Impact Award Presented to Business Support Volunteer

A business support volunteer was presented  an Impact Award  at a volunteers reception hosted by The Chairman of Kent County Council in support of Kent’s largest business support charity The Kent Foundation. Over 50 guests attended the evening at which four young entrepreneurs spoke about their businesses and their gratitude to the Kent Foundation Volunteer Business Mentors.

A special Impact Award was presented to business support volunteer Michaela Partridge who, since becoming a Mentor in 2013, has made a huge difference in the business lives of many of Kent’s young entrepreneurs. Michaela has become a ‘front line’ ambassador for The Foundation – meeting and introducing many young people to The Foundation, she became a Trustee in 2014 and has helped create a marketing strategy to reach more young business people.Business Support Volunteer in Kent presented with Impact Award

Michaela from West Malling, established her career in Human Resources and developed into Training and Business Coaching in Spain and the UK.

The Director of The Kent Foundation, Paul Barron described Michaela as:

“An extremely willing and industrious volunteer, always going the extra yard to help young people with their own aspiration”.

The Chairman of KCC, Tom gates presented Michaela with her Impact Award. Paying tribute to the small army of volunteers Tom said:

“It is a privilege to meet the volunteer mentors who work with Kent Foundation and offer their time and expertise so willingly to guide young entrepreneurs across the county.”

Become a Volunteer Business Mentor

Accounting Workshop Trekking 50km to support Kent’s young people

Accounting Workshop based in Ashford to complete 50km trek across the Peak District to raise money for The Kent Foundation, a charity providing free business support for young people in Kent.

The accounting firm have chosen The Kent Foundation as their charity of the year after hearing charity Director, Paul Barron speak at a seminar. He described the importance of investing in future business leaders and the direct impact this has upon the growth of Kent’s economy.

Lisa Brown, Senior Partner of Accounting Workshop said:

“At Accounting Workshop we like to support a specific charity each year. This year we had decided on the event to challenge us but not the charity we would like to support. When my colleague Georgie and I attended a networking event at which Paul from The Kent Foundation was speaking, we immediately looked at each other and realised we had found the perfect charity for us. We like to support new businesses as much as we can and this charity helps young entrepreneurs to achieve their ambitions with mentoring and practical advice.”

Accounting Workshop Ashford
The Accounting Angels Left to Right: Lisa Brown – Senior Partner, Louwrens Vorster – Accounting Assistant and Georgina King – Accounting Assistant

Intrigued by the charity’s free business support on offer to Kent’s young people and being in business themselves meant that they could really relate and see the benefits the charity provides to a young person.

Paul Barron, Director of The Kent Foundation said:

“We are extremely fortunate to be supported by Accounting Workshop who provide accounting solutions for entrepreneurs. I met their Senior Partner, Lisa, at a business event in the spring and there was immediate recognition of the synergy between our two organisations. I’ve been to their offices in Ashford and there is a fabulous buzz. They are a vibrant and determined group of people to work with. I’d like to thank them for their support”

Accounting Workshop aim to raise £1,500 in support of The Kent Foundation. If you would like to donate please use the link below: www.charitychoice.co.uk/fundraiser/accountingangels/my-events

The Kent Foundation appoints New Chairman

New Chairman for Kent’s Leading Business Charity

The Kent Foundation, a Kent business support charity that helps young people starting out in business has a new Chairman. Elected at the Kent Foundation Board Meeting in January 2016, Julian Kirkness from Canterbury was delighted with his new role:

“Since discovering the Foundation in 2013 I have been keen to help drive it forwards in any way I can. I am honoured to become Chairman! AlthoughKent Business Support Charity Appoints Julian Kirkness as New Chairman Allan’s Chairmanship will be a very tough act to follow, I am confident that together with the team we have in place – both Trustees and Full Time Staff – we are in great shape to improve our service and continue to support and encourage young Kentish entrepreneurs. ”

Julian Kirkness is a successful businessman in the Digital Sector, specialising in software development. He has been a supporter of the Foundation since 2013 when he voluntarily attended an induction course to become a volunteer business mentor, he became Vice Chairman in 2015 and now actively mentors two Kent businesses.

The Kent Foundation recently celebrated 30 years of success in supporting young business people. With a flag-ship service that includes over 100 trained Volunteer Business Mentors it’s clear that the Foundation is an established and essential component for Kent’s Businesses. Equally, it is always looking to be relevant and contemporary, recently launching its own Kent Foundation Business Award as an accolade to successful young entrepreneurs of the County.

Retiring Chairman of 20 years, Allan Mowatt has left the Charity in good hand, in his final remarks Allan stated:
“I am convinced that we have a Board of all the necessary background and talents to carry on and develop further our work. I am also convinced that we have a Chairman in Julian who can lead that work forward.”

Free Business advice and support for Kent's young people

Woodfall Wealth Consultancy donates to support Kent’s young startups

Woodfall Wealth ConsultancyJames Woodfall, the owner of Woodfall Wealth Consultancy which is a Partner Practice of St James’s Place, has donated £1000 through the St James’s Place Foundation to Kent based charity The Kent Foundation.

St James's Place Wealth ManagementOn the 16th July James presented the cheque to Paul Barron and Liam Behn from The Kent Foundation, which provides free business support to Kent’s young people looking to start or grow their business.

James first found out about the charitable work of The Kent Foundation at an Institute of Directors event back in September 2014. Since then he has been a proactive supporter of the Foundation, including sponsoring a Golf Day in June 2015. He is also a sponsor for the upcoming Kent Foundation 30th Celebration in October and shares his business contacts to improve the charity’s profile.

Kent Foundation with Woodfall Wealth ConsultancyIn response to his donation, James owner of Woodfall Wealth Consultancy states:

‘Being a business owner myself, I recognise the importance of advice and mentoring in situations of troubles and isolation.  The Kent Foundation provides an invaluable support network to young people who are starting their own business.’

Paul Barron, Director of Kent Foundation shared his gratitude for the donation:Woodfall Wealth Consultancy with Kent Foundation

‘With such a generous donation from James we can continue to provide innovative Mentoring to the young entrepreneurs of Kent. The money will be used to train Volunteer Business Mentors who will offer 1-2-1 advice and guidance. Thanks to James our next induction training is scheduled for Autumn 2015.’

Charity Golf Day Boosts the future of Kent’s young people

Golf DayA charity golf day sponsored and hosted by by SLA Partnership and Woodfall Wealth Consultancy raised vital funds to boost the future career prospects of Kent’s young people. The event held on 2nd June to raise funds and awareness for Kent Foundation and Medway Youth Trust saw a mass of positive golfers and fundraisers brave the wet and windy weather at the prestigious London Golf Club.

Why young people?

Sarah Landry, Managing Director of SLA Partnership, Trustee Director at Medway Youth Trust and Volunteer Business Mentor for Kent Foundation enthusiastically addressed the audience about her involvement with both charities:

Kent Charity Golf Day 3“Charity pays a large part in my life, I understand how difficult forming a career or building a business can be and I genuinely believe that all young people should be given a helping hand to reach their full potential. Today has not just been about golf, but about your generosity and engagement with the aims of these two charities who deliver indispensable support services to young people to give them the support, belief and encouragement to succeed.”

James Woodfall, Managing Director of Woodfall Wealth Consultancy and headline sponsor was quoted:

“Kent’s young business owners play a huge part in the development of the future economy of the County. They are the business leaders of the future who will create future employment and business opportunities. Business success comes when we provide the correct support to help those young businesses to realise their potential. ”

A chat with the charities…

Two prominent Kent youth charities Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs and Medway Youth Trust were the beneficiaries of the awareness and fundraising event. Here’s what they had to say about the importance of their work.

Paul Barron, Director of Kent Foundation a business support charity whose flagship service is Business Mentoring said:

Kent Charity Golf Day 2“We meet with a wide range of young people, all with one thing in common – they want to start a business. They come to us with their enthusiasm to bring those ideas to life. One way in which we do this is through our flagship Business Mentoring Service. Our network of trained Volunteer Business Mentors support young business owners by creating a platform for them to make informed decisions about the future of their business. Having someone to listen, respond and engage to their ideas on a regular basis has been proven to increase the chances of business success.”

Graham Clewes CEO of Medway Youth Trust which delivers specialist employment, young carer and parent support:

“Picture in your minds a cliff much as we have along the Kent coast. Now imagine young people falling over the edge. Too many children and young people are making this fall in their lives and in the UK we tend seem to prefer to build services and institutions – for example prisons and hospitals – to treat them when they land at the bottom. But what we need are more fences at the top to prevent them from falling in the first place; they are cheaper and prevent long term difficulties. Our work at Medway Youth Trust is designed to build those metaphorical fences through early intervention, support, information and guidance, study programmes and encouraging young people to undertake social action. Today, as participants in our golf event, you have helped us to build more of these necessary fences for young people”

The day was polished off with a 3 course meal, a charity auction to win some incredible prizes and an inspiring yet humorous Q&A session in to the world of Rugby with ex Welsh Rugby legend Steve Moore.

The weather may not have been quite up to scratch however this did not deter from the positivity of the day with many asking us how they can book their place for next year. It couldn’t be easier, just press below…

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Print SLA Partnership

Onesie Warehouse- Star Business of the Month – May 2015

The Story

Onesie WarehouseHi 🙂 I’m Georgina and Onesie Warehouse started after selling hundreds of the all in one piece suits from my dining room table via Facebay (Groups on facebook selling locally to one another). Whilst this was happening my Sister, Lucy Hall who runs Kent Social Media was building the Onesie Warehouse website. This was all happening when onesies just emerged as a super comfy fashion item worn by many celebrities including One Direction and Brad Pitt. Once the website was launched and passed on to me the competition was rife – however sales were still pouring in. Therefore I made the decision to transform my garage into a Warehouse and continue to increase stock levels in order to market a wider range of designs and styles.

I knew for the business to keep going amongst big competitors such as New Look, boohoo.com, Marks & Spencers, Next and many more I needed to create partnerships. I have always liked the idea of doing business and giving back. I read Richard Branson’s ‘Screw Business as Usual’ and this inspired me to start partnering with charities.

Onesie WarehouseMy first charity partnership was JDRF a large Type 1 Diabetes Charity which offers support and research to cure those diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I provided their official Onesie and gave £5 from each sale to the charity as well as going the extra mile to improve awareness of the charity. I helped with their competitions providing a onesie as a prize and held a large campaign around World Diabetes day when JDRF put on a huge walk which they do every year. I also gained my first celebrity endorser, Simon King of The Hairy Bikers. Over 150 sales of the onesie came just from the charity and raised over £750 in a few months.

I am now partnered with Anthony Nolan, the blood cancer charity, The Children’s Air Ambulance and will soon be partnering with a cause for animals, to utilise this we will make use of our fleece animal onesies. I believe Onesie Warehouse growth will be centred around developing strong partnerships and giving back to great charities.

Why start a business?

I have always wanted to run my own successful business; after university studying Media, Communication and Cultural studies I travelled to South America and returned becoming part owner of a woman’s clothing boutique. It was great fun and such a learning curve but I wanted something more and went on to travel again for a year to Asia and Australasia.

Team OnesieOn return I started managing music artists. This combined my two passions, the first being music and the second, selling, which was brought on by years as a market trader for my family’s business. I became part of a new digital music start up company which allowed me to be involved in music projects and come up with creative ideas on a daily basis. Two years on and I am now COO for the company and have since started a new music business alongside this with a great passionate team.

Onesie Warehouse and the music management both came to fruition at the same time. I really do consider myself lucky that I have a business with low costs that is growing and at the same time building a successful career in the music industry – two completely different businesses that provides an equal amount of passion. I will continue to grow Onesie Warehouse and hopefully pass the business to either family or other passionate people who believe in the brand and its partnerships. I would love to continue to run both businesses, however managing my time between the two can prove difficult at times.

Finally, I feel I must use my selling skills to plug the Business Mentoring on offer from Kent Foundation. My Mentor Jo, has not only been a great guide but she has offered fantastic support, which when times have got stressful has made me feel at ease to create strategies and take a new approach to combating problems that have arisen in the business.

Business Tip:

Its hard for me to give just one business tip so here is a few for those early on in their business.

“Keep moving forward, think of new ways to grow everyday and start that plan as soon as possible. Don’t sit on things or procrastinate.”

“Partnering with those more experienced or those that can help you grow is important.”

“Finally give back where you can because you can.”

Get In Touch with Onesie Warehouse:

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