For the last 9 years, each November I have made the journey to Hull to contribute to the activities of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Now you should ask why on earth Hull as I’m from Wolves and live in Manchester. The answer is simple. In my opinion in Hull the young entrepreneurs have the most potential and are the most proactive in the UK. Hull is an amazing City not only for winning the City of Culture 2017 but also for the sustained effort the local enterprise organisations invest.
In order to create opportunity and a want to succeed amongst young people; hard work and effort needs to be invested in exciting and engaging them. This is where Hull have got in nailed. The area boasts an active business network who genuinely work together to make the City a place to do business. They also spend time developing the next generation. Organisations like Hull Youth Enterprise and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank turn the business light on in young people which is crucial.
Each November I am lucky enough to be invited to the City to take part in the Global Entrepreneurship week. The week engages talent from 5 – 18 year olds and gets them involved with real life business activities.
My main contribution is running a competition where young, aspiring entrepreneurs can actually win investment and mentoring without giving up any equity. The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge gives the opportunity for young entrepreneurs to pitch their business idea to me and a panel of judges. There are a number of stages to get to the final panel which really do test the ability and acumen of all that apply. Since the challenge has started we have helped over 26 young people build on their business dreams and 2016 saw some great pitches and ideas. The overall winner obtained £850 in funding and advice from my Consultancy on branding. The runner up Jade-Chelsey Smithson who runs a bespoke upcycling business, was awarded free mentoring sessions with me personally. Jade shone during the challenge due to her passion and practical ideas that will make her business her future.
I love doing the Badger Sett Enterprise Challenge as it’s a fantastic opportunity for me to support young people with entrepreneurial ideas. I’m sure if this was around when I was starting out I would have made my first million quicker!
