Kent Foundation News

KEiBA 2015 – Young Entrepreneur of the Year

by digitalbeans
Kent Excellence in Business Awards

Click to see the 2015 winners!

 

 

The evening of the Kent Excellence in Business Awards is a date that has concreted itself in to the calendars of many Kent businesses – and who can blame them. It’s an occasion solely dedicated to them and celebrating their success in business.

We would like to congratulate all the businesses that received recognition through the awards this year both as Winners and Finalists.

KEiBA:Young Entrepreneur of the Year

WINNER:

Becky Campbell – Reflect Digital

Reflect Digital was established and setup to offer high-quality digital web solutions to companies across the UK. On offer is a complete mix of digital marketing services including SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing and print. They spread their passion for the power of the internet by speaking at relevant events to educate other businesses on the power of digital marketing. Visit the website…

Finalists

Ben Towers – Towers Design

Towers Design is a multi-award winning Kent based full serviced digital agency offering design, printing, website development and hosting services to clients based all around Kent and London. They work with a multitude of clients ranging from start-ups to SMEs who all share the same vision of succeeding online. Our mission is to provide an excellent service whilst maintaining an affordable prices. Visit the website…

Bal Sandher – Hectic Lifestyles

Hectic Lifestyles Ltd is a multi-channel, online health and supplement retailer and distributor. They sell over 120 different nutritional products to consumers in 150 countries. Their aim is to cater to the ever growing demand of customers who work long hours in their jobs and have very little time to go to the gym or exercise. The products are aimed to assist and maximise their efforts. Rather than selling the products of other companies, their products are exclusively produced and branded. This provides incredible flexibility with innovative formulas, as well as the ability to market the brand with complete control. Visit the website…

KEiBA 2015

 

Kent Foundation News

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

by digitalbeans

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

Star Business of the Month

Star Business of the Month – Podplus – June 2015

by digitalbeans

Podplus - Specialist sports footwear, clothing and injury clinic including podiatry, chiropody and physiotherapy.We caught up with Kate Austen joint owner of Podplus with her brother Tom to find out just why they started a business:

What is Podplus?

Podplus is a Sports Shop & Injury Clinic based in Ashford. The business offers a shoe fitting service to all customers so that they can get appropriate advice on what will suit their foot position & activity to prevent injury keeping you comfortable whilst being active.

The business also offers clinics via appointment for Podiatry (lower limb and foot problems), Physiotherapy and Deep Tissue Massage to treat any injuries, or provide maintenance for sports and non sports people of all ages.

Why did you take on the entrepreneurial challenge?

I was 22 when I started Podplus, I felt I had nothing to lose by giving entrepreneurship a go – I needed a job that I enjoyed and was able to create one with this opportunity.

The initial idea wasn’t mine, I took the challenge on which was suggested by my brother Tom. He was practising as a Podiatrist for the NHS and felt there was a lack of advice and products to help people manage very common foot and lower limb problems. He was right! Podplus now provides specialist products and services that were not previously available across Kent and East Sussex. Our customers happily travel to our base in Ashford from a wide reaching radius to take advantage of our services.

Podplus - Specialist sports footwear, clothing and injury clinic including podiatry, chiropody and physiotherapy.What makes you different?

The products we stock are designed for activity and not found on the high street – they are unique and of high quality to ensure they look good and feel great. One of our strongest aspects is the consistency in our customer service. Before selecting a product every member of our team provides advice and guidance to the customer by listening to them and taking their best interests to heart. This ensures the right product is selected to meet the needs of the customer. A couple of our top selling items are:

Brooks Adrenaline Walker – A discrete everyday walking shoe designed to support and cushion your body from the impact of walking.

Vasyli Supportive Insole – One of the best insoles and only sold via health professionals, they can support your feet to help treat common arch & heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

Happy 10th Birthday! What continues to drive you after 10 years?

Pod Plus 10th birthdayPodplus is now a team, as an owner of the business I have a duty to every member of my team to give my best. The business still fills a void in the market, every customer deserves the best service too! Everyone should have the opportunity to be active and comfortable, we aim to provide this every step of the way.

Thanks to all those who joined us in celebrating and have made the business what it is today – We clinked glasses of Chapel Down bubbles (courtesy of former Institute of Directors Chairman Frazer Thompson) with Ashford Mayor John Link, Peter Davidson former chair of Julie Rose Stadium Trust, Paul Barron from the Kent Foundation who support young business, Joyce & Don Rose plus plenty of staff & customers past present and future for a fun day of celebration. THANK YOU!

What is your top business tip?

“Only recently I added a permanent bookkeeper/finance member to our team – it really helped to focus the ‘business’ needs rather than continuing to keep afloat and being bogged down in the daily needs, decisions can be made with an overarching goal in mind.”

Get in Touch with Podplus:

Podplus Company Website

 

Podplus Shopping Website

 

Facebook 

Kent Foundation News

Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative has Launched

by digitalbeans
Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative Employment and Self Employment Training for Young People

Click Here for Training Dates

The Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative programme will provide you with enhanced skills, knowledge, confidence and self esteem in order to become gainfully employed or start your own business. The three week programme starting 30th April consists of interactive and practical workshops. We will equip you with practical skills to be used in finding employment or starting a business. If you want to attend any of the sessions get in touch by booking below. Just meet one of the criteria below to apply:

    • Aged 16-25
    • Not in employment
    • Not in training
    • Not In Education
    • Looking to build your career prospects
    • Looking to start a business

CLICK TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

Ongoing Support:

Target Your Potential is offering a superb chance to get ‘one of a kind’ work experience. Through the Edenbridge Enterprise Initiative they will connect you with a work experience opportunity at a local employer giving you the chance to put the skills you have learnt into practice. Fear not though you will not be alone, they will still be there to support you every step of the way, if you have a question…just ask! Once work experience is completed continued personal support will be offered to help you create bite-sized steps in achieving your career goals.

IMG_2539Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs is offering support to help you create your own employment and start a business. They will meet with you on a 1-2-1 basis to find out more about you, your business ideas and your vision for the future providing you with some all important information, advice and guidance. It doesn’t stop there…we have a strong network of trained Business Mentors with whom you can be matched with and meet once a month to help you keep on track of your business goals.

Venues:

House, The Eden Centre, Four Elms Way, Edenbridge, TN8 6BY

Business Innovation Zone, Unit One, Norton House, Fircroft Way, Edenbridge TN8 6EL

Big Lottery Fund Awards for AllTarget Your Potential - Youth Employment Services

Star Business of the Month

Onesie Warehouse- Star Business of the Month – May 2015

by digitalbeans

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:

Website          Facebook        Twitter

Kent Foundation News

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs a proud Finalist at Kent Charity Awards

by digitalbeans

Kent Charity Awards Finalist:

Community Charity of the Year Award

We are pleased to announce that we were crowned a Finalist in the first ever Kent Charity Awards. The awards received almost 160 entries, so we were mightily pleased to be one of the final three to be short-listed in the Community Category.

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs Finalist Kent Charity AwardsKent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs Finalist Kent Charity AwardsKCA14_15_FinalistKent Charity Awards

Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs Finalist Kent Charity Awards

About us and our work:

The Kent Foundation is a business support charity that is dedicated to promoting, encouraging and supporting business start-up and growth amongst Kent’s young people.  We actively engage with all your people who seek business support and specifically target young people in the area of Kent with the highest levels of youth unemployment.

All of our business support services are provided free of charge to Kent’s young people. We are privileged that the business community of Kent is so willing to invest their time in to the future development of Kent’s young business people through volunteering, networking and sponsoring. In the past 4 years we have gained the support of over 100 Volunteers who have completed our training to become Business Mentors.

Support us:

To donate, just click below, and don’t forget to include Gift-Aid, it gives us that little bit extra 😉
Donate Now Button

To sponsor us head over to our Contact Us page to send us a message

To become a Volunteer Business Mentor, check this out…