Aged 18-30 with a creative business idea? Good Story can help
in News
On Saturday 26th April our MD Suzy Pettican has been invited to speak to a group of aspiring young entrepreneurs to help them turn their creativity into a business.
The day has been organised by Suffolk based charity Good Story, offering passionate people aged 18 to 30 business mentoring and funding.
Since it launched in 2013, Good Story has raised £50,000 and helped more than 20 young people. This April, the charity will host its first ever Festival of Creativity, which aims to inspire others to take their creative passion and turn it into a business. On Saturday 26th April, a packed day of seminars and one-to-one networking has been arranged at The Highwaymans Gallery, Risby, to help aspiring young entrepreneurs get their business idea off the ground. And Suzy will be sharing her words of advice with the young audience.
Covering topics from how to get noticed through social media, the essentials of starting up in business and how to get your finances in order, all talks will be delivered from professionals who have been there and done it. The day will finish with food, drink and live music with sets from funked up rock and roll band Juke & the All-Drunk Orchestra plus hip hop artist Rex Domino. Good Story was set up in early 2013 by Malcolm and Nicky McAllister from Lavenham in loving memory of Nicky’s daughter, Mimi Watts. A talented clothing designer, Mimi sadly died in a snowboarding accident in Chamonix in December 2012. At just 26, she was in the midst of launching her own business. Sitting at her hospital bedside, Mimi’s brother Rory Watts first had the idea for the charity, determined to see her dreams live on. The charity now supports other likeminded young people. And we’re delighted to be backing this fantastic charity. Rory Watts, founder and trustee says: “We want to give others the opportunities that Mimi didn’t have, guiding them through their first steps of running a business and helping them with their applications for funding, inspiring and supporting young people to succeed. And Saturday’s sessions will give creative young people lots of practical ideas, advice and inspiration from business leaders who have been there and done it.”
Suzy adds: “As someone who started a business under the age of 30, I can relate to the challenges the Good Story applicants are facing. Stepping out on your own is exciting but daunting, and for long-term success you need the right advice and support around you.
“It’s thought the creative sector is worth an estimated £71.4 billion to the UK economy. That’s a staggering £8 million pounds per hour while providing employment for 1.68 million people. Good Story is getting behind our country’s future creative talent.” The panel of high-profile business owners also includes:
- Ted Ridgway-Watt – Digital expert and ex-head of Digital Jersey
- Alastair Whatley – Theatre producer and founder of The Original Theatre Company
- James Baker – Founder of Waterless Media
- Richard Tribe – MD and founder of events company, Revolution Events
- Claire Johnsen – Business advisor and trainer from NWES
- Kathryn Fletcher – Owner of Fletcher Thompson Chartered Accountants
- Jill McCulloch – Personal and business coach
Aged 18-30 and interested in attending? Or know someone who is?Tickets: £15pp and limited to 50 spacesVenue: The Highwaymans Gallery, Risby, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6QPTime: 10am – 5pm with live music into the eveningTo book: Email festival@goodstory.org.uk or call 01787 247265. Visit the Good Story website, Facebook page, LinkedIn or Twitter #GoodStoryFest for more details.
