Firstly at the iconic St Georges Hall Concert Hall for the Liverpool Schools competition created by Gary Miller. This exhilarating event was inspired by Gary serving as a judge for Hope University Lynn McCann’s Junior Dragons Den events.
It was uplifting seeing the different ideas around which schools had created businesses.
Sat with Mike Parker Chairman of Liverpool Vision, he was very interested in Pink Shoe NW, had a great chat and we both bought products from young entrepreneurs – a book about Liverpool from a 7-year old from Rice Lane Infants School and a Snow Globe from Anfield Infant School – Childs Eyes on Liverpool. Two teenage Entrepreneurs, Ryan and Thomas who run Red Line Events, invited me to their 'Mocktail Party' at The Albert Dock with Miss UK. Met with some of the judges including Peter Avis who runs Babylon at Kensington Roof Garden for Virgin. All inspiring, and a very difficult to job for the judges!
Day 2 was the big event at the Arena & Conference Centre. Hearing the many speakers and meeting so many entrepreneurs was a real buzz. And I was one of many tweeting key ideas throughout the day.
Just a few of my personal highlights…
That’s our take on business – its not just what you do in the business but how you impact the community and the wider world. Everyone got excited about Virgin Galactica too!
Very energizing to see the prizewinners from the schools competition – Rice Lane Infants School and Parklands High School for their T-Shirt range.
Terry Leahy told us that most young people should see themselves as entrepreneurs, but fewer than half do anything about it. He also talked about the importance of entrepreneurial thinking inside organisations, and some of the ideas developed within Tesco and from people coming out of big companies. Terry said you have to show courage and take personal risks, then you can change things both within an organisation and as an entrepreneur.
Acting on belief and being bold made the difference to the business. ‘ A dream is just a dream if you don’t pursue it’. Very ‘Pink Sky’ Thinking!
Michael Heseltine said its vital to do what you enjoy – find something that makes you look forward to Monday mornings! He also admitted that luck pays a part.Talked about the public sector and how it could become more entrepreneurial. That the sheer scale of budgets meant Ministers are encouraged to look only at the big picture, but as in all small businesses often it’s the detail that counts.
Deborah Leary was inspiring, saying business is all about the people. She said since the recession people want to collaborate more, her company is working in more partnerships and there’s more energy in the market.
Martha Lane Fox agreed it was about working together, she could have done it on her own but so much stronger working with a good team. She said, there’s so much brilliance out there – harness it!
Finally, I was pleased to hear the vision for Liverpool. A ‘smart’ city – looking 20 or 30 years to the future, to build on the vision for a green and global city! Met 'John Lennon' of The Back Beat Beatles on my way out…
On Wednesday I was on the Fringe – first of all at Blackburne House with the wonderful Clare Dove for the Social Enterprise in Action festival. Café conversations on all aspects of enterprise with entrepreneurs from Construction to Health & Wellbeing, lots of wonderful businesswomen, even a singing entrepreneur…Bernadette Whelan of Crescendo who enrolled the room into an impromptu singing experience so that everyone left smiling and uplifted!
In the evening it was the Women in Business Mastermind, chaired by the extraordinary Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson with an array of wonderful women including Anna Heyes MD Active Profile, Deborah Leary Forensic Pathways, Deborah Blisson, and Bev of YTKO. It was great to hear from Carrie Green who started her first business at 20, and Anna Hayes, young Entrepreneur of the Year who works with young girls to inspire more to become entrepreneurs.
Deborah believes we must change the language, barriers are just challenges and if we go into something with the mindset it’s a barrier then it will be one! We heard about twitter too – she has 4 accounts but warns to be careful, she recently got hacked by a porn site… (having had problems tweeting that evening this was timely to hear)
Also had some good advice on employing people, or rather not employing them but outsourcing instead.
Bev said ‘cashflow is more important than your mother!’ The entire panel agreed that keeping a close eye on the money is vital. We also heard that although funding can be tough, prepare properly and you’ll get the finance.
Bev also relayed that in science and technology there is still a majority of men, a field in which she is clearly successful and she had some very visual and amusing ideas about how to succeed in a male-dominated world! Stuart Morris who travelled from Henley University courageously joined the debate on behalf of the gentlemen present!
It was also agreed that networking is a good tool towards success, and of course at Pink Shoe Club we endorse that!
Delighted that Deb Leary is interested in PSC projects we have planned for June and beyond, as are Anna and Cary. Stuart suggested being an ambassador for women and showed me a picture of his wife’s fabulous pinky/purple wedding shoes! I invited him to join Pink Shoe Club - Hurray for Stuart! Jeannette Kehoe Perkinson did a fantastic job and Maggie our host created a lovely entertaining evening!
On Friday we were at the Museum of Liverpool, then at 'The Light' in another iconic landmark, the Liver Building.
Thank you all and thank you Liverpool!
On Friday we were at the Museum of Liverpool, then at 'The Light' in another iconic landmark, the Liver Building.
Thank you all and thank you Liverpool!
