeley, created conversation and gave the town some much-needed energy.
Criticism from the sidelines is easy. Building something that people recognise, support and willingly pay for requires considerably more effort.
The critics will continue making noise. The rest of us will continue creating, working and moving forward.
For me, as the owner of a small business, VR Creative Studio, you are a genuine inspiration. You have all my respect, Ben Newman, aka Spud Man.
Thank you for coming to Rugeley!
Noise fades. Results remain.
