Expert advice for Thame’s winning Young Entrepreneurs

THE winners of Thame’s Small Business Saturday, Young Entrepreneurs Competition held back in December 2016, were able to pick the brains of long-standing business experts, on Saturday (February 25).

Back row – Mr Mason (Amelie’s father), Tim Luscombe, Tom Wylam, Philippe van Caloen
Front row – Katy Dyer, Amelie Mason, Lottie Moore, Rod Carmichael

Meeting at the offices of specialist recruitment company, CarmichaelUK, based in Thame, the young entrepreneurs – Tom Wylam, Amelie Mason and Philippe van Caloen –  received expert advice on how to develop their winning business ideas. The local business experts were the competition judges, Tim Luscombe (Thames Valley Business Advisers), Rod Carmichael (CarmichaelUK), Lottie Moore (Mindset Metaphors) and Katy Dyer (style and image coach).

The ideas brainstorm was part of the prize pot awarded to the young entrepreneurs in December. The first prize of £500 and 12 months’ mentoring went to Tom Wylam of Princes Risborough School for his idea, CupCycl, based on recycling disposable cups. The second prize went to Amelie Mason of Lord Williams’s School for her idea, Magical Maths, based on a new maths app, and the third prize went to Philippe van Caloen of Oxford Brookes University for his idea, WeCoach, aimed at helping students apply for their first job.

Competition Co-ordinator, Helen Johns, said: “Tom, Amelie and Philippe were very enthusiastic about the brainstorming day, saying that they had gained valuable insights to make the most of their business ideas, which would help them develop and bring them to fruition.”

Philippe commented: “The Small Business Saturday competition helped me translate my project into a really clear and simple business idea. The brainstorm gave me the chance to reflect on my idea and clarify my vision on how to make it a simple but sustainable business opportunity. Advice given by the coaches and judges was really valuable. Last but not least, it helped me build my confidence about this project, one of the main ingredients for any entrepreneurship journey.”

The Young Entrepreneurs’ Competition is a new venture, sponsored by CarmichaelUK. Its Managing Director ,Rod Carmichael, said: “The competition offers a brilliant platform for young talent. It’s important that young people can express themselves outside the standard GCSE route to market, and they should be encouraged to try new ideas. Entrepreneurs don’t all have to come from one place; you can start your journey by doing something different. The markets have changed dramatically in recent years, and clients are challenging us to find people who can show talent, ideas and innovation.”