LORRAINE FERNANDES, Founder of Exmouth-based sales consultancy and sales coaching company Higher Associates, knows a good deal when she sees one.

So when she heard about the YESS (Young Entrepreneurs’ Support Solution) Project, a new venture aimed at helping young people in Devon interested in setting up their own business, she was keen to offer her assistance.

Having delivered her first talk as Guest Speaker in June, entitled Top Ten Traits of Entrepreneurs, she will be returning to Victoria House in Exeter to run a second workshop on Tuesday, October 19 – Entrepreneurial Success with a Sales and Marketing Twist.

“The YESS Project offers an invaluable service to young people in the area,” says Lorraine, who set up her own business in 2008, now employs three staff, and serves a client base across the county of customers ranging from software developers to hoteliers.

“The UK economy is largely made up of small businesses run by innovative individuals,” continues the 29-year-old from Exmouth. A former pupil of St Mark’s Sixth Form, who studied Business Studies and left with three A levels, she went on to complete The Dales Carnegie Sales Advantage, studied NLP, and is a certified coach with CoachU.

“What the YESS Project has to offer budding entrepreneurs here in Devon will enable them to gain the skills necessary to go out into the marketplace and build their own successful businesses. As part of the bigger picture, YESS is fostering the income generators of the future and that is so important if we are to maintain and grow a strong local and national economy.”

Additionally, Lorraine took one student on over the summer on work experience and is now acting as a Business Mentor for those involved in the YESS Project. She is recommending others think seriously about doing the same.

“Owners of all businesses, large or small, know how difficult it can be to get a new venture off the ground, and through this project young people have the chance to meet and learn from people with real-life experience of the business world,” explains Lorraine.

“It’s nice to think that I can be among those who can help, motivate, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs,” she adds. “Who knows? One of them could be the next Bill Gates or Richard Branson.”

Based in Victoria House, Queen Street, Exeter, the YESS Project was set up earlier this year as a new initiative aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial activity among young people in Exeter and the Heart of Devon.

Backed by Devon County Council through Productive Skills for Devon, Exeter College, and a number of other organisations, it has been designed specifically for 14 to 19-year-olds with a view to boosting levels of employment locally through increased business activity and, in turn, the region’s economy.

Free and available to anyone within the above age bracket, there are three main elements to the programme, as follows:
• INFORMATION CENTRE – Based in Victoria House, 33-36 Queen Street, Exeter (opposite Exeter Central Station), a drop-in service is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, where advice, information and other business materials are on offer.
• MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME – A variety of successful local business people engaged in the scheme offer support and advice based on their experience and expertise in their specialist area of work.
• BUSINESS WORKSHOPS – Workshops are run to provide young people with the essential business knowledge they need to help them start up their own business.
Intended as a ‘one-stop shop’, the YESS Project is about taking a holistic approach towards venturing into the business world, according to YESS Project Coordinator Charlotte Hayes.

Charlotte adds: “Having local business owners like Lorraine involved means we can offer practical guidance to young people based on the genuine experiences of others, which is an incredibly valuable resource.

“As well as listening to their sound advice, they can ask questions and bounce ideas off their YESS mentors, reassured in the knowledge that these are people who have already established themselves in business and know both about the risks and pitfalls as well as the huge benefits and rewards this can entail.”

People can find out further information and register for the workshops by dropping in to see the YESS team at Victoria House on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Alternatively, they can call 01392 205604