Self Employment and Enterprise

Do You Need a Big Boost?

Are you 11 to 25? Do you have an idea that will benefit your community? If so, The Big Boost wants to help you! The Big Boost gives awards of between £250 and £5,000 to young people, to help them get their ideas off the ground. Want to find out more? Visit The Big Boost web site.

Creative dreams but no one to back you?

If you are between 18 and 30, unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week, The Prince's Trust can help. Through their Creative Industries Initiative, you can get start-up support if you live in the East Midlands. You could get a low-interest loan, ongoing and specialist advice, networking opportunities and more. They will support young people with ideas in:

Advertising, television and radio, architecture, music, arts, software, craft, theatre and dance, design, film, video and photography, fashion and publishing.

Do you want to make a difference in your community?

If you've got an idea for a project that could benefit your community then UnLtd wants to help you. UnLtd is a charity which supports social entrepreneurs by providing a complete package of funding and support.

Want to find out more? Visit The UnLtd website

The Ups and Downs of Self Employment

Ups

• You can get great satisfaction from succeeding with your business ideas.
• You have the independence of being your own boss
• You could make a lot of money
• There is advice and funding available to help you with your ideas

Downs

• To be successful you may have to work very long hours
• Stress levels can be high
• You risk losing everything if the business fails
• There is a lot of paperwork to do - e.g. tax returns - whatever the business

Sir Digby Jones podcast

Click here to watch Sir Digby Jones's tips on succeeding in business.

(this may take a few minutes to download depending on the speed of your internet connection)
This podcast uses QuickTime.
Click here for a free download of QuickTime.

Gerald Ratner podcast

Gerald Ratner talks to us about what he's learnt from losing everything and successfully rebuilding his retail business from scratch.

Watch the Gerald Ratner podcast.
(this may take a few minutes to download depending on the speed of your internet connection)
This podcast uses QuickTime.
Click here for a free download of QuickTime.

Enterprise

Being enterprising is simply about turning good ideas into a reality, so if you've had an idea that you think could go somewhere there are lots of organisations that can help you get started.

 

Enterprising Streak

Check out the Enterprising Streak website for inspiration, advice, and contacts to help you start turning your ideas into a reality. On the site you can:

Explore ways of developing your ideas

• Get in touch with a range of support organisations across the region to help you make the most of your ideas
• Meet the experts – find out what events are happening in your area.

Would you like to run your own company?

Young Enterprise programmes help young people to learn about business and enterprise through real life experience. This includes the chance to set up and run your own company.

To see if your school or college is already involved download the pdf below:

Young Enterprise programme (pdf format - open in new window)

If your school is not listed go to the Young Enterprise website for more information on getting your school or college involved.

Have you got an idea you would like to turn into a reality?

Then check out the Next Steps  guide to starting a business. This guide contains sources of information to help answer the many questions you might have about making that dream a reality.

Go to the next steps site

Need some inspiration?

Find out how enterprising young people have succeeded:

Sandra Harrison: Revival Productions

Why am I enterprising ?
I am self-taught in TV production, acquired experience and knowledge at Carlton TV, working as an associate producer / director, then worked for a couple of corporate video production companies. During this time I was also busy making short films and writing screenplays for feature films. One of my films won an award in 1999 and from there, I decided to set up Revival Productions on the back of that success.

Where I live: Derby

What/Who is my inspiration ?
Film makers who have had no formal training, who have just gone out and put their money where their mouths are! Entrepreneurs who have made it against all odds - because it’s sheer determination that results in success.

Highest high ?
Winning an award for short film and this year , winning an award for a training video.

Lowest Low ?
Being too busy to cope with demand.

My Top Tip: Believe in yourself - the worse that could happen is you fail – which in my book is better than having never tried.

Why am I enterprising ?
We are young people with big ideas, sick of misused skating areas and had an idea for a multifunctional indoor skate park with space for other activities. We meet every week and have done since January 2002 and this project is a social enterprise. At the moment we are looking for potential sites, we employ a Project Development Manager, we have worked with an architect and we have recently employed a company to do a feasibility study, which we believe will prove the skate park is needed.

Steven Prince and Gemma Longmead : Project Cyclone

Where I live: Kirkby-in-Ashfield

What/Who is my inspiration ?
We have been inspired by Elaine Moulton, the founder of Project Cyclone, who wrote it for her grandson and other young people. Her mission was to empower young people and give something back to the community. Peter Robinson, the Project Manager has also been a big inspiration to us. Our vision is to create an accessible indoor Skate Park with associated community and enterprise resources, linked to other adventure facilities.

Help I've had ?
We have received funding from many different organisations including Social Enterprise East Midlands, East Midlands Development Agency and local councils.

Highest high ?
Undertaking the Enterprise for All Project. Ongoing Enterprise and Personal Development, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Training, undertaking an Outward Bound weekend. Most recently in June 2004, Elaine Moulton on behalf of Project Cyclone attending an event at 10 Downing Street to represent Social Enterprises.

Lowest Low ?
We do not see it as the scariest moment but waiting for land can be frustrating, but in the meantime we continue to network, and get our name known.

Want to read about more young people's experiences? Go to the Enterprising Streak website

Last Updated: 26-Aug-2008