Local Heroes

In 1996, following a conversation with Brazilian footballer Juninho, Simon Clifford brought futebol de Salao to the UK. The game uses a smaller and heavier ball which crucially puts more emphasis on ball control, forcing players to be more skilful than in traditional games.

The first Brazilian Soccer School in the UK was set-up in Leeds and the game is now being spread globally through The International Confederation of Futebol de Salão. Players who’ve gone through the Schools are now starting to come through the youth ranks of professional clubs. Most famous of which is Micah Richards, who plays regularly in the Premiership for Manchester City and recently starred for England Under-21s at the age of only 18.

Simon meanwhile has continued to seek fresh challenges, setting-up Socatots (a physical play programme for under-5s) and managing amateur side Garforth Town. Not content with his current success Simon has also set a range of ambitious targets. He wants his coaching programmes to create the best players in the world and for Garforth Town to grace the Premier league. Watch this space!

Based in Sheffield, my business is called Delicious Alchemy Ltd and I make food for people on restricted diets. I cannot eat wheat and it’s very hard to find wheat free food when you are traveling so I decided to set up a business to make it available in hotels and restaurants. Last year I entered the Sheffield Hallam Enterprise Challenge and wrote a business plan. The judges liked the idea so much I won first prize. This was £5000 cash plus legal advice and a full e-commerce website. Next the idea won the regional competition between all of the universities in Yorkshire and Humberside. This prize was also £5000 cash plus some PR. This money and added extras was enough to get my business up and running.

The biggest challenge is having the self confidence to do it and keeping that confidence when difficult situations arise. I have researched my product very well and this has convinced me that it is good, which makes me confident. I overcome major obstacles by taking time to think about the problem, researching it properly, breaking each obstacle down into small tasks and working through them day by day. Nothing is so big it cannot be overcome in this way. My greatest achievements to date have been making great products and winning business competitions.

For anyone out there looking to start-up, my advice would be to research your business idea as completely as you can. Analyse the competition’s products to find out why they are popular and what they could do better. Keep researching the business when you are up and running because meeting customer needs and being one step in front of the competition is the key to success.

James grew up with a fascination for all things mechanical. At just 12 years of age he had a City and Guilds qualification and when he was just 13 years he was operating his own business. When he wasn’t studying James would be fixing electrical equipment sent to him by local colleges that didn’t have the capacity or the resources to fix it!

Before his 21st birthday James went to work for a bio-technical company in Cambridge where he established a research and development department. In 2004 he and his business partner took the decision to set up on their own and formed IT-IS International Ltd, which develops engineering and software products for the bio-tech industry and employs a team of eight.

It is an exciting time for James’s company, who are currently developing instruments to test DNA, for example to establish whether a bird has the H5N1 strain of bird flu or whether a person has a gene present that makes them susceptible to a particular disease. The business is going from strength to strength, with their client base constantly expanding.

James said: “Starting your own business is a daunting prospect, but sometimes you just have to make that leap of faith. You can reduce the perceived risks and make life easier for yourself by taking as much advice as possible from business experts and drawing on the experience of those who’ve already gone through the process of starting up a business.”

Myfotowall is a small team of enthusiastic people. We have developed a revolutionary online design process, which vastly simplifies the process of taking a digital photograph and enlarging it to create a high quality wallpaper that full fits to the required wall space area, without distortion or discernable loss of printable quality. The business was started as we believed there to be an opportunity in the market for a new product that capitalised on both the digital photography revolution and the ever increasing visual awareness and expectation that we all have as consumers. We are based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, however being an Internet based solution we have the potential to be a worldwide brand and to continue our growth through strategic partnerships and resellers.

Myfotowall is still a startup and achievements to date are limited. A few on the way are, securing £125, 000 business development loan, taking our first international order, securing a UK Patent on the process and forming strategic relationships with Getty Images Gallery, Bentley Motor Cars, IKEA. Also winning the business plan competition at VentureFest 2006, winning Innovation of the Year 2006, winning a Design and Decoration Award in 2005 and being a finalist in the 2006 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (+ a few others)!

With any new start-up, you eventually come down to money and how to finance the business, this can be the hardest part of any start-up. Planning is the key to overcoming this situation, as planning will show how much money is likely to be needed. This does not necessarily solve the problem, but, if you know what you need and why you need it, it IS easier to get it.

Your first challenge is to ensure that you are completely convinced by the product/service you wish to promote/sell or develop. If you are NOT they you will have little chance in convincing others. If you have a good idea, are passionate about its potential, have a good team of people around you and want to make it work, do it! I have met so many ordinary people that have had a great idea and never done anything about it and they are still ordinary people!

PS: If any of you budding entrepreneurs want to make a great feature wall of a product or service within your working environment, just go to: http://www.myfotowall.com and place your order! (Good luck with your business)

Rebecca Jordan and Kirsty Weir are multi-award winning entrepreneurs, based in Leeds, who shot to prominence in 2000 with the development of Gapwork.com. They created Gapwork after identifying the lack of information available for young people interested in doing a gap year. The site gives users help in planning their gap year, the most up-to-date information on gap year options, destinations and activities, working holidays and help and advice from the experts. What was initially an idea for a website five years ago has now grown into an educational publishing company with over a million pound turnover. Their latest project is PDC Education, a national resource for schools in the areas of careers, enterprise and citizenship.

Don’t Weed it Gel it Ltd. design and develop new products for horticulture including a non-toxic, weed suppressant for commercial/home use; a cut flower support gel, enhancing longevity, fragrance and appearance and plantlet culture technology that allows you to grow rare & unusual plants in test tubes.

I studied at Askham Bryan College completing a number of horticultural courses over a six-year period. While at college I specialized in Micropropagation which gave me the skills to set-up labs for individuals who have rare and unusual plants. After college I worked on a commercial plant nursery for two years plus set up a Micropropagation lab of my own. While performing this work I noticed the discarded microprop gel left on borders to decompose had some good weed suppressant qualities. However it was very unstable and was durable for approx. 7-10 days. Therefore this idea had potential but required some Research and Development. During a 3-6 month experimental time the gel was found to have other unique qualities. This meant it could be used in many different applications.

Since the start of 2005 we have supplied both the trade and general public with cut flower gel from our Internet site. Our future plans are to scale up our manufacturing, open a new site in Scarborough, continue building the cut flower gel business within the UK and to grant licenses for the cut flower gel in European markets in 2007. We will also be launching new products and supplying Schools, Colleges & Universities with the test tube kits.

Looking back over the years I can not pinpoint a mistake which I could say was my biggest however I did make lots of slip ups especially in my first year. It is important to see these mistakes not as disasters, but as learning opportunities. Everyone make mistakes but if you plan ahead, take advice from friends, family and advisors you will reduce the mistakes thus reducing the impact on the business.

The greatest moment was holding the cheque from my first sale plus knowing that my customers are benefiting from Eco friendly products, which I have developed.

Tidy Products is a Leeds based business that is developing a completely new and innovative concept in advertising, specifically in the ambient media sector. “Ambient Media?” I hear you ask, 10 months ago I had never heard of it either. Ambient Media, to quote the professionals, is a term used for all advertising opportunities that are designed to reach specific and sizeable target audience groups, through unusual and unexpected activities – what a mouthful. Simply put some existing examples of this are petrol pump advertising, washroom posters, sandwich bag advertising etc. We are forging an entirely new channel in the ambient media sector, in-car visual media. Once established I believe we can challenge the big outdoor advertising agencies for a share of the media spend they enjoy, currently over £900 million per year.

I have always had an appetite for business, my first of which was at age 5 when I used to sell woodlice from my bedside cabinet to my parent’s friends, much to their dismay – 5p for a dead one, 10p for a living one. Sadly the insect business didn’t take off and after University I started work in property. After 8 years in the corporate world I felt I was mature enough in mind and business acumen to set up on my own.

Research, research, research – this was all that I did before leaving my previous employment, I even employed a friend who had just returned from traveling to do 3 months research for me. He lived rent free in my spare room as I couldn’t afford to pay him!

As a relatively new business I really think that our greatest achievements are still ahead of us. We have a really exciting concept and a huge potential market; we are in talks with some international and national brands who we expect to be working with very shortly and our manufacturers in China are ready and waiting for the big orders.

Nearly everyday has brought a new, different and often very daunting challenge to the business. I think that what a lot of people wrongly assume is that just because they are good at a particular profession they will naturally be able to run their own business in that profession. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be that you should not only know your market but you should also know yourself. What I mean by this is that when you are looking at starting a business you should also look at the gaps in yourself, your knowledge gaps and look to fill those. If you are not good with numbers find a proficient accountant, if you are not good with admin, use an administrator.

Finally, read every business book you can get your hands on, starting with Michael Gerber’s – The E Myth.

I have always wanted to run my own business. When I had the idea for an innovative Christmas card display product, I could see that if it was turned into a product and taken to market, there would be the makings of a significant business – 1.6 billion Christmas cards are received every year in the UK alone. So I set the company up, starting developing the product. 18 months on, I have got a range of products that are being supplied to some of the most trusted names in British retailing, employ 3 people in the UK, have launched in the US and have 2 employees there and have turned over £150,000.

I initially set the company up in May 2004, working from the attic of my parents house. I did not start trading until July 2005, when I exhibited at a UK trade show. It was shortly after that my first big deals started coming through. The company now works out of an office in a vibrant business park. The biggest challenge has been dealing with the national retailers. The buyers are tough and very hard to get hold of. But once you get through the door and satisfy all their needs (there are a lot), it can provide significant business for the company.

Although the business is still young we have had some significant achievements: Securing deals with some of the largest national retailers in the UK. Launching in the US. Winning the 2006 Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Yorkshire and Humberside. Remember even the experts can be wrong!

UrbanBiz, a social enterprise set up in Bradford to secure better job opportunities for those from ethnic and minority backgrounds, is celebrating a 70% placement success rate and expanding into bigger city centre premises, after less than a year of operation.

UrbanBiz, a non-profit orientated business with a social objective, was established in June 2005. Clinton Griffiths, Charles Simpasa and Mcmillan Serrant – the joint inspiration behind UrbanBiz – initially secured the backing of a Yorkshire Forward-funded Social Enterprise adviser to obtain a vital Learning Grant to conduct a feasibility study into the viability of their idea, and develop a business plan.

A further Business Development Grant of £18,000, enabled UrbanBiz to take on staff and find premises in Bradford. The company now employs three people full-time, and has recently taken on a part-time administrative worker.

In its first year, UrbanBiz has seen more than 170 people looking to find their way in the local jobs market, and has gone on to successfully help more than 120 of them secure full-time employment.

“The kind of people we work with are off the normal radar when they are referred to us; typically, they do not claim benefits of any form,” said Clinton Griffiths. “They may be refugees from places where the system has failed them, often troubled areas such as Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Liberia or Malawi. They often have a strong anti-system feeling, but they are also people who have a huge amount to offer and who want to work – whether they are professionals, such as doctors, nurses or engineers, or manual workers.

“By challenging prospective employers’ perceptions we can also help to break down some of the stereotypes that can make it difficult for people from an African and African Caribbean or other ethnic background to access the labour market.”

UrbanBiz was identified as the most successful provider in the UK under a pilot for ‘Fair Cities’ run across several UK locations.

An enterprising youth group near Thorne has won an order to produce 2,000 handmade Christmas cards.

Youth Creations has been set up as a business by a team of eight to 18 year olds to make and sell greetings cards, with support from Yorkshire Forward.

Youth Creations’ card designs have proved so successful that they landed this latest card order from Denaby Main Forum community partnership.

The cards have been designed using images including Conisbrough Castle and St Alban’s Catholic Church and will be distributed in schools and local groups around Denaby.

Youth Creations has been set up by school children aged between eight to 18 years old who gather at Moorends Miners Welfare and Community Development Centre after school and on Saturdays to make the cards.

Youth Creations is in the process of being set up as a social enterprise with the aim of ploughing profit back into the youth group and eventually become self-sustaining.

The group has also received an order from a member of the local community for another 50 cards, as well as enquiries to produce business cards.

The Thorne and Moorends youth group has been running since November 2004 and is based at the Moorends Miners Welfare and Community Development Centre. Youth Creations has received support and advice from Doncaster CVS which is supported by Yorkshire Forward and Business Link South Yorkshire.

Doncaster CVS helps social enterprises get started and stay on a sound financial footing. The organisation provides a comprehensive range of business support services including expert help and advice on legal issues, learning and skills, and marketing.

Annie Farrand, of Thorne and Moorends youth group, said: “This order is just the start of things to come and is the way forward to take the youth group away from grant dependency and to secure its future. The success of Youth Creations will mean that we can continue to run activities and projects for young people in and contribute to community cohesion and social inclusion.”

Alex McWhirter, head of enterprise at Yorkshire Forward, said: “Youth Creations is developing the creativity and enthusiasm of young people who in turn get the chance to learn valuable business skills. I’m delighted that all their hard work is paying off and I’m sure the group will secure many more card orders in the future.”

I invented the Orikaso Range of fold flat tableware (cups, bowls and plates that fold from a flat sheet of plastic using origami like principles). Then took the idea to market in over 30 countries worldwide. We are based by the canal in Sheffield.

I started up because nobody else was going to take my idea to market for me, plus with naivety – I thought it’d be easy.

May 2003 I set up Flatworld, I wouldn’t define it as a business looking at it now, more a boy playing business in his bedroom. I started with nothing, just a £5000 overdraft facility from the bank and a lot of goodwill – it’s amazing how much you can get done with a good idea, passion and a smile. The business for me really started when I was a victim of fraud, I had negotiated a hefty credit rating to produce products for orders that didn’t exist. Nothing motivates like potential bankruptcy, although it’s not a course of action I’d recommend for everybody!

This focused the mind somewhat and every “challenge” after that seemed like mere table scraps. I rose to the challenge by turning to my network, and found that in trusting people I hardly knew I rekindled my faith in man, and sold enough products to appease my manufacturers.

The biggest challenge since then was letting go of “total control”, you can’t do everything. Luckily I have a team I can trust, which made the task that much easier.

My greatest achievement has been creating a vehicle for myself in which I can be unashamedly creative, I have created my dream job, in my dream company, with a great team. Yes we’ve made money, and will make more, but above all – we have a great time.

Jay’s tips for would-be entrepreneurs

1. Network like crazy and never be afraid to ask for help, people will surprise you.

2. Aim big, the UK is a small place, realise that you’re on a global platform.

3. Decide why you’re doing it, there are easy ways to make money, visualize your perfect life.

‘Tellatale’ is a young and extremely ambitious company consisting of six A-level students, we have recently moved onto higher education at ‘Pontefract NEW College.’ We have created our own educational book, aimed at children between the ages of 5 – 7 years old, irrespective of their academic background or ability. The book has been approved by several well respected children’s educational publishers, whilst working closely with ‘Literacypal’ throughout the project. It is an essential tool for developing children’s literacy and numeracy skills at school or at home, present in group activities or individual sessions.

The book, “Olly and Molly Discover London,” contains several quiz pages, testing literacy skills, numeracy skills, and also time activities, these bright and colourful quizzes are integrated within the story of a brother and sister, Molly and Olly, who are magically transported to the capital city of London by a monkey, named Bozo.

We started as a Young Enterprise company and at the end of the project, instead of conceding defeat and leaving the idea behind, 6 partners decided to ‘buy out’ the old company, to form a new organisation, under the same name but as a private business. This involved purchasing merchandise, the idea of the book and other assets.

‘Tellatale’ also won the shield for ‘outstanding endeavour’ at the regional ‘Young enterprise’ awards, where the panel was very interested in the concept. We are so eager and committed to ensuring this project makes a huge impact on the children’s educational market.

I always enjoyed creative subjects at school and decided to study a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design at RCAT after leaving. I went on to gain a degree qualification and got my first ‘real job’ as a junior designer at a Sheffield based advertising agency.

After 3 years and a lot of planning I set up my business in 2003. I wanted more freedom and control over the type of design work I was doing and to make my own decisions. The work I do now varies widely, from producing new logos and brochures for companies, to designing graphics to go on signage and exhibition displays. You can see some of our work at www.mintideas.co.uk.

As well as being creative, I need to be organised, vigilant and patient. Having a positive attitude and sense of humour is also a must.

In the early planning stages I contacted Business Link and Rotherham Youth Enterprise, where the business advisors gave us some great advice. We rented a studio at Century Business Centre at Manvers, and gained some assistance from RYE towards this. We approached the bank for a small business loan and saved money to invest in the IT equipment, furniture and insurance we needed to start up.

Our greatest achievement was winning two prestigious awards in our first year of trading, but I feel really proud every time someone recommends our services or says to me ‘you did a great job’.

The biggest challenge has been generating sales without any prior sales experience, developing the confidence to go out and tell people what we can offer and why we are different. We have gradually overcome this barrier naturally by experience, by recognizing and extending our capabilities and building a strong portfolio of examples of our work.

We hope to grow the business building to a small but strong team of skilled professionals enabling us to widen the range of services we can already offer.

My advice to anyone considering self employment would be, prepare yourself for some hard work and to reap the rewards from it! Make sure you enjoy the challenge and laugh a lot on the way. You can do it!

I am a Kiln Glass Artist and I started up my business ‘Rachel Gretton Glass’, as I wanted to make a living producing my own art work. I produce sculptural work for both private and corporate commissions from my studio/gallery in the heart of Dalby Forest in Pickering.

I officially started up the business in 2004 with help from the Prince’s Trust. Soon after starting up I returned to full time education to complete an MA in Glass. I relocated to North Yorkshire in July 2005, and then went on to re-launch my business and open my studio in April 2006. I have received help from numerous organisations such as Business Link, the Arts Council and Creative York.

The biggest challenge in running my own business is being a sole trader and having to do everything from marketing, networking and accounting, when all I really want to do is make my work. It’s hard and time consuming but worth it. However, this can be overcome through time management, and keeping some time aside just to be inspired!

My greatest achievements in starting my own business have been exhibiting alongside artists I respect and admire, and getting great feedback from clients.

My advice to any young aspiring entrepreneurs would be to get involved with everything and anything because it’s the people who spread the word – Network!

Always say “yes” and worry about “how” to do it later. There is always a way!