Today marks the launch of the third ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge, a region-wide competition set to re-ignite and celebrate North East England’s entrepreneurial spirit.The Challenge calls upon any individual who is thinking of starting a business, running their own business or looking to grow their existing enterprise to enter the Challenge and log on to tell their story - adding to a growing online community of entrepreneurs, each at different stages of their journey.
The campaign is built on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s well established principles of peer-to-peer support, where personal stories and guidance from experienced current business owners help nurture budding and existing entrepreneurs.
Over the last three years, the campaign has generated a growing online community of enterprising people who provide each other with support and make the most of the creativity and talent in the North East’s business community.
This generates a win-win situation for everyone involved, not just helping new start-ups but also helping to highlight some of this country’s most successful entrepreneurs and their critical role in the economy.
The Challenge for the previous two years have been hugely successful, not just in terms of the number of entrants but in celebrating their passion and overwhelming drive to succeed. The response has highlighted the thriving entrepreneurial drive in the region and epitomises the ‘If we can, you can’ attitude.
In spite of the current climate, there are plenty of opportunities and the ‘can do’ entrepreneurial spirit shown by previous entrants is a shining example of this. This year is expected to be no exception with everyone who enters benefitting from being part of a growing online community of like-minded entrepreneurs at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk.
Members are able to share their unique business insights and inspirational stories as well as using mentoring, business matchmaking and ‘pick our brains’ tools. To date, the growing online community stands at over 700 entrepreneurs and 100 mentors who are on-hand to share a unique insight with those looking for guidance.
Carole Beverley, Chief Executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum said: “Being part of this community is empowering and inspirational. The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has established a fertile and nurturing environment where the sharing of experience is encouraged at all levels and the online community of If we can, you can highlights our belief that everyone in business has something to offer. The people within this community are becoming ever more ambassadorial when it comes to entrepreneurship in the North East – by shouting from the rooftops ‘If we can, you can’.
“The ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge is about celebrating and encouraging people with the vision, passion and determination to make a business work. This year, more than ever before, entrepreneurship is at the forefront of the region’s economy and presents an exciting, independent career option for those looking to realise their enterprising potential or simply want to take their career in a new direction .
Carole continued: “There is no reason why the economic downturn should affect anyone with entrepreneurial aspirations. Today’s business environment is ripe with opportunity for innovation and instead of dwelling on fears, it's a great time to grab chances that arise. Over the next eight weeks we are encouraging as many people as possible to enter the If we can you can Challenge. This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for you and your business or business idea to feature in the local press, but also to become part of a growing community of like-minded entrepreneurs. The next faces of entrepreneurship for 2011 are out there somewhere, so why not give it a go?”
The Challenge leaves no doors closed in searching for the future faces of entrepreneurship. Whether it’s someone wanting to turn a great business idea into reality or someone who has already taken the leap of faith and are making the first steps in running or growing their own business, the ‘If we can, you can’ challenge is open to everyone.
The Challenge whittles down entrants to a short-list of five entrants who will then be offered the chance to meet a ‘Pick Our Brains Opportunity’ panel to discuss business ideas with last year’s finalists and senior Entrepreneurs’ Forum members.
Two will then go into the final and be put forward for the public vote, with the winners announced on the 17th June. Last year’s Challenge saw over 100 seasoned, emerging and aspiring entrepreneurs from across the region enter.
The competition, aiming to seek out and nurture the region’s inspirational entrepreneurial talent, also struck a chord with the public, with over 3000 votes cast to decide the eight sub-regional winners.
For the first time ever, this year the Challenge has incorporated a special tribute for the ‘Best Entrepreneurial Supporter’. Any entrepreneur that enters the Challenge will be given the chance to acknowledge and show thanks to the person that has given them that vital support throughout their endeavours. That person could be someone close to them; a friend or family member or it could be a business advisor from a support organisation. The winner will be given special recognition and an accolade to show appreciation for their support.
The ‘If we can, you can’ campaign is driven by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and funded by One North East. It aims to actively address the region’s current business shortfall by unlocking the entrepreneurial potential among the general public.
The campaign runs in line with the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘Leading the Way’ which identified the region’s key challenge as growing the value of its economy to 90 percent of the UK’s average. To achieve this, the North East needs between 18,500 – 22,000 new VAT-registered businesses by 2016, while encouraging existing businesses to sustain and grow.
As of today, entrants have until the 3rd of May (midnight) to log on at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/challenge and put themselves forward. For more information, to tell your story or to find more about the campaign, you can also visit http://www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/
Prize details
The Faces of Entrepreneurship 2011 will spearhead next year’s campaign, appearing in ongoing campaign advertising and publicity. They will also receive:
• A ‘money can’t buy’ surgery, giving you wide access to senior Entrepreneurs’ Forum members and other senior entrepreneurs across the region;
• A business gadget;
• A business services package - worth up to £5,000;
• Ongoing advice - qualified support, signposting and guidance on potential sources of finance;
• A place at Entrepreneurs’ Forum Annual Conference and Dinner on 20th May worth £270; and
• One year’s membership of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.
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