Young & Ambitious: Rockstar Youth entrepreneurs

The Rockstar Youth Start Up Loans programme is a part of the £82.5m government programme that has been launched to support 16-24yr old young entrepreneurs start up and scale their businesses.

Here Flavour showcases the story of a few individuals that have benefitted from this scheme.

Stephen Canning
Stephen Canning is 19 from Braintree in Essex.. he is the found of Divine Dash an innovative platform that supports businesses of all levels in collating monitoring, tracking and analytics.

The business concept is to create an intuitive dashboard which delivers up to the minute data and statistics on core online strategies such as Adwords, email marketing, social media and other methods that the business has employed to capture clients.

Stephen’s challenges were based around development of the website and platform software along with getting his brand and service out into the domain.

Stephen was one in the first wave of applicants onto the programme and attended the first business incubator hosted by Rockstar Youth; here he worked on the key deliverables and proof of concept to refine his offering and focus on the areas that would deliver fast return on investment.

Since being approved for the start up loan Stephen has been developing his strategies and will now work with a Rockstar mentor with extensive experience and contact in the online/tech space. There are also future plans to develop an app to support his platform.

When Stephen was asked about the programme and Rockstar he said “Seeing the enthusiasm in other people and so many great ideas inspires me to want to progress my own business… the Rockstar Youth Start-Up Loans programme is a fantastic all-in-one package that really helps you validate your idea and you get to meet some really great people on the way.”

Stephen is currently researching and building a network of potential partners and clients with a view to get his pilot platform in place for testing and fulfilment.

Emma Agese
Emma, 21 is from London and the founder of Agese Oils… her business was developed from experience and desire to improve skin and hair conditions which affects millions of women.

Agese Oils manufacture cosmetics that are tailored for a range of skin and hair concerns, made with 100% natural blends and with experience that has been passed down from generation to generation Emma is determined to provide quality care products at affordable prices.

Emma came to Rockstar Youth not only to get the funding but the expertise in launching her range and generating the brand communications that will support her in rolling out a range of products quickly.

Having secured a level of investment Emma demonstrated the excellent knowledge of her market and identified the challenges she will be facing; the business incubator really supported Emma is refining her pitch and understanding how to make effective use of the network she has, she is building and of course the network that her mentor will provide.

Emma commented “Inspired by so many young people who want to start their business, the networking is priceless and you learn so much from the process and how to get return on your investment whether it is time or money”

Emma is currently in the process of developing her range of products ready for trials and launch into the market.

Will Beeching & Ed Craddock

2 aspiring entrepreneurs with a fine eye for creative development, Will and Ed started Flowbox Design from their own bedrooms and aspire to develop their agency to be a leading provider of creative design and digital services.

Will and Ed came to Rockstar Youth with the aim to secure funding to allow them to expand their operation and also develop a stronger proposal for their services. What they realised is that their client base is pretty much in the same business incubator they were sitting in and furthermore have proposed to partner with Rockstar Youth to offer their services to all businesses that start up through the programme.

Flowbox Design is a typical example of a business that has already started but was experiencing limitations to their reach. This process has provided the business an opportunity to open new channels, get the funding to support their expansion plans and mentoring that will guide them to larger contracts.

Will and Ed said “they are so pleased that they have taken the chance to apply for the process and excited at the proposition of working with experiences and astute entrepreneurs.. the only way is up!”

Ufeli Ani
At the age of 20, Ufeli is already demonstrating a strong mind and determination to succeed, Ufeli is the founder and creative director of The Embrace Range – Ufeli Ani.

The business is based on corporate fashion-wear designed for fuller figured women; Ufeli identified that often is the case that women’s clothing is strict on sizes and the proportions often leave ill fitting suits and body image issues.

Attending the Rockstar Business Incubators provided Ufeli with a way of developing a strong message and pitch about her and the brand which is very important. Ufeli also developed strategies of how to assess competitors, identify the opportunities within her own business and also how to open doors that to date she felt were ones that would always remain closed.

Ufeli was keen to comment “networking with like minded people and the real feedback from the facilitators sets this process aside from others.. what I really love is the tips I was provided on how to create more opportunities for me and my business.. I have been recommending this programme to my friends already, asking them.. why aren’t they here?”

The funding raised for Ufeli will allow her to get her website and brand developed and she is already preparing her range of clothing and marketing.. add to this a mentor with extensive fashion experience and Ufeli will be taking the corporate fashion market by storm.

For more information on Rockstar Youth visit: www.Rockstaryouth.co.uk