Global Enterprise Week sees A Tiger, a Toucan and a Rokk grill entrepreneurs

Business ideas ranging from low cost fudge, surf clothing, coffee houses and wood turning were among those pitching to local business experts to mark Global Enterprise week at Exeter College last week.

Local entrepreneurs, Ann Holman from Toucan, Adam Stone from Rokk Media and James Eyre of The Lifestyle Group (which includes Tiger Bills) put the college's Enterprise Academy students through their paces as their business ideas and plans were tested for innovation, sustainability and potential success.

“The Enterprise Academy was set up a year ago to provide budding entrepreneurs with the skills and contacts they need to take their ideas to the marketplace,” said Rob Bosworth Assistant Principal. “Like all of our Academies at Exeter College the local industry partners are the essential ingredient to ensure the students have a clear line of sight to the real world. I am grateful, as always, for the commitment and dedication from our local business partners. The students have really benefited from their feedback and support.”

Will Price, 16, originally from Chulmleigh Community College, is hoping to take on local fudge producers by creating his own sweet sensation for a lower price while Drew Thackary, 19 is looking to set up his own surfing clothing range.

Enterprise Student
“It makes me hugely proud to play even a small part of Exeter College's inspirational and powerful Enterprise Academy.” said James Eyre, “For me, personally, as an ex-student of Exeter College I really engage with the power this process and journey can do so positively for the student. What really defines the programme is the quality of the students and the potential outputs they each inspire! Well done Exeter. ”

“It was clear to see how much work and research the students had put in,” continued Adam Stone from Rokk Media “They understood their markets, how to target them and what made their business viable. It's seriously impressive to see such talent coming out of the Academy.”

Emily Wilson, 16 is focussing on enterprise and business but is also a skilled woodturner so was looking to see if her business plans to sell her own product as well as provide tutoring to novice woodturners got the thumbs up from the demanding panel of experts. “The session has helped me think about branding my products and my business,” said Emily “I'm thrilled that the experts thought my idea was unique in taking a 20th century trade into the 21st century. It's a very male dominated trade but I'm keen to help other young people take up woodturning. I now feel that I've got the confidence to be selling my products at craft fairs and then on the web – they thought it was reasonable and feasible!”

“If the quality of the students we met today are indicative all I can say is we have some fantastic business champions for the future right here on our doorstep! Said Adam Stone from Rokk Media, “I'm so proud to be involved with the Academy.”
Emma Ackrill Enterprise tutor said “The Academy has been focussed on market research and pitching this term and the presentations to these successful local business mentors not only marks the Global Enterprise Week but is also key to ensuring that the students continue to challenge their ideas and understand the competitive nature of the current economic climate if they are to be successful.”

Enterprise Student
Last up for the business mentors' scrutiny was Sadie Lyon, 16, who has plans to take the concept of the English coffee house over to the States and pitched her idea hoping for approval and first hand business advice that will take her new business across the pond. “I was really nervous to start with in front of the business experts but hearing their feedback and their faith in my idea has been great. They gave me very interesting and helpful advice on how to break into the market in the States – the States are obsessed with anything British and the mentors really think my idea will work.”

“I feel very privileged to be part of The Enterprise Academy,” said Ann Holman from Toucan, “It's been an inspiring and enlightening experience hearing students pitch their ideas. I hope I've been instrumental in helping them refine projects and provide feedback that's added value. Seeing some of the business ideas has assured us all that our entrepreneurial future is very promising.”