New ambassadors will help young entrepreneurs build their businesses
TOP TEAM: From left, Rebecca McCoid, Danielle Redfearn, Chelsie Canon-Bowie, Brooke Peacham and Phoebe Taylor
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Three rising stars of Hull’s business community have stepped up to share their experience and ideas with other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Brooke Peacham, Danielle Redfearn and Chelsie Canon-Bowie have all been appointed as Youth Enterprise Ambassadors and between them will bring know-how from a variety of sectors.
Brooke set up her own clothing business Vintage by Brooke before moving that venture online and launching The Cutie Paws, operating in Trinity Market and specialising in all things fashion for your beloved pets.
Danielle is the owner of Academy 96 which is a freestyle and acro dance studio. In addition to hosting dance classes and competing in dance competitions, Danielle is hoping to develop her studio and possibly expand into offering sessions to school children.
Chelsie is the owner Donche Designs and Events, which specialises in balloon decorations and creating personalised items. Chelsie also attends dance festivals to photograph the dancers at work, and she is hoping to merge all her business skills into one to create business deals and packages for various special occasions.
The trio have been recruited by Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB) to encourage other young people to develop enterprising ideas. Working with current Ambassadors Luke Garner, Sammy Gibson, Ashley Ward, Dylan Whiting and the Youth Enterprise and Microbusiness Team they will also advise on future activities and programmes, visit schools and colleges to inspire others and represent the views of young entrepreneurs to the council’s Future You programme.
The new ambassadors have all come through the Making Changes for Careers (MC4C) programme and progressed into self-employment with the support of Hull City Council and test market grants from JCYEB as part of the council’s commitment to ensure Hull is a place where young entrepreneurs thrive. On top of their other duties, they will promote the new Youth Enterprise Hub, which will open at 161 High Street in December 2025.
Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “It is brilliant that three more young people have been selected to promote the council’s commitment to enterprise skills and young entrepreneurs.
“I have no doubt they will be great ambassadors as have all our previous ones not only for youth enterprise, but for the city, so thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment.
“They are all a great credit to the city and part of our commitment to community wealth being, as they are integral to our current and future economic success”.
Brooke said: “I’m honoured to be asked to be a Youth Enterprise Ambassador for Hull. I hope to provide that little bit of support to other young people like me to help them realise their dreams. I was pleased to receive a test market grant from JCYEB to help start me up and provide access to a wide range of advice and support from a very supportive team who were always there for me. I am looking forward to being able to outline my business journey to aspiring young entrepreneurs.”
Danielle said: “I believe there is so much potential out there in our communities and MC4C certainly makes your business aspirations a reality. The help and guidance
from Hull City Council’s MC4C programme and my advisor has greatly widened my business knowledge and supported me with the growth of my business.”
Chelsie said: “I want to make young people in schools and colleges aware of the council’s MC4C programme so they can start their own business like I am. Starting a business by yourself can be very daunting and sometimes confusing. With MC4C I feel like I had help whenever I needed it, which gave me confidence and self-belief in what I was doing. I would advise any aspiring young entrepreneur to use their services, and I am looking forward to speaking to young people about the joys of being your own boss.”
Rebecca McCoid, who took a similar route via MC4C and the role of Youth Enterprise Ambassador, now advises aspiring young entrepreneurs as a Youth Enterprise and Microbusiness Advisor and still runs her own business, The Personalised Grey Rose.
Rebecca said: “I can say what fantastic things our new ambassadors will be able to promote to the city's young people and I am particularly pleased that Brooke and Chelsie are to be ambassadors as I am the advisor to Brooke and mentor to Chelsie Cannon! I believe they will do a great job of raising the profile of enterprise skills in schools and youth entrepreneurship within the community.”