Local Entrepreneurs Share Secrets Of Success
17 May 2012
Peak District entrepreneur Claire Milner with Events Management student Victoria Mauluka-Jones
As part of their degrees all of our students can learn vital business and finance skills and are encouraged to consider setting up their own businesses in their area of expertise.
”Sheila Mclaughlin, Lecturer in Business and Management
International Spa Management student, Sophie Collins, who set up her own spa
Budding business men and women at the University of Derby Buxton were given a few pointers by local entrepreneurs at a session dedicated to shedding light on how to set up a business.
The students heard from Tom Gill from the Bright Sparks Network in the Peak District, which works to champion rural enterprise and inspire local communities. They were also given valuable advice from local entrepreneurs Mat Look, founder of Peak District Creations, and Claire Milner, owner of Cheeky Monkeys Day Nursery in Chapel-en-le-Frith, the recently re-launched Little Rascals indoor soft play centre in Buxton, the Hartington Cheese and Wine Company and new venture, the Hog Roasting Company, who gave inspiring talks on their experiences of setting up businesses from scratch.
Both Mat and Claire benefitted from the Bright Sparks programme, which covers the areas within the Peak District LEADER rural action zone. This network of 'bright sparks' aims to help develop a set of integrated activities specifically designed to address issues of sustainability of rural enterprise.
Sheila Mclaughlin, Lecturer in Business and Management at the University, said: "As part of their degrees in hospitality and culinary arts, international spa management, outdoor, tourism, events and sport all of our students can learn vital business and finance skills and are encouraged to consider setting up their own businesses in their area of expertise.
"Many of our students and graduates have already been very successful in doing so."
Recently, BSc (Hons) International Spa Management degree student, Sophie Collins, 21, from the village of Blackmore in Essex, bought her own spa, saving three of her colleagues' jobs in the process.
Sophie had worked at the Kukana Spa at the Orsett Hall Hotel to support herself and gain vital work experience while studying. In the final year of her studies the business went into liquidation but, rather than facing unemployment and a difficult job market, Sophie drew on the confidence she had acquired on her course and her entrepreneurial spirit to take on the business herself.
Sophie said: "When I heard the business was going under I realised that it could be an opportunity for me to do what I had dreamed of and set up my own spa. My University degree had a focus on business management and throughout the course I'd gained work experience in a number of spas, so I knew I had the confidence and the skills to give it a go."
"It's been a real challenge but I'm proud that in going it alone and setting up the business myself I've been able to hold onto three of my full time colleagues."
Sheila added: "The Bright Sparks session definitely provided plenty of food for thought for our students and we hope it inspired many of them to consider setting up their own businesses in the future."
For more information about studying at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
