SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS.

Having supported many 100's of young people to date, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank is looking to grow and support even more young people. Offering more than just financial support, this initiative also offers practical advice to help get business ideas off the ground across Hull and the East Riding.

The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, with its management group, has over the years continued to be supported by young entrepreneurs, Hull City Council and local businesses and for the last three years has received significant support from KC (£60,000). As the entrepreneurial spirit increases in the area, and they urge more businesses and people to support tomorrow’s employers, they are now proud to introduce their new bondholder investment scheme.

Maureen Foers OBE, Chair of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, comments:

“We wanted to find a way that we can continue to support even more local entrepreneurs. The new patronage scheme is a great way to do this, and at the same time we are able to offer thanks to those who are kind enough to support us. We are already receiving interest from local businesses wanting to support others, which is fantastic, and we hope by raising awareness we will get even more support going forward.”

The bondholder scheme is about offering financial support to budding young entrepreneurs, with three options available ranging from £250 to £1000, as well as in-kind support. The support generated from the scheme will support local young entrepreneurs and those that support the initiative will be recognised through various levels of publicity, demonstrating their commitment to young entrepreneurship and the local economy.

Thomas Arran, of TArran Photography is one of many young entrepreneurs who has benefitted from financial support of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and has now gone on to set up

another business:

"My enterprising journey began whilst studying for a BTEC Diploma in Photography. My first projects were small weddings and eventually led to work with Hull FC and Hull City Council. Following further enquiries, it soon became apparent that I could take my passion of photography and run it as a business. I received support from the Net 315 Enterprise Gateway, the HYEP and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, where I received £800 to cover my start-up costs. I have now set up a second business - My Fun Booth, offering a customisable photo booth service at weddings, corporate events and marketing campaigns."

Another young entrepreneur who has been identified from financial support from John Cracknell

Youth Enterprise Bank as well as winning the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge is Louise Upfold of Weasie Wears 

"My enterprising journey began whilst studying my degree at Hull College in Fashion and Design. I had a number of clients interested in my products but had never considered setting up in business until I saw what support was on offer from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank. I was given a grant of £900 for a new sewing machine as well as 1-1 advice from one of their business mentors, I went on to win the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge and gained even further investment into my business of designing and producing customised clothing as well as ongoing mentoring support from Ruth Badger which will start next month. I hope that more members of the business community in Hull and East Riding will support the city's youth enterprise bank in order that they can help more young entrepreneurs like me."

The youngest recipient of financial support from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank is 12 year old Millie Notarantonio of Millie Rose, a personalised gifts and novelties company.

Millie "Since I was given a grant from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank for a new heat press in 2014, I have gone on to redesign my products and created the Millie Rose range. In October last year I had the opportunity of meeting Prince Andrew and talked to him about my business and what I wanted to do in the future, I would recommend any young person still at school that has a business idea to get in touch with the JCYEB for advice and support"

Claire Young is a former star of the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, and has already committed to being a Patron, said:

"Hull is doing a great deal to support its enterprising young people, especially those aged 21 and under, and for me is setting the benchmark for other cities to follow! I've seen the city support its wonderful young entrepreneurs and encourage start up businesses, which as we know are very much needed to drive our way out of economic tough times. As an entrepreneur I know how important it is to be listened to and given a fair chance to demonstrate what we can do. The Youth Enterprise Bank provides this opportunity and I hope you will consider giving it your support. With your help the Youth Enterprise Bank can support the entrepreneurs of the future within your community!"

Further Information

1) The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank was established in 2003 and it has supported over 350 enterprising young people in Hull and the East Riding.

2) It has established a dedicated website for the new bondholders, designed and hosted by young entrepreneur Kit Hargreaves of Apple Pear http://www.jcyeb-bondholders.co.uk/

3) In 2014 it was awarded the NatWest Special Merit Award for championing enterprise at the GB Entrepreneurs Awards

4) The management group consists of educationalists, local businesses and young entrepreneurs (who have previously received support from JCYEB) who also act as mentors and are part of a support network.

5) The JCYEB also contributes to the youth enterprise Eco System in the area by sponsoring Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, the £5 Blossom Programme as well as the Be Enterprise Group of teachers and tutors.

6) Key Facts about John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank

• Established in 2003

• Age range 13 to 21 year olds

• Grants of up to £1000

• Hull & East Riding young people can apply

• 326 young people have received a grant

• £650 average grant

• 40% of recipients from East Hull

• 35% of recipients from West Hull

• 20% of recipients from North Hull

• 5% of recipients from East Riding

• 25% of recipients are aged 13-16 yrs

• 25% of recipients are aged 16-18 yrs

• 50% of recipients are aged 18-21 yrs

7) Types of businesses supported

Sea Food processing business

Website developers

Photographers

Beauticians

Gardeners

Hairdressers

Cycle repairs

Stationery Printers

Chocolate maker

Bespoke tailoring

Hair dressers

Online music lessons

Dress makers

Paint & Decorator

Up-cycled clothing

Hand made mascots

Jewellery Maker

Personalised Mugs & Tees

Digital games business

Top 6 tips for young entrepreneurs by Richard Branson.

The Virgin Founder recently answered a reader’s question by listing six things that every fledgling entrepreneur should bear in mind when starting up…


"Ultimately, there’s only one way to start your career, and that’s by starting a business. If you find yourself hesitating, remember my motto: Screw it, just do it," explained Richard Branson.

Take a read of his six quick tips and let us know which one resonates with you. Or maybe you think he’s missed a trick? In which case let us know your own tip below…



1. Think about what drives you

When you’re considering which idea to turn into a business, think about the subjects and problems that interest you most. Is there an industry you love? A talent you have? A cause that you are 110 per cent behind? Don’t start a business just because you think it’ll turn a profit; if you’re not in love with the idea, you won’t move mountains to make it happen.



2. Start at your doorstep

Now that you have decided on the area you’d like to focus on, look around yourself. What is the market missing that it desperately needs? Which services do you and your friends use that are lackluster and could be hugely improved? Think about how your business could help your street, your neighbourhood and your city. From there, you might someday expand to bigger markets.



3. Shake things up

As you design your product or service, remember your resolve to serve the public; business is about improving other people’s lives. Hopefully, once you’ve done that, more money comes in than goes out.

From Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic to Virgin Money and Virgin Active, our team has always launched businesses out of a genuine desire to disrupt the status quo and improve things for customers.



4. Listen to advice, not to naysayers

When you’re just starting out, you should ask those with experience in your field for advice, especially your parents. But be careful not to confuse discouraging comments for good advice. Lots of people will tell you that your idea won’t work, or that it has been done before. When I started out, I lost count of the people who told me that I wouldn’t succeed.

Image from Virgin.com



5. Stay focused - and motivated

You need to dream big and have lofty goals - but in your first year, concentrate on establishing your business and surviving. Keep your eyes on the prize and on day-to-day operations, setting small targets for each day, then each week, each month, each quarter and each year. Write them down and then tick them off. You will be amazed at how much satisfaction you get from this.



6. Love what you do

Whatever you’re doing in business, it should be fun. That has always been a priority at Virgin, and it’s a vital component of our success. I love what we do, our employees love what we do, and so our customers love what we do, too.

Top Tips and Advice

For over 10 years I have worked both within and outside my job developing programmes and projects to support enterprising young people in the city, bringing partners to Hull such as Rotherham Ready, the London Youth Support Trust and the Duke of York's iDEA Award. The three highlights of my career was establishing the John Cracknel Youth Enterprise Bank in 2004 which has supported over 350 young people with a grant to support their enterprising idea and establishing our national reputation as a city that promotes an enterprise culture through our involvement in Global Entrepreneurship Week and the establishment of the country's first youth enterprise partnership.


During this time I have come across many top tips for entrepreneurs to take notice of well, now I have decided to publish my own top10 tips for enterprising young people.

1. Take risks.

One of the most exciting parts of being an entrepreneur is the thrill and exhilaration you get from seeing if something works. I have always taken risks in my working life, one of the biggest was establishing the youth enterprise bank as I had no idea that it would capture the imagination of so many people who were keen to support our enterprising young people and I am now really pleased that we have launched our new bondholders scheme whereby local businesses can support young entrepreneurs in Hull and the East Riding.

2. Network up.

Networking up can afford you mentorship opportunities, help strengthen your network (obviously) and help you learn from people who have the success you desire. This is one of the reasons why Hull has a young entrepreneurs network called Let's Talk Business and there is a Woman's Enterprise in the Humber. Your peer group is going to be with you forever. Meet them, learn from them, network with them, as said in No 5 look for relevant networking groups check out these websites and choose which is most suitable for you

You’re going to always have more knowledge and experience than others. Even if you’ve only been an entrepreneur for one month, there’s an entrepreneur out there that’s only been an entrepreneur for one day.

3. Be open to advice.

Listening to the right advice is valuable to your business and your life. At the same take everything with a grain of salt, and learn how to trust your gut – also always work with people you like, this is important. If you don’t like the people you work with, you will never be able to maximize your opportunities and thrive.

4. Disconnect.

It’s easy to lock yourself in a room and work all day and night. Learning to disconnect is just as important as working hard. Your brain needs rest. Disconnecting can give your brain the necessary reset it may need to help solve the problems you're facing that day. This might be the most valuable lesson you learn.

5. Ask for help.

Put the pride aside. This thing called entrepreneurship is much too difficult to do alone. Ask for help. People will respect your willingness to learn and be humble. You’d be surprised what can happen when you ask. If ever in doubt how just asking for help can make a difference ask any young entrepreneur that you may know what they gained from the sentence starting with "excuse me I was wondering could you tell me .........."

6 . Write down what you learn.

Entrepreneurship is about solving problems and learning on the go. It’s exciting to learn new things, and as entrepreneurs we should be learning something new every day. That’s part of the gift of entrepreneurship.

Writing down the things you learn on a daily basis is important too. Some days are harder than others, and having a journal of all of the things you’ve learned will give you strength when you’re feeling weak.

Learning is an asset, and your lessons can help give you reassurance when you feel like giving up. It can be that "money in the bank" when there's actually not any money in the bank, and give you the courage to keep fighting.

7. Use LinkedIn and other forms of social media

LinkedIn is a very effective business tool. You can network with pretty much anyone, read blog posts and show off your accomplishments and expertise on your profile. There is nothing wrong with highlighting your successes and contacting people you think might be able to help you with your business. When using facebook and twitter to promote your business make sure you are not linked to any personal accounts that might put off a potential business opportunity, read up on the rules and regulations on the use of social media and than use what is the best for you. I was always told not to direct tweet someone with information – well if I had not we would not have received the support we have from the local business community.

8. Read everything.

Dedicate time to reading blogs, newspapers, magazines and books. Read stuff related and unrelated to your business and read fiction and non-fiction. I read everything, and it makes me more intelligent, cultured and dare I say more determined to ensure that our young entrepreneurs get the support that they deserve.

9. Get a part-time job.

If you don’t have regular income coming in from your startup yet, get a job, even if you have support or savings. It will help alleviate your monetary stresses, which can create an unhealthy mental state.

You need to be strong as possible to take over the world through business, and the last thing you want to think about is how to pay rent next month. Plus, at your part-time job, you can tell everyone about your new business, and potentially gain users, clients or customers depending on what type of business you’re creating.

10. Don’t ever give up.

If you’re an entrepreneur, be an entrepreneur. Don’t listen to the naysayers. If you fail with one idea, start another. You’re an entrepreneur, no matter what, whether up or down, success or failure, you’re always an entrepreneurs. Remember that. I never forget how in 2011 Manchester City and their fans never gave up in their desire to win the Premier League and no one will ever forget Sergio Augero's last minute goal that saw them win the title.

Bonus: Have fun.

Do what you want, enjoy life, build the business and culture you've always dreamed of. Fun is infectious, and can help attract the right customers, the right team and all of the right opportunities.

I you would like to know more feel free to contact me at charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk if I can be of any help. Also check out www.youthenterprise.co.uk if you are aged 13 to 21 and live in Hull and the East Riding or if your interested in the work of the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership check our www.youthenterprise.co.uk

£5 Blossom Celebration - 11th

Hull City Council’s Make £5 Blossom project will be holding its 11^th end celebration event at the Guildhall on April the 21^st and will see primary school pupils and young apprentices, sharing their enterprising journeys of how they used the loan they received from their business partners to hopefully make a profit.

The only boundaries set for the young people was that their ideas would need to have an element of involving the promotion of Hull or the City of Culture success in some way or another, other than that they could be as enterprising as they wanted.

Each group of young people were given a loan of £250 in November 2014 from their business partner and have had to show their entrepreneurial spirit whilst using the Big 13 Enterprise Skills to hopefully make a profit, this will then be shared between our enterprising young people, The Lord Mayors Charity and the Be Enterprising Group of practitioners.

Involvement in this round has included Gillshill Primary and Sangwin, Stoneferry and Spencer’s, Victoria Dock and Apple Pear, St Nicholas’ and Hull Daily Mail, Bellfield and TArran Photography, Mersey and AB Rooms, Hull Training and HBP Systems Ltd, Longhill and KC, St Richards and The Deep, Thorpepark and NPS and Elloughton and St Stephen’s Shopping Centre.

Ruth Truelove at St Stephen's Shopping Centre said:

 "Make £5 Blossom is an excellent scheme that we've been delighted to support for a number of years. Through the work that we do, we see so many examples of talent, creativity and entrepreneurialism even in the youngest pupils. The results of the children's projects each year never fail to encourage and inspire us."

Oliver Nicoll, of HBP Systems Ltd, said:

"It has been fantastic working with such a great team of guys, they have all shown great enthusiasm in getting the project going, taking a good idea and turning it into a great business opportunity. I think with a little more time they will continue to flourish …. And who knows where Dr Jams could end up”

Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2015

The Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, supported by Hull City Council, the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and Ruth Badger is open to young people aged 24 or under, and has three age ranges - Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Post 16 with individuals or groups able to apply.

Candidates must be living in Hull or the East Riding and have an enterprising idea such as a new business idea, a co-operative, a community enterprise project or an enterprising school or college project. The winners of each section will get the opportunity to pitch at Global Entrepreneurship Week to double their winnings against a panel chaired by Ruth Badger herself and receive business support from Ruth badger Consultancy. The deadline for entries is 31^st July 2015.

Prize money for the winners of each section is as follows:
Primary School section up to £500
Secondary School section up to £750
Post 16 - Business idea for 16-24 year olds up to £1,200 

Louise Upfold of Weasie Wears, winner of Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014, said:

"I was really surprised and pleased to win the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014 for my bespoke tailoring business not only did I win a cash prize I also received support from local young entrepreneurs, including a new website from Kit Hargreaves of Apple Pear and Thomas Arran Photographer is taking photographs of my products, and of course it’s great to have access to such a successful businesswoman as Ruth Badger”

 “There is no doubt without the support of Ruth, I would not have got as far as I have with my business idea."

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, said:

"As a Council we have a real commitment to developing an enterprise culture amongst our young people with the Hull Youth Enterprise a Partnership so they in turn can benefit from future opportunities in our great City.

“I am pleased that once again Ruth has committed to support this enterprise challenge and we look forward to it producing great potential young entrepreneurs like Louise who won last year.”

Ruth Badger, added: "I am very passionate about enterprise and ensuring young people have the opportunity to engage in it! Out of all the cities and towns in the UK that I work with, I believe that Hull are the best at engaging real entrepreneurs and successful businesses in partnering up with future young entrepreneurs, and that is why I set up this competition in your area with the Hull City Council six years ago.

"I want to encourage young people in Hull and the East Riding, an area that I have adopted for its commitment to its enterprising young people, that are possibly are not at the stage where they feel can develop their idea on their own or need some extra confidence with financial resource and mentoring."

Enterprise time has come in schools, colleges & training providers! No more excuses

After over 10 years of campaigning, the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership can be very proud that the latest DfE information for schools and colleges  on Careers Advice and Guidance has the following clear and unambiguous guidance for our colleagues in schools, colleges and governing bodies.

1. Schools should offer pupils the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills for self- employment – and make it clear to them that working for themselves is a viable option (in fact it will be necessary for many). Pupils should receive the advice and support necessary to build and develop their own jobs, and have a clear understanding of potential barriers – whether real or perceived. 

2. A clear focus on the enterprise skills, experience and qualifications that employers want can support preparation for work. Schools should help pupils gain the confidence to compete in the labour market by providing opportunities to gain the practical know-how and attributes that are relevant for employment.

3. Colleges should ensure that students understand that self-employment or setting up their own business is one of the options open to them. Colleges should consider the importance of developing an enterprising culture to help students obtain the skills needed to succeed in self-employment. 

In my opinion as an enterprise champion for 15 years, the work of the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, Be Enterprising Group of practitioners, development of training programmes and enterprise passport for pupils, our £5 Blossom programme and the Big 13 enterprise skills www.hullready.co.uk (developed with our colleagues in Rotherham) the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge www.hullbadgers.co.uk, by which pupils win real cash and advice from entrepreneurs, our young entrepreneurs network - Lets Talk Business and  Youth Enterprise Bank www YouthEnterprise.co.uk, as well as our events and activities in Global Entrepreneurship Week www.gewhull.co.uk, are tools that we have developed in Hull for our enterprising young people that schools should now make use of along with the many other enterprising programmes run by individual partners involved in the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership www.youthenterprise-hull.co.uk 

So let's step forward "enterprise skills and entrepreneurship" time has come and we have a duty to our young people to support them when we can with the support of schools and when this is not possible through our various community based networks - we need to continue to recognise those schools that do this already through our Youth Enterprise Awards, encourage those that do not to get involved through our networks in particular the Be Enterprise Group www.beenterprisinghull.co.uk and challenge, in a positive way, those that are not carrying out their duties clearly identified in the recent Careers Advice and Guidance statements from Department for Education published March 2015.

I for one believe schools and colleges as well as training providers, no longer have an excuse in saying enterprise is not important as DfE are clearly saying something else, Hull has a long tradition of supporting enterprise education in those schools that get it - now we expect and hope all Hull schools, colleges, training providers and indeed all those across the Humber and the UK get it and that LEPs in particular our own starts to accept its worth investing in those organisations and partners who have championed this agenda for years in order to create a more enterprising workforce of the future and of course more young entrepreneurs - so come on schools, colleges, training providers and funding agencies its up to you now back us so we enterprise educators can make a real difference.

Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor Lord Young, published a report on the changing face of business over the past 5 years

A new report on small firms from the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor Lord Young, published today, reviews the changing face of business over the past 5 years. Lord Young’s report on small firms  shows that small businesses are entering a ‘golden age’, with a record number of small firms now established in the UK – some 5.2 million, an increase of 760,000 since 2010 – and a record number of people in work.

It finds that our changing relationship with the internet has brought down barriers that might previously have stopped a good idea from being turned into a viable business. The government’s drive to roll out super-fast broadband around the country, which has now reached over 2 million homes and businesses, and the increasing use of tablets and smartphones providing on-the-go internet access have made it easier for those working for themselves to reach customers and make sales.

The report also charts a change in culture, with growing numbers of people choosing to be their own boss including young people not simply out of commercial necessity in particular young people, but because of conviction in their own ideas.

It also outlines how government policies providing more support for small firms and new enterprises have helped transform the business landscape over the past 5 years. As part of the government’s long term plan to back business, create jobs and build a more resilient economy, Lord Young was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Advisor in October 2011 and asked to review support for small businesses and look at how new and developing businesses can grow.

Ross Bennett Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership said

“Since his appointment as the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Adviser, Lord Young’s reports have helped inform our youth enterprise strategy and action plan in Hull to support enterprising young people.

We were particularly pleased to contribute to his report Enterprise for All, published in June 2014, which focused on the entrepreneurial spirit in education. It looked at how schools, colleges and universities work with employers to inspire and motivate young people and help them make the best choices for their future education and careers. It recommended that young people should have a digital record of extra-curricular achievements and business-related activity, an Enterprise Passport, alongside their exam results, which we are already developing a local version with teachers and tutors in the City.”

As a partnership we welcome the idea of a new company to bring coherence and leadership to enterprise learning in education, backed with £20m in the first year. The company will develop an Enterprise Passport and a network of Enterprise Advisers working with local intermediaries and the Humber LEP in our area to put in place a network of Enterprise Advisers, who will often be local business people, providing advice to head teachers on developing an enterprise offer for their pupils as part of their duty under the Careers Statutory Guidance."

Lord Young said:

In the last 5 years I have met countless numbers of inspiring young entrepreneurs and small firms including representatives from the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and members of your young entrepreneurs network  who presented me with a copy of Hull’s Enterprise Trail Game which I understand you are now developing as an APP to be made available to young people in your city.

My report reflects on the key developments that government and its partners have supported to raise ambition about enterprise and enable entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.

Put these together and you can see the transformative effect on enterprise opportunities in the UK today. This is the golden age for small firms – there has never been a better time to start and grow a business.

Further Information

The Report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-small-firms-2010-to-2015-by-lord-young