The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (STW) hosted its first-ever event for aspiring business owners at Friars Mill on Wednesday 31 October, forming part of the 2018 Leicester Business Festival.
‘Challenges and Triumphs of Business Start-Up’ allowed delegates to hear first-hand accounts of the journey experienced by two young business owners within Leicester, in addition to accessing insightful information regarding business planning, creating a financial forecast and the interest-free financial support available through The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity.
Speaking at the event were business loan borrowers and STW ambassadors, Hannah Myatt – owner of Skytribe Dance Studio, and Lee Tomes, who owns Orange Fox Productions.
Both speakers revealed their respective journey to self-employment, which saw Hannah move in a completely different career direction having trained as a mental health nurse, and Lee making an immediate jump from postgraduate education to becoming his own boss.
Revealing how The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free funding shaped their business in the present day, both Hannah and Lee revealed details of the difficulties they faced and overcame, before delivering key tips to any young entrepreneur looking to start out within the county.
Following a brief interval, delegates were then able to hear from STW Trustee and NBV Enterprise Solutions business adviser Gau Naik, who explained the difference between business planning and forming a business plan; providing details of the various elements required and the help available to any aspiring business.
With numbers providing a sticking point for many entrepreneurs taking their first steps in managing accounts, Bryan Freeman of The Rowleys Partnership Group took delegates through the financial information required, helping to explain the numbers required to accompany a successful business plan.
Finally, STW Chair David Howard revealed the background to The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity and gave those in attendance an idea of the businesses that have benefited from the interest-free loans available to people aged between 18-35 in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Providing a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs to network with fellow aspiring and established business owners, ‘Challenges and Triumphs of Business Start-Up’ provided the first of many intended events to connect current and prospective business owners from across the county.
David Howard, Chair of Trustees at The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, said: “It was wonderful to be able to meet with people passionate about the idea of becoming their own boss and setting up a business within the county – and I hope that we as a charity will be able to help them down the line.
“It became clear that there are very few places better placed to enable a young person to start a business than Leicester, with our interest-free loans just one element of brilliant support available.
“Hopefully, the Charity can become part of many business networking events moving forward to allow us to help more and more people.”
Lee Tomes, Sir Thomas White Loan Charity Ambassador, owner of Orange Fox Productions and event speaker, added: “I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my business story. The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is an invaluable resource in helping aspiring entrepreneurs in the county of Leicestershire develop and grow their business ideas.
“I was delighted to be able to promote the Charity during the event and give some insight on how they have helped shape my own future through both an education and business loan. The audience were receptive to my presentation and I really enjoyed engaging and interacting with the young entrepreneurs during the Q&A and breakout sessions.
“Hopefully my story can serve as inspiration for anyone considering the next step and considering applying for a business loan to help them start or develop their business.”
For more information on The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s business loans, please click here