Young entrepreneurs shine as new fund launched
IN THE FRAME: From left, Adam Corbally, Alfie Murrell, Ashleigh Ward, Dylan Whiting and Ian Cass
By Phil Ascough
The return of a region-wide networking organisation and awards scheme for young entrepreneurs also brought the launch of a new fund named after a true champion of disadvantaged young people.
Three young entrepreneurs were recognised for their achievements so far in a celebration event at THUD – The Hook-up Dinner – held at Humber Street Gallery. Many more were given hope for the future with the establishment of the fund, named after the late Mark Jones, Hull City Council’s director of regeneration, and dedicated to providing support for people who have experienced the care system in developing new businesses.
The THUD audience of young entrepreneurs, other business leaders and representatives of local authorities also heard news of another exciting development. Guest speaker Ian Cass, chair of the nationwide Micro Business Alliance, revealed he had briefed Richard Bearman, managing director of small business lending at the British Business Bank, about the fantastic work going on to help young entrepreneurs in Hull and the surrounding area.
Ian said: “I told him he should come and see what’s happening in Hull and I would put him in touch. But the deal is he has to come here, experience it, talk to people and find out what they are doing. Now we’re going to make that happen.”
THUD Yorkshire brings together young entrepreneurs from Hull, the East Riding and North Yorkshire to present their enterprising journeys and ambitions for the future. The latest meet was organised to build on the success of a visit to South Africa in 2017 to meet Selebogo Molefe, who set up THUD. Hull is now part of a Commonwealth partnership to promote support and engagement with young entrepreneurs.
CARE LEAVERS’ CHAMPION: Mark Jones
In the spotlight were three young entrepreneurs who were presenting to secure votes from the audience in a bid to gain recognition and a cash prize to invest in their businesses. In the end they were all winners.
Dylan Whiting, 26, was awarded £200 to help him develop LLM Services, which offers PAT testing services and took its name from the initials of Dylan’s daughters and sister. He also received a solid business enquiry during the question-and-answer session.
Dylan said: “Coming here tonight was never about the money – that’s a bonus. It was about meeting new people who have been in the same boat as me and have made something from it. I wanted to get out, meet people, get new contacts and potentially make new friends.”
Ashleigh Ward, also 26, received a prize of £300 for her work with Ward Cosmetics, providing high quality services for lashes, brows, waxing, tinting and tanning. Ashleigh works from home and offers a flexible service to a range of clients, priding herself on a comfortable and flexible service which is available after work hours and can be full of conversation or silent appointments depending on the client’s needs.
Ashleigh said: “I’ve met a lot of new people tonight and that’s huge in my line of work because although I do a lot of social media, word of mouth is really important. I’m really pleased with how it’s going because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do until I was 24.”
GUEST SPEAKER: Ian Cass
The top prize of £500 went to 17-year-old Alfie Murrell, who launched SYM Clothing with the aim of providing high end fashion at low prices. Alfie is taking on the fast fashion industry by offering a sustainable service around vigorous restorations and skillful repairs.
He said: “The preloved fashion industry is growing exponentially and I have high goals to expand into the market while it's still in shallow waters. I didn’t expect to win but I wanted to make sure I took this opportunity to make sure all the people in this room know about my business and knows how to access what I do.”
The work with young entrepreneurs is being led by Hull City Council’s Making Changes for Careers (MC4C) programme and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB). The partnership focuses particularly on the wider disengaged due to disadvantage – young people of colour, neurodiverse, from LGTBQ + communities, on universal credit and from working class communities.
The new fund arose from the decision by MC4C and JCYEB to sign up to the Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, which was developed by Nottingham University Business School and aims to facilitate a more inclusive enterprise ecosystem in the UK.
Charles Cracknell, founder of JCYEB, said: “Entrepreneurship is vital for innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Over the last 21 years we have supported over a thousand young people and I thought it was time, as someone who experienced the care system, that we set up a funding pot of £30,000 to help aspiring young entrepreneurs who are care experienced.
“It also seemed logical that it should be named after Mark, who had a natural affinity for aspiring young entrepreneurs and care leavers.”
Liz Barclay, small business commissioner and patron of JCYEB, added: “I never met Mark personally but since I became involved in the youth enterprise eco-system in Hull, I have heard so much about his positive commitment to young people.
“Mark not only supported young entrepreneurs, he was Hull City Council’s care leavers champion and was also responsible for establishing regeneration champions posts for care leavers at the council.”