Enterprising Young Brits 2007 winners and finalists
The final day of the Enterprising Young Brits competition saw each finalist give a five minute pitch to our panel of judges which included Harry Rich (Chief Executive of Make Your Mark), Martin Wyn Griffith (BERR), Alex Brummer (Daily Mail), Elaine Roberts (Vodafone) and MYM ambassador and entrepreneur Dominic McVey. The five category winners and the winner of the People’s Choice public vote were announced at the awards ceremony, which was attended by Gordon Brown and John Hutton.
The winners are...
Business entrepreneur
Adam Goodyer and James Perkins from Concert Live
www.concertlive.co.uk
Social & community
Nathaniel Peat from The Safety Box
www.thesafetybox.org
Teen
Giles Peters from Diabetic Hampers
www.diabetichampers.co.uk
Creative
Jessica Huie from Colorblind Cards
www.colorblindcards.com
Highly commended – Eddie Riby from Parcel Safe www.parcelsafe.tv
High growth
Oliver Bishop from Steak Media
www.steakmedia.co.uk
People’s Choice
With over 1,000 of the total 7,130 votes the People’s Choice was Nathaniel Peat from The Safety Box
www.thesafetybox.org
Congratulations to all the winners - read more about them and the other fabulous finalists below:
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Creative
Cherie Federico (28), York
Aesthetica Magazine
www.aestheticamagazine.com
Cherie Federico, 28, was inspired to set up Aesthetica after being inspired by a publishing internship as part of her degree. Cherie spotted a gap in the market for an arts magazine that covers literature, visual arts, music, film and theatre in every issue. Aesthetica was set up while Cherie was studying, using her credit card to fund the first issue.
The manager of her local Borders expressed an interest, and very soon the magazine was being stocked in branches in York and Leeds. She has since given up a full time graduate job to concentrate on the magazine, which has a readership of 45,000. Securing national distribution via WH Smith has had a major impact on the business. Cherie now employs five members of staff and has over 200 institutional subscriptions, including universities and schools, who see the magazine as a useful resource for educating students on British arts and culture.
Jessica Huie (27), London
Colorblind Cards Ltd
www.colorblindcards.com
Jessica Huie, 27, spotted a gap in the market after feeling frustrated that few greetings cards represented the diverse nature of UK society, depicting images of adults and children from Black, Asian or mixed-race descent. Using her savings, and whilst working full time in PR, Jessica dedicated her evenings and weekends to setting up Colorblind Cards, which features natural photographs and inspirational captions on each card.
In May 2007 the UK’s largest card chain, Clinton Cards, rolled out the range and Colorblind Cards is now stocked in 100 of their stores, as well as 45 independent shops. Jessica has plans to launch a range of gift items next year.
Vicki Psarias (26), London
Writer / Director
www.vpsarias.co.uk
Whilst studying for an MA in TV Drama at Goldsmith’s University in London, Vicki Psarias, now 26, independently raised £12,000 in funds to make her first short film, Rifts, about two warring Cypriot kebab shop owners in London. Rifts won several awards and Vicki has since gone on to make her second short film, Broken, which was selected from hundreds to be funded by the Tower Hamlets and Hackney Production Scheme for Film London, and stars Michelle Collins.
By taking an enterprising approach Vicki managed to make a £100,000 film for only £12,000, convincing those involved to work for in return for expenses alone. She recently won a Channel 4 4Talent award and was a finalist for the Kodak Awards 2007. In her spare time Vicki edits Film & Festival magazine, which is stocked by 42 Borders stores across the UK.
Tony Higson (29), West Sussex
Highson
www.highson.co.uk
Tony Higson designed the Highson after becoming increasingly annoyed at how creased his clothes were getting while cycling to work. The Highson is an innovative cycling jacket with a removable suit carrier attached by zip at the back and it’s aimed at the ever increasing number of commuters who choose to cycle to work.
With over 11 years in retail sales and management, Tony has invested around £20,000 into designing the initial prototype, research, marketing, patenting and website design and is currently looking to China to manufacture the product.
Eddie Riby (24), Barnsley
Parcel Safe
www.parcelsafe.tv
Eddie Riby, 24, launched the Parcel Safe in 2006, after feeling frustrated when regularly missing deliveries of packages that would not fit in his letterbox. With the help of a designer he developed a lockable box which fits outside the home and keeps parcels safe and secure. Since its launch Eddie has sold over 3,000 units and won the prestigious Gold award for ‘Best New Hardware/ DIY product at the DIY and Garden Show 2007.
Social
Amanda Jones (23), Glasgow
Red Button Design
www.thisisredbutton.co.uk
Red Button Design was founded in 2006 by Amanda Jones, 23, and two friends, following Amanda’s desire to start up a design company that addressed real global issues.
The first product is the Reverse Osmosis Sanitation System (ROSS), an innovative water transport, sanitation and storage device for use and manufacture in developing countries. The mechanical movement of the product’s wheels drives a filter system through the tank, so when the user returns from walking to collect water, the water dispensed is completely safe for drinking and bathing. The ROSS is currently in testing stages. Red Button Design is also looking at developing a shelter concept for use with homeless people or in disaster zones, in conjunction with Engineers Without Borders UK.
Mark Bowness (28) and Ben Keene (28), Wirral
Tribe Wanted
www.tribewanted.com
Launched in 2006, Tribe Wanted is a concept created by friends Mark Bowness and Ben Keene, both 28, to develop a sustainable eco-community and interactive online community on the 200 acre island of Vorovoro in Fiji. The goal is for 5,000 members from around the world to become part of a tribe that will not only exist online, but will also settle, 100 at a time, on the island to help build an eco-village. Over 100 jobs have been created for locals in the North of Fiji, and partnerships have been built with organisations including Climate Care, STA Travel and eco-electricity.
James Dunlop (23), London
MyHab
www.myhab.com
Whilst studying Product Design James Dunlop, 23, came up with the idea for the myhab, an eco friendly two-person habitat made from recycled cardboard and plastic. myhab was initially designed to combat the inconvenience and waste caused through traditional camping, particularly at music festivals where thousands of tents are left behind. Whilst supplying myhabs at festivals and events James is also exploring the idea of marketing the product as an emergency shelter in natural disaster situations.
Alice Whiteley (29), London
Loop
www.loopkids.co.uk
Alice Whiteley, 29, had the idea for Loop in May 2006 when she discovered how expensive it was to buy essential kit for her new born baby, and how much went to waste as her child grew up.
Loop – a store where parents can buy and sell high quality toys, equipment and clothing for their children – launched nearly a year later in April 2007 on Ealing High Street, providing an ethical alternative and reducing waste.
Alice plans to expand initially within London and then nationwide.
Nathaniel Peat (28), London
The Safety Box
www.thesafetybox.org
Nathaniel Peat set up The Safety Box out of a desire to proactively address the fact that young people carry weapons because they are afraid of being attacked.
By combining personal safety and martial arts experience, The Safety Box is a programme targeting young people in school, raising their levels of attainment and respect by teaching them conflict resolution, verbal diffusion, aggression management, assertion tactics, safety awareness and personal confidence.
Launched in 2006, programmes are adapted for each individual school and age group, and can fit in with the PSHE / citizenship curriculum.
Teen
Louis Barnett (16), Shropshire
Chokolit
www.chokolit.co.uk
Louis Barnett, 16, started making chocolate for his friends and family in his parents’ garage in the Autumn of 2005. With Christmas coming up he found his chocolates were in demand and he needed to think about how to package them. The cost of packaging seemed excessively high and so Louis found a simple solution – turn the product into the packaging. The edible chocolate box was born.
In early 2006, the chocolates became a listed product in Waitrose and Louis is now the youngest supplier the supermarket chain has ever had. Since August he has supplied 36,000 boxes of chocolate, and is also in discussions with Sainsbury’s.
Matthew Lovett (16), Newark
Wow Group
www.wowgroup.ws
Matthew Lovett, 16, is the founder of Wow Group, an umbrella brand for several affiliate marketing websites.
British Rewards, a rewards points programme, was launched in 2005, and a number of affiliate marketing websites have since been launched outside of the UK, including Matt Cashback in Australia, Sweden and the US. British Rewards currently has over 200,000 members and works with over 1,000 retailers.
The company makes a profit of over £3,000 a month, and is looking to expand by launching a free gifts website.
Giles Peters (17), Norwich
Diabetic Hampers
www.diabetichampers.co.uk
Giles Peters, 17, was inspired to set up Diabetic Hampers after trying to put together a hamper for his diabetic uncle. He found that there was very little choice for diabetics and decided there was a gap in the market.
Giles sourced products from a number of small companies, checked them with dieticians for suitability, and launched the company in the summer of 2007. He now sells selected hampers through a gift catalogue and is in talks with several other partners to help boost revenue.
Aaron Kirkhouse and Alex Darlington (19), Pembrokeshire
Mint Gigs
www.mintgigs.com
Aaron Kirkhouse (left) set up Mint Gigs, with his friend Alex Darlington, a local music promotions company, when he was just 16, using his spare time between classes at school to organise rock nights at a local venue.
Choosing not to go to university, when leaving the sixth form, Aaron instead spent his time concentrating on his business. His hard work paid off and he now employs around five staff for events, and is working with some of the world’s largest music agencies, including WMA and the Agency Group. Highlights include organising ‘Pop in a Theme Park’ featuring girl band Girls Aloud at Wales’ largest visitor attraction, Oakwood.
High growth
Paul Thomas (25) & Henry Braithwaite (25), Portsmouth
Market Maker
www.marketmakers.co.uk
Market Makers was set up in 2004 by Paul Thomas and Henry Braithwaite, both aged 25, and specialises in supporting other companies in their growth strategies through marketing and telemarketing. The school-friends invested their life savings to set up the business. In just three years the workforce has increased from just two, to over 85 full time employees. It is forecast to turnover £2.5m by the end of 2007.
Rob Williams (28) & Jason Tavaria (27), Liverpool
Dolphin Music
www.dolphinmusic.co.uk
School friends Rob Williams, 28 and Jason Tavaria, 27, always knew they wanted to work for themselves, and in September 1999, whilst at university, the pair dreamed up Dolphin Music, using their student loans as start-up funding.
Initially Dolphin Music sold electrical musical equipment online. After the first year, running the business from home, they moved to premises at an industrial estate in Liverpool and began recruiting staff. Having grown the company at a steady rate, learning from their mistakes and gaining invaluable business experience along the way, they now employ 54 staff and have achieved sales in excess of £9 million in 2007.
They have now opened retail stores in Liverpool, Gateshead and Huddersfield and the pair has plans to expand into Europe and the Far East.
Warren Bennett (26), London
A suit that fits
www.asuitthatfits.com
Warren Bennett, 26, (left) and friend David Hathiramani, launched aSuitThatFits.com in June 2006. A SuitThatFits.com is the world’s first online tailor-made suit company, creating high quality, individually hand-tailored suits, with prices starting from £110.
After just one year in business, the company employs eight staff in London and 43 in Nepal. Sales to date are worth around £522,000 and an annual turnover in excess of £2 million is predicted by 2008.
As well as growing their business, Warren and David also believe in giving back to the Nepalese community, with 5% of the cost of each suit donated to a school in Nepal.
Oliver Zissman (30), London
Totally Fitness
www.totallyfitness.co.uk
Oliver Zissman, 30, set up Totally Fitness in 1997, selling fitness equipment initially online, and then from a small office two years later.
The business grew rapidly, and the 2,500 square foot flagship store in central London was opened in 2001. This was followed by a concession in Harrods and a further four stores. Clients include Royalty, heads of state and celebrities, and Oliver now employs 31 people and has a turnover of £5.5 million.
Oliver Bishop (30), London
Steak Media
www.steakmedia.co.uk
Having been named as one of the top ’30 under 30’ in 2004 by Media Week for co-founding search marketing agency Espotting, it was obvious Ollie Bishop was on to great things. In 2005, he set up Steak Media, spotting a gap in the market for an independent digital agency with specialised in search marketing.
Since then Steak Media has grown to 40 staff, increased its turnover by 392% to £14.5 million in 2007, boasting clients including John Lewis, British Gas, Time Out and IPC.
Business
James Taylor (26), Cardiff
Sportstars
www.sport-stars.co.uk
James Taylor, 26, was inspired to set up Sportstars in 2005 when he realised there were no sports coaching facilities available for young people in his area of South Wales. Initially running sports coaching courses in the school holidays, James and his team of specialist coaches now also provide a service in schools, helping teachers to fulfil their planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) regulation. Since launching with only £1,000 in savings, Sportstars turned over more than £1 million in its second full year of trading and is forecast to turn over around £2m next year.
Jerome Touze (27) and Peter Ward (27), London
WAYN
www.wayn.com
Jerome Touze (right) and Peter Ward, both 27, established travel social networking site Where Are You Now? (WAYN) in September 2002. WAYN helps travellers stay in touch with their friends but also publishes reviews of hotels, restaurants and tourist sites.
With initial seed capital funding from Steven Pankhurst, founder of Friends Reunited, the website has grown into one of the largest travel and lifestyle social networking communities with over 9 million members in over 200 countries worldwide.
Initially started as a sideline, Jerome and Peter have since left their jobs as management consultants to work full time on the site, which was recently named the fifth fastest growing social network and boasts a number of high-profile business figures on the board including Brent Hoberman, of lastminute.com.
Adam Goodyer (29) and James Perkins (29)
Concert Live
www.concertlive.co.uk
Adam Goodyer and James Perkins, both 29, established Concert Live in September 2005, recording live music concerts and selling the high quality CDs to the public. To date, they have sold over 70,000 CDs and worked with some of the UK’s biggest artists including Keane, The Feeling and Faithless. In just two years, the business now employs up to 50 people and is set for an annual turnover of £1 million by the end of 2007.
Daniel Ox (27), Upminster
Fruit for the Office
www.fruitfortheoffice.co.uk
Daniel Ox, 27, the fourth generation of a family of fruiterers, set up Fruit for the Office last year, having found out how much importance UK organisations are now placing on the health of their workforce. Fruit for the Office delivers handpicked fruit to offices throughout the UK, with free delivery in London. Clients include JP Morgan, CNN and easyJet. Daniel now employs eight staff and in the first 12 months of trading sales are projected to hit £500,000.
Matthew McNeill (26), London
Sign-Up.to
www.sign-up.to
Matt McNeill, 26, set up Sign-Up.to in 2004, an email and mobile marketing solution which is now on of the world’s leading self-service tools for permission-based marketing.
It has since doubled in size each year and boasts over 700 UK clients including high street brands, Snappy Snaps and Haws & Curtis. It has 11 staff operating from two UK offices, and Matt was recently selected as one of the Top 10 Future Business Leaders in the Courvoisier / Observer Future 500.