KCC Chairman visits Kent’s Young Entrepreneurs

by Stuart

On the 29th March 2019, the Chairman of Kent County Council, Cllr Mike Angell, and the Director of The Kent Foundation, Stuart Tanton, had a day out visiting young entrepreneurs and business owners. The visits were organised for Mike and Stuart to see the success these companies have had, as well as some time to get to know the business owners and understand some of the challenges they may of faced in their business journeys.

Ruby Frances Bridal, a designer wedding dress shop located in Minster, Thanet, and owned by sisters and business partners Sophie and Katie Kember was recently awarded The Kent Foundation Startup of the Year Award at our event in January. While there, Mike, Stuart, and the young business owners were able to talk in depth about the truly impressive boutique, what they offer, and what goes on behind the scenes for Sophie and Katie. Following the discussion, Mike and Stuart were also given an opportunity to have a guided tour around the store by the owners themselves.

“We’ve just had a lovely visit from The Chairman of Kent County Council, Mr Mike Angell and Stuart Tanton, Director of The Kent Foundation, to talk all about our business and what we do. It was a pleasure looking after them both and showing them around our shop this morning! “

@rubyfrancesbridal on Instagram

Ben Towers, an Award Winning Young Entrepreneur and former mentee of The Kent Foundation, was also visited at his office by the Chairman and Director after their initial meeting at the January event. Towers, an influential businessman who started in the sector at the age of 11, sat down with Mike and Stuart to discuss his relationship with the business world, as well as what he believes regarding the future of young entrepreneurship and all the wonders that it could lead to.
“For me it’s always the dream for youth entrepreneurship to be encouraged and developed. It’s something that’s been a huge part of my story and I know just how significant it can be for myself and other young people in my field when we see our grind and hard work being recognised and pushed.  
It was a real honour to be able to welcome the Chairman of Kent Council yesterday to my office and sit down to discuss the endless possibilities that could come from pushing youth entrepreneurship.”

@ben.towers on Instagram

SimplyHair is operated from Hersden, near Canterbury by Piperis and Amy Filippaios, Piperis is also a Kent Foundation trustee. Their company distributes high quality hair extensions and tools for application to beauticians, parlours, and the public . While there, Stuart and Cllr Mike Angell were able to talk to Piperis and his team about the company’s target markets, growth to date, and their plans for growth in the future. Mike and Stuart were also given a tour of the warehouse and the opportunity to ask questions to Piperis and his colleagues regarding the business.

“We were honoured and pleased to host Cllr Mike Angell at our office and give him a tour of the SimplyHair warehouse. I personally enjoyed hosting Mike and I know that the rest of the team also enjoyed meeting him and answering his questions, of which there were many!”
Piperis Filippaios

A huge thank you to Sophie, Katie, Ben, and Piperis for hosting Stuart and Cllr Mike Angell!

The Big Ideas Show

by Stuart

The Big Ideas Show is a weekly video and audio series, exploring ‘The Big Picture’ with creative problem solving, goal setting, leadership and motivation. Based in Folkestone, Kent, they work to bring exciting content, thoughts and creative solutions to you for discussion! They talk to creatives, businesses and individuals about what motivates them to do what they do, and where they draw their inspiration from.

Stuart was invited on The Big Ideas Show to share some thoughts on the subject of asking for help and support. We would love to hear your thoughts on this, whether you agree or not. What are your thoughts?

Kent Foundation Awards Reception

by Stuart

On the 15th January 2019, the Kent Foundation held is first Awards Evening. It took place in Sessions House, Maidstone and was very kindly hosted by the Chairman of Kent County Council, Cllr Mike Angell, to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our young entrepreneurs and hard working, dedicated team of volunteer business mentors. The evening was opened by Stuart Tanton (Director of the Kent Foundation) and saw three genres of awards being given to nominated trustees, mentors, and mentees following another successful year for The Kent Foundation, and the businesses we support.

First, The Spirit of The Kent Foundation Award, Mike Angell (Chairman of Kent County Council) and Pip Lawrence (Kent Foundation Trustee) awarded those nominated volunteers who had promoted the vision of Kent Foundation, and made significant impact on their mentees and their businesses through the ongoing support they have provided. Eight people received this award. Congratulations go to Oliver Trailor, Adam Bissill, Michaela Partridge, Joanna Dennis, David Kirk, Bryan Hall, Rohani Emmanuelson, and Liz Jenkins.

The second award of the evening recognised Start-up Business of the year. Cllr Mike Angell and Liz Jenkins (Kent Foundation Trustee and Mentor) awarded three young and hardworking businesses as a result of nominations from their mentors. The winners of this award were: Ellie Cachia of Renowned Resourcing, which connects people to their perfect job in the South East, including London, alongside mentor Adrian Wenn; Angie Everett-Penfold of Body Secrets, a massage specialist who also offers beauty service, with mentor Tunde Daczo; and Sophie and Katie Kember of Ruby Frances Bridal, an award winning wedding dress shop, with mentor Paul Markland.

The final award of the evening, the Impact Award, was handed out by Cllr Mike Angell, Julian Kirkness (Chairman of Kent Foundation), and Ben Towers (Award-winning Young Entrepreneur) to three individuals who have individually made a huge contribution in promoting and supporting young people in business and had been nominated in recognition of it; this years incredible winners were Pip Lawrence, Roger Williams, and Adrien Wenn.

A big thank you, and congratulations to you all for what you have achieved.

Following the awards ceremony, the evening continued with some great networking between volunteers and young people, whilst enjoying some exceptional food and a glass or two of Chapel Down wine. Bekka, a young entrepreneur with a new business gaining support from The Kent Foundation, said on reflection “Networking went so well for everyone…Everyone was so kind and welcoming to a new person like me, it was wonderful!” and that she “left the awards night feeling recharged creatively, and ready to work on her business, full of ideas and a confidence in her abilities…and looking forward to the next year!”

Kent Foundation News

Another successful A Blast! Business Networking event at Maidstone TV Studios

by digitalbeans

This year’s A Blast! business networking event boasted an incredible mix of exhibition space for Kent’s young business owners who showcased their businesses at Maidstone TV Studios. A buzz hit the studios as they networked with their peers and gave the opportunity for the business community of Kent to see and hear the stories behind their successful businesses supported by The Kent Foundation.

This year over 200 people attended for the event and nearly 40 businesses were on show with an eclectic mix of products and services ranging from cookies, kart racing, wedding dresses right through to gluten free chocolate.

Gemma Keith owner of Gemma Keith Designs had this to say about this year’s event:

Gemma Keith Designs“Wow! what an evening I had at the A Blast! event at Maidstone Studios. An inspiring space to hold all kinds of local talent, and business entrepreneurs. A huge thank you to The Kent Foundation for organising such a bubbly and exciting event where you are able to meet all kinds of people. I received so many helpful ideas and positive feedback from people who are whole-heartedly there to help you and want to see you and your business grow. I truly cannot wait until next year’s event to see how everyone has grown! Thank you.”

Our charity is recognised as the go-to place for Kent’s young people in business to receive support to grow their business. This is reliant on our volunteer business mentoring service where business people from across Kent volunteer their time to support Kent’s young business owners to achieve in business. Stuart Tanton, Director of Kent Foundation expands further on the event and business support services:

‘In my first year with the Kent Foundation as Director I am immensely proud of the success of A Blast! 2018. All of the exhibitors are inspirational young business people who are really showing that business is very much alive and well in Kent. Without exception, all of the stands looked amazing, and the professionalism we are seeing is really something we are genuinely excited about. The future of business in Kent looks good! This year’s event has been a real showcase for our charity and Kent’s young people in business. I’d like to extend a special mention to our volunteer business mentors that give up so much time in supporting them.’

The Kent Foundation has ambitious plans for the future in creating a vibrant business community led by young people. Over the last year we have seen an increase in new businesses taking up our offer of business support, and we need to keep this momentum going to reflect the excitement they have, energy they bring, and celebrating the achievements they make.

Check out the photos and videos from the event below:

Thank you to Rose Bainbridge Photography for the photos check her out at www.rosebainbridgephotography.com

Credit – Rose Bainbridge Photography – www.rosebainbridgephotography.comA Blast! 'Probably The Best Business…

Posted by The Kent Foundation on Thursday, 17 May 2018

Thank you to AM Marketing for this video showcase

Thanks to Corralex Media for the video below

Kent Foundation News

Leading Business Mentoring Charity in Kent Appoints Two Young Trustees

by digitalbeans

Leading Business Mentoring Charity in Kent Appoints Two Young Trustees

The Kent Foundation a leading business mentoring charity in Kent welcomes two young entrepreneurial Trustees to its board. As a charity that specialises in providing free business mentoring to ambitious young business owners aged 30 and under in Kent it is important that this is represented on the board.

The two newly appointed Trustees are Pip Lawrence, Co-Founder of DayOne Wellness, an outdoor personal training and wellbeing company who coach people into the best shape of their lives both mentally and physically. The other is Piperis Filippaios, Managing Director of DigitalBeans, a results driven digital marketing agency based in Canterbury delivering search and social marketing campaigns for clients internationally. He also runs two ecommerce companies sending out thousands of parcels every year internationally.

Julian Kirkness, Chairman of The Kent Foundation was delighted to welcome the two new Trustees.

“We are delighted to welcome Pip Lawrence and Piperis Filippaios to the board of Trustees. The Foundation’s main audience are the inspirational young business people of Kent – and although those of us who were once young have a lot to give in terms of time, knowledge and experience, it is very important that we also understand their needs and aspirations. Pip and Piperis will bring this perspective to the board, both being successful young business people in their own right, as well as former beneficiaries of our services. Their impact is already being felt following the first Trustees meeting of 2018.”

Pip Lawrence, Co-Founder of Day One Wellness speaks of her positive experience in business and as a user of the charitable services of the Foundation:

“I was delighted and honoured to be appointed as a young trustee of The Kent Foundation. From a personal point of view, I feel incredibly lucky to have discovered the Kent Foundation when I did. I can honestly say my company DayOne Wellness wouldn’t be anywhere near what it is today without their support. Due to this, I am fiercely passionate about ensuring other aspiring entrepreneurs and ‘young’ growth businesses have access to the support and mentorship that has the potential to dramatically grow Kent’s economy and facilitate positive sustainable change in the County and beyond.”

Piperis Filippaios gives us insight in to how he is looking forward to working with The Kent Foundation and being a part in developing its future.

“I feel honoured to have been appointed as a trustee of The Kent Foundation. I originally came across The Kent Foundation nearly 10 years ago and was surprised and delighted by the encouragement and support I received at the time. I strongly feel that young entrepreneurs should be able to keep benefiting from the support services offered by Kent Foundation for years to come. I hope that my skills and business experience to date will go some way towards ensuring that young entrepreneurs can keep receiving such services and experiencing ever improving levels of support to help grow their businesses.”

Wealden Business Group Launches The Business Edge Competition To Supercharge New Business Growth

by digitalbeans

Wealden Business Group, the successful professional networking organisation for small and medium sized companies, is launching The Business Edge, an initiative aimed at supercharging the growth of a new or recently-established business.

Says Martin Tickner, chairman of the Tenterden-based group: “As owner-managers of small and medium sized businesses, we know that money is tight in the early months after a business is launched, which is precisely the time that new business leads, advice and support are most valuable”.

The Business Edge is a competition offering a year’s free membership of Wealden Business Group, worth more than £500, plus free one-to-one mentoring and advice sessions with existing members, experienced specialists in marketing, PR, law, finance, IT and other vital business disciplines.The Business Edge Wealden Business Group

In addition, the winner of The Business Edge has the opportunity of pitching their business services to members – since April, the group has generated almost 200 referrals between its members – as well as attending free seminars on topics such as social media and cyber security.

The Business Edge is open to owner-managers of any business launched in the past three years. The entry process is simple – applicants should email  edge@wealdenbusinessgroup.co.uk explaining in no more than 100 words why their company deserves to win the prize.  Closing date for applications is Wednesday 28 February.

Three shortlisted candidates will be asked to come along to a meeting of the Wealden Business Group and present their case in a two-minute pitch.

To find out more about Wealden Business Group, visit their website at www.wealdenbusinessgroup.co.uk