Make Your Mark Blog

In the doom and gloom of the credit crunch the world can seem like a pretty unfair place. (Boo) But all is not lost! (Yay!).  Because, like the sweaty gold medals clasped in the hand of Michael Phelps, opportunity abounds. Have a look…

Opportunity number 1: A chance to be the next Irvine Welsh
Think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Hunter S Thompson, William S Boroughs or even Oscar Wilde? Well, Penguin Books are looking for literary young types to become editors of their online community site, Spinebreakers.

So if you’re interested in literature and would love the chance to create short stories, blogs, art or videos to be seen by millions online, click here to find out more.

Opportunity number 2: Got a business? Get some money.
Ha. Bet that drew you in! Seriously though, if you have a business that’s been trading for at least two years and you have a disability, Sir Stelios (of Easy Jet fame) wants to give you a bit of a cash injection. Which is really very nice of him. 

Sir Stelios is on the hunt for the most innovative and enterprising start-ups and will be able to offer support and advice as well as tidy sum of £50, 000. So, if you own a start-up and have disabilities click here to find out how you could enter, also check out this for a bit of inspiration.

Opportunity number 3: The chance for your bright green ideas to sparkle
The very nice people at Unltd and The Guardian have joined forces (Like Captain Planet and his Planeteers!)  to give anyone with a bright green idea the chance to bring it to life. UnLtd and The Guardian will give awards totaling around £400,000 to individuals who want to run innovative environmental projects in their local communities or on a larger scale. This is clearly v.good news, so if you have some green-y ideas get clicking. You and the world will be glad you did.

Good Luck!
Diana x
PS: Did you like the Shakespearian feel to my blog title? Good innit.

I caught up with a fair bit of enterprise telly over the weekend - Secret Millionaire which I always enjoy but sometimes think it doesn’t do enough to show how entrepreneurial ideas can change social problems, it’s more about pots of money being handed over which don’t get me wrong I think is admirable and I always get a tear in my eye during that part! Anyway this week’s was even better as the entrepreneur James Benamor not only handed over cheques to three very deserving groups but also gave much more. With one group of youngsters at the Manchester Settlement he motivated them by saying that whoever got one or more GCSEs would get the chance to come and work for his company for a month. You could see how it changed their attitudes to know that someone believed in them and would give them a chance if they worked hard in return. Should be inspiration to anyone else who is in a position to look at different ways of getting people out of the cycle of bad behaviour, crime etc.

Then I watched The Money Programme’s Mumpreneurs programme which was hosted by Saira Khan, who is a mumpreneur herself. There were some inspiring stories of mums doing fab stuff, including Tanya Rostron who recently won the Mother@Work Mumpreneur of the year award. Whilst they all recognised that it had been extremely hard at times to run a business and a family they all recognised the benefits of being able to fit work around their kids rather than fit kids around their work.

And I must admit I did also watch a bit of Last Choir Standing on BBC - which showed how music can change people’s lives, improving their confidence and often giving them a break from their everyday lives. The same can be said of a number of clubs and hobbies and by being enterprising with passion or talent the sky’s the limit!

The dream is over. According to reports in some of today’s papers, the death knell of the Supermum rings loud and free and chaos abounds.

Or maybe not, could it be that though the report from Cambridge university, which kicked off this flurry of articles, reckons that more then half of British society believe that working Mums are evil incarnate, it might all be hyperbole?

As I blogged last week, there is clear evidence of women not only juggling but positively relishing work and family, and this should be celebrated and not put under tireless scrutiny.

So where do you stand in the debate? Do you think women can really enjoy work whilst having a family? Or maybe it is wrong and domesticity is the only natural solution? And what about that often forgotten aspect of the debate, what role do men play in the domestic life?

Join me here at the blog and let me know what you think

Diana x

A huge thank you to Eduardo for really making me feel welcome in Colombia. I was a tinsy bit worried about travelling to Bogota on my own but I´ve fallen in love with the city, it´s very green and one of the prettiest capital cities I´ve seen, and everyone is incredibly friendly. If there´s ever a secondment going, I´m first on the list!

Next stop, Sao Paulo…

A few things have caught my eye this week, including:

- a campaign to encourage Coca Cola to fund distribution of medicines in Zambia using its existing distribution network, which took off due to the power of Facebook.

- a student visit to Africa, where they were so moved by the differences between schooling in the UK and Africa that when they had to go home, they left their shoes behind. In Tanzania you can only go to school if you have shoes.

Both stories struck a cord as they really resonate with Enterprise Week’s mission this year, to unleash enterprising ideas and address some of society’s biggest issues. How can we encourage young people in the UK to come up with solutions like these?

- BBC also ran a story about the growth of blogs written by women. A conference in the States recently brought together some of these female bloggers with brands who are keen to tap into their collective knowledge and influence, and not least because of their spending power. I wonder whether we are as far down this road in the UK?

And, as Trevor would say, finally…a look at the survey which claims that Croydon is the ‘chavviest’ town in the UK. Two thoughts on that. Firstly, as mentioned in an earlier blog the word chav comes from the early Romany word for youth so literally speaking Croydon shouldn’t be too upset about being seen as youthful. And secondly, Croydon was also a regional winner in our search to find the most enterprising places in the UK last year. So maybe things aren’t all that bad there after all.

So I’’m sitting in San Francisco airport, having just crossed the international date line. This is one cool job!

Having said that, I’’m absolutely knackered. I’’ve just spent the last 10 days with Global Entrepreneurship Week Hosts from India and the UAE (in Bangalore); from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and China (in Singapore), and from Australia and New Zealand (in Sydney). We’’ve been talking about the campaign: how to build it up; how to get thousands of activities happening simultaneously worldwide; and how to connect young entrepreneurs from far-flung corners of the world.

Some of the highlights have included:

- Our newest Host signs up – the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (www.sme.ae). They’’re a great organisation which helps support young entrepreneurs in Dubai. And this means the United Arab Emirates is officially country 64 to sign up to Global Entrepreneurship week!

- Seeing the power of entrepreneurship in India: earlier this year our Indian co-Host NEN (www.nenonline.org) ran one of the most inspirational Entrepreneurship Weeks I’ve ever seen, with thousands of students around the country lighting candles, making pledges and running mini-competitions in the name of enterprise. Check out http://www.nenonline.org/jsp/eweek09/index.jsp to see what they achieved. And this year they’re planning to run speednetworks in educational institutions across the country, to tackle some special Unleash It! challenges.

- Getting a Global Entrepreneurship Week T-shirt specially made by Dash, the aptly-named energetic head of Warisan Global, GEW Host for Malaysia. They’’re really well-equipped to run Global EW there – check out the website www.warisanglobal.com.

- Spending time at the National University in Singapore, Hosts for Global EW in that country. They’’ve got some great competitions planned – including an entrepreneurial treasure-hunt. See www.entrepreneurshipweeksg.org for more. They’’re also really keen to run something which connects up entrepreneurs regionally, and something which enables their (incredibly entrepreneurially-minded) students to network with their counterparts in the UK. What proof of the power of enterprise to connect people across borders!

- Being part of one of the first coalition meetings for the Host in Australia, Social Alchemy. They’’re working in partnership with organisations like AIESEC, a powerful international network of student ‘leaders of tomorrow’ (www.aiesec.org). And Social Alchemy is trying hard to get a series of Global EW Australia launches, in cities around Australia, building up to November itself. Check out www.socialalchemy.com.au for more.

I guess the main message has been that the power of entrepreneurship – as a force to bring young people together, and help them to address society’s greatest issues –is massive. Visible proof of the argument we make in our latest briefing (see Taking Entrepreneurship Global on www.makeyourmark.org.uk/policy/policy_documents).

Now to Washington DC, for discussions with the rest of the Global EW Planning Team. More details of the three seminars, with pictures, to follow shortly. But I’’d encourage anyone interested in the campaigns in these countries – or anyone wanting to link up with these campaigns during Enterprise Week this November – to visit www.unleashingideas.org and get in touch with the Hosts there. They’re really keen to connect British youth into their own Entrepreneurship Weeks!

Madonna is one and so are Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and even Jordan! These women are not just famous celebrities but Mumpreneurs, the latest buzzword in enterprise. For a long time women in business have been a regular occurrence but the glass ceiling still holds strong when family and child care venture into the picture.

Thankfully there is evidence of women creating businesses whilst being able to care for their families. Mumpreneurs like Nadine Hill who created The Dream PA, Jessica Huie who set up Colour Blind cards and Beth Goddard who founded More! Productions are able to challenge the marketplace with creative and successful businesses models whilst effectively respecting family commitments.

So, can women really run successful businesses and families? Saira Khan of The Apprentice fame aims to answer this very question on The Money Programme‘s Mums The Business. Saira will be travelling around the country talking to Mumpreneurs and asking if women can really mix enterprise and family. Make sure you tune in on Friday 8th August  at 7pm BBC 2 and let us know here on the blog what you think….

Diana x

I recently met Beccy Earnshaw from SCHOOLS NorthEast.

SCHOOLS NorthEast represents all primary, secondary, maintained, independent and special schools in the North East.

It seeks to promote the great work being done in the North East to other local schools and also nationally. It seeks to promote the voice of head teachers, support staff development and help with employer engagement at a strategic level.

SCHOOLS NorthEast has some great projects in the pipeline and we look forward to working with them. To find out more, visit the website

If you’re a shopaholic and you like the thought of trading clothes, this could be the opportunity for you!

BBC2 is about to launch a brand new fashion show called Twiggy’s Frock Exchange, hosted by Twiggy, Lauren Laverne and Grazia magazine’s Paula Reed. The show will offer 100 women the chance to swap quality old clothes and get styling tips from the experts.

To be part of the swapping fun you need to be prepared to part with 5 good quality items of clothing – and in return you have the chance to walk away with 5 ‘new’ items. What one person has grown tired of or doesn’t fit into anymore may be someone else’s next party outfit – without any money being spent! 

The event will take place at The Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9RL. To take part you would need to be free on either Wednesday 13th or Thursday 14th August, and be available 11.30am until about 6pm.

We think this is a great opportunity for Girls! Make Your Mark ambassadors. After all trading up clothes is enterprising - and green. If this sounds like your kind of shopping (i.e. free!) then get in touch ASAP to chat to a researcher who will get some more information about you and answer any questions you may have.

Email fashion@silverriver.tvor call Caroline Walsh or Anna Haysom on 020 7307 2746 / 020 7907 3424 for full details.

Anyone can apply, but if you are a Girls! Make Your Mark ambassador please do let the team at Make Your Mark know that you’re planning to take part. Happy swapping.

Hunter and Taylor, identical twins aged 7 who live in Australia, have been talking on and off about starting their own business for years. They had been taking old Lego parts to school and selling them for a dollar to kids in the playground. After they each saved up their small pocket money allowances over two years to buy individual laptops -  they decided they wanted to make enough money to buy an iMac. After a few days of discussion, business planning and logo design, they have now launched Kids Candle Company and are blogging about their progress.

Why did they want to do it? Best summed up in their own words:

“Well I wanted to get more pocket money and give some money to poor people. I’m giving a quarter of my money to the business, a quarter of it the poor people, and a quarter of it to Taylor and a quarter of it to myself.”

§             Check out their website http://kidscandlecompany.com/

§             Watch this really sweet video about what they’re up to http://kidscandlecompany.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/making-our-first-batch-of-candles/

§             And here’s a news article on it: http://blogs.theage.com.au/enterprise/archives/2008/07/the_youngest_en.html

Last week I attended the south-east region meet-up at the Mercure Hotel in Gatwick. The day was a great success and kicked off with some speednetworking which broke the ice and got everyone mingling. We then heard from Jane at Buckingham New University about what she got up to during Enterprise Week last year and what they’re planning for this year’s Enterprise Week. We then heard an inspiring story from local entrepreneur Dominique Oliver who told us about setting up her business in film training, Resource Productions.

There were also talks from our Make-your-markers: Anjoum encouraged us to give our events a global theme and the web-saavy Eimear and Lauren talked us through how to use the web in our events with their ‘Web magic’ workshop. 

The whole day was very inspiring and some great networking and connections took place. Big thanks to everyone who came along and SEEDA for co-hosting the event.

We’re looking forward to the next meet-up which is for the East of England region on 17 September held at Ipswich FC. To come along to the next one email sarahsummers@makeyourmark.org.uk 

To see photos from the south east event go to: www.makeyourmark.org.uk/news_and_features/galleries/72157606347798849

The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards are designed to find a new generation of role models - whether they are new businesses, young entrepreneurs or social enterprises with vision and drive who are based in North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire, Shropshire and the Wolverhampton area . We are also looking for a special person or business that has overcome obstacles and succeeded ‘against the odds’.

In 2008 there is over £150,000 of prizes on offer, made up of professional services and £105,000 cash, split over 5 categories which include

• Best New Business (less than 4 years old)
• Best Business Providing Economic and Social Contribution to the region
• Best Social Enterprise or Charity
• Best Young Entrepreneur (under 25)
• Against All Odds (person or business overcoming the greatest obstacles to succeed)

For more detials and how to enter go to http://www.mf-awards.co.uk/about.html

Earlier this week Make Your Mark hosted a women’s only Ambassador Event at Wild Rose Florist in Hartlepool.

Our thanks to Natalie Mullen for proving such a lovely venue. The shop smelt and looked GORGEOUS! Nathalie is a successful young entrepreneur and now employs four people. She has always wanted her own florists and got her first break by recommendation and feels that her business has grown on recommendations.

There was some great networking going on at the event and we were pleased that our guests left with some useful new contacts.  

We played a flower related game to get to know each other a little better. We found out that we have 2 nettles in the office as well as a daffodil and a white delphinium, but can you guess who is who? Careful now…….

Guests (and flowers!) at the event included:

Rachel Powell, Fashion Network Limited, ethical fashion designer

Yvette Sheeky, Penelopes Pitstops Ltd, female friendly vehicle maintenance, MOT and repair

Maureen Colohan, Unique Solutions, providing approaches to support key individuals in business through times of stress or difficulty.

Claire Kruman & Becky Lambton, Orchid Marketing Ltd, marketing and event management consultants.

Melanie Rutherford,  Melanie Rutherford Enterprises, dance instructor

 ……Marigolds, lost of roses, ivy, daisies, a yucca tree, a freesia and a water lily, nettles, a daffodil and a white delphinium … but I’m still not saying who is who!

I’m sure my colleagues would agree that it is inspiring to see local women making their ideas happen and setting up their own ventures.

Are you interested in finding out a little more about becoming an Ambassador (male or female)? Please contact Ann Lee on 01642 451827. 

The free papers are not just a hot bed of salacious gossip and fashion tips but also good ideas. Surprised? Well so was I but amongst the pictures of WAGs falling out of tacky clubs an advertisement for an event called Time Banking lay in wait.

Time Banking is an ingenious idea. You get the chance to swap skills and talents with like minded individuals, all within handy hour sized chunks.

So if you’re handy with budgets, finance and Excel Spreadsheets, but would like to get some tips in design to enhance your marketing materials, then Time Banking may be for you.

This event, is going to be held at the London Mela 2008 on Sunday 10th August 2008, and is a really good way of connecting and networking.

So if this sounds like your kind of thing I would get down to London Mela 2008 and swap it like it’s hot!

Diana x

Any enterprising person should put this in their diary!

The Eastern Region Enterprise Week Meet Up is going to be held on the 17th September 2008!

Where: Ipswich Town Football Club

Time: 10am-2pm (lunch included)

Join us to get fresh ideas and tips on how to participate and get the chance to see what Enterprise Week is all about and how beneficial an enterprise culture can be!

The event is also a great place to network with local companies as well as Make Your Mark ambassadors and champions.

For more information or to book your place please contact beccie on 01502 580977 or email beccie@makeyourmark.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you all there..

Make Your Mark Team - Eastern Region