Santander & Evolve Enterprise Awards 2019

and the winner of the Santander & Evolve Inspiring Entrepreneur award is…

This year’s International Women’s day will hold a special significance in my heart. Due to it being the day I won an award AND had my artwork included in Laura Nyahuye’s #IAmHer exhibition. Laura was also an award nominee and winner! It has taken me a week to recover from all the excitement. My faulty body doesn’t cope very well with exciting stuff. So this isn’t the freshest news but I am sure you will agree it’s pretty darn amazing!

CUSE Evolve Awards

If you are wondering what the heck CUSE stands for it is Coventry University Social Enterprise. They are the only UK example of a social enterprise set up by a university to promote social entrepreneurship and innovation. I joined their first ever Evolve programme. As a result, I was able to turn my ideas into a business plan, through interactive sessions with Donna Preece and development meetings with my mentor Helen Brewster. They hosted their first awards ceremony in collaboration with Santander Universities on March 8th 2019. Still trying to catch my breath about being nominated for two awards – Inspiring Entrepreneur and Social Impact! Get the lowdown on all the nominess and winners

Here is the video I had to make for my nomination. Lots of doodles rather than me talking to the camera!

And the winner is…

I never thought this sentence starter would finish with…Melissa Smith from Feel Good Com. And to add to my surprise I had to give a one-minute elevator pitch. I can’t remember what I said but I can remember what I felt. Yup, you guessed it – shock, surprise, delight, excitement, WTF all rolled into one!

Other award winners…

Hustler Of Connect Me – GLENN HENBURY – GLENN’S PC TECH

Social entrepreneur to watch – Laura Nyahuye

Super chuffed to say Laura is a friend of mine, someone who inspires and motivates me. Founder of Maokwo. A generational thinking organisation helping artists to thrive. Who respond to community issues using art as a vehicle for positive change 

Side Hustler of CUSE – Esme Spurling 

Esmé Spurling is a multi-platform media expert. With specialisms in communication, video production, social media content management and photography. Esme is the owner of the media company ESMEDIA, which has worked for international clients.

Check out Esme’s You tube award video

Creative Business – Kojo Marfo

My Runway as a “youth development platform”. Designed to help youngsters forge a career in the creative industries.

entrepreneur of emerge TEMITOPE OLANIPEKUN -DOMINION DESIGN & PUBLISHING

Dominion Design is a publishing company that specializes in in-house design and illustration of referencing and educational materials. Dominion Design also produces various digital artifacts such as digital portraits, illustrations, website and logos as well as delivering digital art and design consultancy services.

entrepreneur of evolve LEE-ANN BOSTICK – SLICKFIT

SlickFit the name and SlickFit the brand/products combine two things, Lee-Ann has been passionate about for a very long time: hair and fitness.

Hustler of Erasmus & Woman in Business – Diana Chipara

Qul Language Solutions Ltd. provide tailored interpreting and translation services across the West Midlands.

Check out Diana’s You tube award video

One to Watch – Alejandro Perez 

The IUDRO, International Universities Drone Racing Organisation, is the world’s first company that regulates inter-university drone racing events to propel the sustainable adoption of drone technology.

Social Impact Stacey Jade Mason – Creative Optimistic Vision

Creative Optimistic Visions is the leading provider for Protective Behaviours in Coventry and Warwickshire endorsed by Protective Behaviours Consortium, the national organisation for Protective Behaviours in the UK

Most Evolved Craig Sweeney Positive Impact For Young People

Positive Impact for Young People CIC was established in 2017. To tackle social exclusion by supporting vulnerable young people aged 11-24 who are disengaged from Education, Employment or Training. They operate from Nuneaton, North Warwickshire and surrounding areas.  Positive Impact for Young People CiC uses a strength-based approach. Which develops young people’s skills, increases resilience and re-engages young people into Education, Employment or Training.

What next?

With the help of my award money from Unltd, I have been busy learning how to and creating a range of Feel Good products. Along with developing the online shop with my tech guru – Phil Choi. And testing the waters at Pop up Markets.

The Maker of Mischief bags are proving a hit. Likewise, orders are coming in for my art prints. Hopefully, it won’t be too long till the shop is live and ready to take orders. If you sign up to the newsletter, not only will you receive a FREE Feel Good doodled gift but you will also be one of the first to hear when the shop is ready for business. In the meantime, you can catch me at the Herbert Art Gallery’s Spring Makes Fair on Saturday, March 23rd.

Coaching Opportunity

CUSE are looking for people who would like to donate at least 1 hour a month to help coach a fledgeling entrepreneur. They will provide training and the experience will help to build your professional development. Could this be you? – get in touch with Donna Preece for more info – DPreece@cad.coventry.ac.uk