Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored and Judged by Colchester Institute

The Category

We are looking for an entrepreneurial businessperson, aged between 16 and 30, who identifies market opportunities, pushes obstacles to new ideas aside, is prepared to take calculated risks, and achieves success. The entrepreneur will lead and motivate people to exceed goals and targets?

If you fit the criteria above, why not nominate yourself for an award in this category and serve as a role model to other budding entrepreneurs? Or, if you know of such a person, why not submit an entry on their behalf?

What the judges are looking for

We are looking for individuals who are making a success of their business ideas. They will be able to demonstrate their skills in identifying a gap in the market, achieving goals and plans, have style and flair, and the ability to motivate and lead.

Specific questions to answer

1. Give examples of innovative or creative ideas that have impacted on your business
2. Describe calculated risks you have taken
3. Summarise any market research you carried out
4. Provide a measurement of the success of your business
5. Outline any plans you have to expand in the next 12 months

About the judges

Kati Vardon is the marketing manager at Colchester Institute and has overall responsibility for corporate marketing of this educational establishment across it’s sites in Essex. Prior to joining the College in 2002, Kati was Marketing Director of a computer software company, a business she jointly set up in the 1980s.

With a BA (Hons) degree in Business Administration with Marketing, and a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (both completed at Colchester Institute), Kati’s background covers design, event management, public relations, promotions and general business management. She has completed photography modules from the BA (Hons) in Art and Design and is working on various photographic projects.

Working at a such a large, vocational College allows Kati to indulge her own passion for learning and in addition to studying business and art, has undertaken IT qualifications, built a brick wall, learnt basic sign language and is currently studying and cooking each Monday evening on the Certificate in Culinary Skills programme.

Sarah Nicholls is the Schools Liaison Officer at Colchester Institute and is based within the Marketing department. She is the main link between the College and surrounding local schools. Sarah promotes the courses available at Colchester Institute directly to the schools and other colleges through visits, presentations and attendance at careers conventions. She also arranges many events both at the College for potential learners and also in collaboration with other external partners to market both further and higher education. Sarah has recently become a vocational mentor within a local school. She helps to advise, assist and encourage the young person to explore their journey, through from education to their chosen career.

Sarah previously worked in marketing for a high end teak outdoor furniture manufacturer. She was responsible for organising attendance at national and international exhibitions as well as liaising with PR and advertising agencies to promote the products to specific target audiences.

Sarah has also graduated with a Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma.

Last year's winner

Chris Elms, Fitness Found, Braintree and Pontlands Park

- Recognising that too many gyms are large and impersonal, Fitness Found build constant personal training into small group sessions to maximise motivation and performance. Chris has also pioneered a ladies boot camp concept and set up an innovative web site allowing people to post jobs and others to bid to do them.

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