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
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)
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: 16-Jan-2008