Make Your Mark Blog

I’ve been inspired by a wide variety of fantastic entrepreneurs at each event I’ve been to so far this week. From committed community based social entrepreneurs like Chrissey Townsend, founder of the Teviot Action Group, to energetic dynamic young entrepreneurs Sally Broom of YourSafePlanet and Nathaniel Peat of The Safety Box and , to brilliant innovators such as Celia Gates of Doctor Cook, and famous names like James Caan and Peter Jones.

I’d be interested to hear who has inspired you the most this week?

The Steakhouse Team have been very impressed by the food at this years EW events. There’s something about the spread laid on by an event that speaks volumes.

The week was kick-started by The Big Debate –Can Entrepreneurs Change The World? Upon arrival we were treated to some lovely bowl food – bangers and mash, mushroom tagine and salads. It was all delicious and, appropriately, being bowl food, allowed us to eat and debate simultaneously.

Some of the young people I’ve seen this week have been surprised at their ability to do public speaking - after being asked to do so at Enterprise Week events. One of the Prime Minister’s Global Fellows spoke in front of 400+ people on Monday (at Chain Reaction) and the confidence it gave her was amazing, I know she’ll go onto better things in the future as a result. I said to her that talking about something you’re passionate about makes it easier to talk with confidence in front of others.

Yesterday, I wrote a blog. The mother of all blogs. Internet connection went down, and the blog was left a note floating in cyber-space. So now I post my much anticipated (!) blog:

Well, i’m sitting here next to a very inspirational women. Sarah, the founder of Pai Skincare. She’s been running her organic skincare company for two years - and having used her fabulous lipbalm for a while now, I can honestly say they’re great products! - and is here today to hear from some great speakers debate the questions on all our lips…

Check out what the Prime Minister had to say at yesterday’s Big Debate event in London:

Day one of Global Entrepreneurship Week was brilliant. It started slowly as I’m fighting off a cold but the adrenalin soon kicked in when the TV and radio coverage started rolling in - BBC Breakfast and the R4 Today Programme quickly followed by more R4 (You and Yours, Women’s Hour), Working Lunch and BBC Asian Network (with Peter Jones giving some valuable hints and tips on how to set up a business). At this point I’m now like a pig in you know what.

Global Entrepreneurship Week has kicked off in style! I’m in a great venue in the South bank surrounded by inspiring people, who are all here to discuss The Big Debate “In the current economic climate, can entrepreneurs change the world”?
Rt Hon Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary opened the event. My favourite statement from his opening speech was “investment into UK entrepreneurs is vital to our economy, myself and my government will stand full square behind you”

Richard Lambert, Director General, Confederation of British Industry and Peter Jones, Leading entrepreneur and chair, Enterprise insight are on the panel discussing current economic climate, business, entrepreneurs to the packed audience.

You can find out more and join the debate at: http://www.enterpriseweek.org.uk/get_involved_in/the_debate

We look forward to hearing from you!

So what’s all the fuss about you may ask? Well, here’s what we sent to the press yesterday:

• UK’s successful Enterprise Week goes global
• 77 countries take part in first Global Entrepreneurship Week
• UK takes lead with around 6,000 events and over half a million participants
• Around the world over 13,000 events will take place in 77 countries
• Big name supporters include Gordon Brown, President Sarkozy, Lord Mandelson & Arnold Schwarzenegger

The UK’s fifth annual Enterprise Week starts today, bigger and bolder than ever at a time of massive economic change.

You can find a full list of the events taking place for Global Entrepreneurship Week at www.enterpriseweek.org.uk but here is a few of our favourites:

Monday 17 will see a flagship event In the current economic downturn, can entrepreneurs change the world? taking place as part of Chain Reaction. This unique gathering of policy makers, government ministers including Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, young people, global fellows, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders will start a worldwide conversation.

The fourth annual Make Your Mark Challenge – the UK’s biggest live one day enterprise challenge for schools and colleges - will kick start activity for students. It has been awarded the Inspire Mark by London 2012, and over 55,000 students will be taking part.