And young people in Barnsley are producing some amazing ideas and following them through to make a profitable enterprise, thanks to a ground-breaking project.
Barnsley’s ‘Enterprising Young People’ initiative, funded jointly by Barnsley Council and the ERDF, helps young people who have a business idea to ensure it is viable, to acquire the skills they need to run it, and to apply for a grant of up to £2,000.
The young entrepreneurs, who must be aged between 14 and 24 and live in Barnsley to be eligible, are supported by a team of ‘Enterprise Champions’ who listen to their ideas, which are sometimes almost fully-fledged and sometimes at the early stages of exploration. They guide the ideas through the early stages and ensure that the young owner understands the essentials of any business – costing, time management, marketing, and of course, making a profit.
Some clients are still at school and homework and exams are a major issue to consider; others are university or college graduates who have gained higher-level skills that need backing up with business expertise and experience.
Some examples include:
Chloe Scurrah of Coco’s Designs
Chloe, 14, creates unique leather handbags and attends craft fairs to sell the lovely clutch bags and satchels.
designedbycoco@gmail.com
______________________________________
Fika Catering Equipment Ltd.
Aaron Williams, 24, designs and installs kitchens for restaurants, pubs and cafes, and has already received successful commissions from several education establishments.
www.fikaonline.co.uk
Facebook – Fika Catering Equipment Limited
Twitter – @FIKAUK
______________________________________
Oliver Hyde, 24, Bowler Hat Films. Oli makes promotional videos for commercial clients, and transfers old mini tapes onto DVD. Oli has seen a market for the tape transfer as the precious tapes, often recording treasured family memories, are vulnerable to degrade after 15 years.
http://www.youtube.com/user/funhouse21
______________________________________
Ellie’s Entertainments. Eleanor Bennett, 21, provides a complete package of children’s entertainments including face painting.
www.elliesentertainments.co.uk
______________________________________
Cameron Thomas, CT Designs. Cameron, 14, used his grant to buy a heat press and produces personalised bags, plates and mugs. His Yorkshire Lass and Yorkshire Lad mugs have also proved very popular.
http://ctdesigns74.weebly.com/
Twitter – @CTDesignS74
______________________________________
Jen Hammond, 16, Kainoa and Bluefrog, colourful tie-dyed teeshirts and leisurewear.
jenhamm@hotmail.co.uk
_______________________________________
Hayley Cattell, specialises in newborn baby photography from her light-filled studio
www.haleycattellphotography.co.uk
Twitter – @HCnewborns
_______________________________________
Dan Speight, made redundant, decided to start a business providing a sweet cart for weddings and parties, and selling old-fashioned sweets online and through a recently opened shop.
www.traditionalsweetsandtreats.com
Facebook – Traditional Sweets and Treats
Twitter – @TradSweetTreats
______________________________________
Amy Pearson, 22, plans to launch a dance school with tap, street and ballet for 3 to 18-year-olds.
Amy_pearson@outlook.com
______________________________________
Great to see such inspirational young people getting out there and making their way in the world.