Success Stories Archives - Page 7 of 7

Beebies Baby Store – Business venture from college student Ami Holt

October 4, 2012

Client: Ami HoltBusiness: Beebies Baby Store

Description: A new baby gift business supplying affordable, pretty and practical gifts tailored to suit your needs.

Telephone: 07850858212

Website: www.wix.com/brassm/beebiesbabystore

Why did you decide to start Beebies Baby Store?

I was inspired to set up Beebies Baby Store when a number of my family and friends fell pregnant around the same time and I struggled to find gifts which were affordable, pretty and useful, so I put hampers together myself. I spotted the gap in the market and so here I am!

What does Beebies Baby Store provide?

Beebies provides a variety of gifts from Beebies Baby Baskets containing 10 items from well known brands, to personalised cushions and soft furnishings. A baby shower hosting service is also on offer.

You are a college student who has opted for business rather than University. Why do you feel this is the right choice for you?

I have chosen to take the “fourth option” and make my mark on the world of business rather than go to university, as I have always been independent and its my dream to run a successful company.

Imagine yourself in 5 years time. What do you hope to have achieved?

I can’t say too much about my plans for the future, however I do see Beebies Baby Store having a lot of potential to become a national success.

Business Tip

“Believe in your ideas, only tell certain things to certain people and don’t be shy to ask for help!”

Success Stories

Mint Fresh Services – Cleaner than clean!

September 1, 2012

Client: Daniel Warren

Business: Mint Fresh Services

Description: An honest, reliable and value for money cleaning service – no job too big or small!

Telephone: 07999744788

Website: www.mintfreshservices.co.uk

Daniel has recently graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) with a BA in Business Studies. Daniel was introduced to the Kent Foundation by him entering Kent Entrepreneurs Initiative (KEI), he went on to win the Peer Award on the evening for his professionalism and then to further develop his business he accessed the Mentor Service. He has now had Test Trading and is about to launch his business, Mint Fresh Services.

Why did you decide to launch your own business?

I decided to start my own business because I didn’t want to settle for a job I didn’t particularly enjoy, which is likely what would have happened in today’s economic climate. I’d always wanted to build a successful business and be self employed, so together with 7 years academic business experience and 5 years experience in the cleaning industry with my part time job, I decided to start ‘Mint Fresh Services’.

What support have you received?

I have a Business Mentor, Keita, from Kent Foundation. Having a mentor during the process of starting a business was hugely beneficial to me. Having someone with knowledge and experience in business as well as an unbiased opinion helped me make the right decisions, the first time. He also helped me create a business plan that I could use as a tool and a guide during different growth stages of my business.

What do you hope to achieve in business?

I hope to achieve many things from starting my own business; I want to disprove certain people from thinking young people can’t be successful in business, I want to put all my academic experience into practice and be successful and one day like to become a volunteer mentor to help someone in the same way Keita helped me.

The NETFORCE 2 project was selected as part of the France (Channel)-England cross border European cooperation programme INTERREG IVA co-financed by ERDF. This project was launched in January 2011 and ran until September 2013 in Kent and the Upper Normandy region. It gave the opportunity to test new tools to support the entrepreneur in his journey to create a new or take over an existing business.

Business Tip

The quote I always try to remember is:

“Business either goes forwards or it goes backwards, it never stands still.”

Success Stories

A Flexible Approach To Working

July 11, 2011

Client: Veronica Akinyemi

Business: Smart Opportunities

Description: A specialist and relationship based consultancy service that promotes flexible working. A major strand of the service is the ‘flexolution’ an online job resource for linking local business employers to skilled and flexible candidates in Kent. ‘Flexolution – flexible working solutions for employers and skilled candidates

Telephone: 0844 3579 177

Website: www.smartopportunities.co.uk

A Mumpreneur, who decided to give up her job to offer support to help people find flexible and part-time jobs in Kent.

A bit about Veronica?

Is a mum of two toddlers and as a working mum she felt that there was no option but to either go to work or stay at home, there was no medium in between, it was a case of one or the other. Being a working mum in a team that supported flexible working was both supporting and motivating and gave her and other people in the team a greater morale and improved productivity. When this was not the case and being in an environment that did not support the benefits of flexible working it proved to be more stressful and de-motivating.

A highly educated individual having attained a Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Degree in Human Resources Management along with membership of the professional body the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development means she has a fountain of knowledge on the subject area of Human Resources and people development. This knowledge has been put in to practice by working with both public and private sector organisations helping to develop, implement and deliver suitable solutions to aid their people development strategies. Training has been developed and delivered to a wide range of professionals including senior managers, frontline staff and business support functions and they have always been well received by the participants.

“I am grateful to Paul Barron and everyone at Kent Foundation for young entrepreneurs for their immeasurable support and belief in my business idea. The financial support from Kent foundation came at the right time and has helped to make my dreams a reality”

What is The Business?

The Flexolution a word derived from flexible and solution to form a flexible solution. A website that is dedicated to providing part-time and flexible jobs to Kent. A part of this is also to include a range of services which have been designed to support the professional development of women in Kent. A flexible approach has worked in London and is now being developed in Kent where job seekers can find flexible and part time careers with the additional support of various workshops that can aid career development.

What gave you the idea for your business?

Having met many women in Kent who do not work because of the simple fact that they can’t find roles that fit around their other commitments. Many of them have given up good jobs to avoid the long commute. Veronica gave up her well paid job to do something about this. The business launched now as she feels that the world of work is changing and the current economic climate gives organisations the perfect opportunity to tap into the skills of talented women who are willing to work on a part-time/flexible basis. The idea is to find local jobs for local people and being keen to partner with local schools, community agencies, business clubs to name but a few to promote this to local people and local organisations.

Quotes that motivate Veronica:

“You can do it mum” ~ Veronica’s two toddlers

“Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary aswell. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else” ~ Brian Tracy

“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts” ~ Unknown source

For more information on how to post a job or become a job seeker visit:

www.flexolution.co.uk

www.smartopportunities.co.uk

Become a fan on Facebook

Business Tip

1. Never stop learning and exploring ways to make your business better. Kent Foundation for young entrepreneurs matched me to my current business mentor, and I have learnt so much from him.

2. I have observed that the world is full of reasonable people who follow conventional wisdom, doing the same thing again and again. In business, one has to be unreasonable but with good reasons. One must be passionate, determined and think creatively (out of the box..)

3. Get out there and network!!!

Category: Success Stories