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Winners named from budding businesses
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| And the winners are - Brad Seaborn and Amanda Ruiz, centre, are presented with their prize of £2,000 each by the judges, left to right, Patrik Minder, of The Lemon Tree; Russell Felstead, of Barclays; James Tucker, of Larking Gowen; Tony Fisher, of Fisher Jones Greenwood, and Gazette editor Irene Kettle. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (76540-21) |
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Two fledgling businesses were given a Super Start when they were named winners of a new competition, backed by the Gazette.
Brad Seaborn and Amanda Ruiz presented their business ideas and faced tough questions posed by judges in a nail-biting Dragon's Den-style final of Super Start, a competition to support and help new businesses flourish in north Essex.
They were presented with £2,000 each to put towards their businesses, and will receive free legal and financial consultations from the sponsors, mentoring from Patrik Minder, owner of The Lemon Tree restaurant in Colchester and winner of businessman of the year category in the Gazette's Colchester Business Awards 2007.
"It was a remarkable shock when my name was read out," said Tiptree-based Mr Seaborn, who set up Violent Delights Anti-Fashion, an online business selling punk and goth-style clothing, ten months ago.
"It is such an achievement for me," he added.
"I have never given a presentation in my life, so it was terrifying, and I was so relieved when it was over."
The competition was sponsored by Fisher Jones Greenwood, Larking Gowen and Barclays, and the final was held at the offices of Fisher Jones Greenwood, in Newcomen Way, Colchester Business Park.
Five finalists gave their all during the evening, telling judges and an audience made up of north Essex business leaders, exactly why their ideas would work, and how they will expand.
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| Lock and key - Wendy Irwin, of GODS Security, makes her presentation. (76540-14) |
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Four of the finalists - winners Ms Ruiz and Mr Seaborn, and Sandi Moon and Wendy Irwin - all began their businesses with help from Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea) in George Williams Way.
The judges - made up of Tony Fisher, from Fisher Jones Greenwood solicitors, James Tucker, of Larking Gowen accountants, Russell Felstead, of Barclays, Patrik Minder and Gazette editor Irene Kettle - found it so difficult to pick the winners that they extended the prizes and announced the three runners-up will receive free consultation from the sponsors.
But it was Mr Seaborn, 28, and Ms Ruiz who impressed judges the most.
A former customer service advisor for Virgin, Mr Seaborn started his business on Ebay last year and invested £1,000 of his own money into setting up independently. After seven months of research, he finally established his own website last summer.
He believes in good customer service and hand-picks the clothing range personally.
"I have been a customer in this market for a long time and I know what my customers want," he told judges during his presentation.
"I want to reach a worldwide market rather than a small, localised market."
Mr Seaborn will put his winnings towards a Google Ad campaign and more stock, as he has already begun to expand by sourcing from America, becoming the only UK outlet to sell certain brands of clothing, and vice- versa.
When asked if he would consider opening a shop, Mr Seaborn replied: "The thought has crossed my mind, but shops selling similar styles have not lasted more than a couple of years.
"The community that would buy from me can be found in every town or city, but in Colchester it is just a couple of hundred people in a 20-mile radius. Being online means I can reach a global market."
After being named winner, Mr Seaborn, who hopes his business will achieve an £80,000 turnover in two years' time, said: "To be recognised as equal to people in this final was motivating in itself. Had I not won, I would still be glad I entered."
Ms Ruiz, 37, who used to work in marketing in London, began trading the ethically-trading Peruvian Knitwear six months ago, finding a niche in the market for childrenswear.
"It is overwhelming and fantastic to win. People will now realise I am serious about what I do, and winning just endorses it," she said.
The mum-of-two from Myland, Colchester, has promoted her business at 15 trade shows and events in two months and sells her products, which include handmade scarves, berets and ponchos, via an online boutique.
"Running my own business is something I thought I would do, as my mother ran her own business selling hand-crafted beads from all over the world," she said.
Since beginning trading, Ms Ruiz, who put £3,000 of her own savings into building the business, has made £6,250. She hopes to grow the business by 75 per cent each year and is looking to expand into adult clothing and light summerwear.
She reassured judges that stocks would always be available to customers.
"I can get things made in three weeks and it takes one week to ship over," added Ms Ruiz.
Tony Fisher, Super Start judge, congratulated all finalists and said: "Everyone can be proud of the fact they made it here, and of their presentations."
MORE ABOUT THE OTHER FINALSISTS
Wendy Irwin came to Colchester to start her business because of the wealth of support available to new businesses.
During her presentation, she told judges she had secured Train to Gain funding to train two employees for her business, GODS "Girls on Doors Security".
The business provides female door staff for venues and events in Essex and London.
"My next step is to get my assurances in place and I have organised on-going training for my staff in self defence, First Aid and drug awareness," she said.
Sandi Moon has worked "on a shoestring" to set up Easy-Maps, which produces picture-led walking and cycling guides for trails in north Essex.
"You can put these maps in the hands of children and they could lead you around," she said.
The idea came after realising many walking and cycling maps were large and difficult to follow.
She is eventually hoping to attract advertising.
Kate Nudds is developing a new division of her recruitment company, Professional Choice Personnel Ltd, offering a guidance service for people being made redundant.
"The out-placement consultancy is aimed at removing the stress, panic and anxiety related to job losses," she told judges.
The division would be called upon by employers and individuals, she said.
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