Helene Martin Gee gives a talk at Henley Business School

Pink Shoe Founder Helene Martin Gee spoke on entrepreneurship at Henley Business School, Reading University. A group of visiting Chinese students from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, were joined by post-graduate students from the Henley School of Entrepreneurship. 

Helene spoke about her own career, the setting up of Pink Shoe Club and future trends in business. One area in which Helene believes there is much opportunity is Internet retail, especially in the luxury market. 'It’s vital to me I work in an area that interests and excites me, that’s why I focus on luxury. Business ideas that resonate with one’s own life are much more likely to be successful’.

Other speakers included Judy Piatkus, who told of an exciting business journey from her spare room to running an international publishing business, Piatkus Books. Judy talked about the importance of timing and team work. ‘Timing and looking out for future trends is vital in business’ Judy certainly walks her talk - with excellent foresight and demonstrating a clear knowledge of the world publishing market, Judy sold her company in 2007 as she could see that the digital revolution was about to completely change the publishing world.

Later in the week, the Universities met at The House of Lords as The Earl of Erroll hosted the group to sign a Memo of Understanding between Henley Business School and Zhejiang University.