Look out for more photos coming soon….

For the first time, this year there was an Award for Emerging Entrepreneurial Talent recognising the best of Sheffield’s entrepreneurial and business-minded young people. The Award was open to all previous winners of the BiG Challenge and
other local and national business enterprise awards since 2008. The judges were looking for a young person who has developed an idea into a business proposition and was forecasting progress in 2012 and beyond, as well as someone who can demonstrate their personal learning and development from this experience.

“And the Winner is…18 year-old Joseph Panasiuk”

2011 was big for Joe. He won the Sheffield Young Entrepreneur Award and was runner up in the National Association of Colleges ‘Student of the Year’ competition. And that was just the beginning…

Joe is the owner of All Vintage Mini Ltd, which he established in June 2011 against the advice of established traders. Joe identified a niche opportunity within the student and semi-professional market, using social marketing to promote retrovehicles. After 6 months the business had expanded to a warehouse, took on casual staff, gained clients from Germany to Mexico and is now projecting to triple in size in 2012.

Meanwhile he is doing a Business Management and Enterprise Foundation Degree at The Sheffield College. He is also planning exciting developments with a road safety innovation in 2012.

Joe reflects that in running his business he is also “utilising transferable skills that are providing me with success in business and in my personal life, where my confidence has increased and my communication and leadership skills have developed significantly.”

Suzanne Liversidge, president of the Sheffield Chamber, said: “The awards have once again highlighted the high calibre of businesses and individuals across Sheffield.”

The current website for his business is: http://www.2classics.moonfruit.com/

The competition exists to find the nation’s up and coming businesses run by talented 11 to 18-year-olds. Alex, who has been a member since the club started in 2011 will recieve  £40,000 worth of business and mentoring support for his business.

Alex said: “It was a big surprise and I am absolutely over the moon. It makes all the hard work feel worthwhile. Winning the award has been a life changing experience and shows that sometimes the ‘crazy’ ideas are what it takes to make a difference”

Alongside his studies, Alex has been developing his business AG Paper Toys and has received advice, information and support from attending The BiGYEC.

He said: “The thing that impressed me about the BiGYEC is that I can share my ideas with people my age that can understand and relate to the experience of running a business. Since I started coming to the club, I’ve seen small businesses grow and I’m now good friends with a lot of the members some of whom I’m now working with.”

What started as a hobby is fast becoming a career ambition for Alex, who is preparing for his first solo exhibition and working on a book. He has received several business, corporate and wedding commissions.

Another BiGYEC member – Lydia – was a runner up in the same category with her business Recarry. To find out more about AG Paper Toys and Recarry, follow these links:

- http://agpapertoys.com/blog/

- http://recarry.com/

The Ambition AXA Awards results were announced at a ceremony in London on 30th November 2011. Find out about the awards here:

http://www.ambitionaxaawards.com/content/enterprise

• What is PR?
• Does it mean spin?
• How do you do it?
• Where should you start in developing a positive profile for you and your business?
• Tips on writing a press release.

With particular expertise in the leisure, culture and entertainment markets, he has managed media relations in many other fields. Neil has written for everyone from The Independent to The Big Issue and spent more than a decade in public and private sector PR before setting up All Credit Media in 2001.

Keep a lookout for more special events and guest speakers.

Louise at Electric Works said, “We are looking forward to hosting the BiG Young Entrepreneurs Club again!”

Electric Works is a state of the art, modern build in the heart of Sheffield’s cultural and digital quarter. It hosts both established and new, cutting edge business such as BSkyB and graphic designer Tahninial.

“We are delighted to be working once again in partnership with Electric Works. As a leading business venue, Electric Works provides the perfect environment within which to harness and support young entrepreneurs from across the city. We look forward to welcoming old and new Club members at upcoming BiG YEC events.” Philippe, BiG Young Entrepreneurs Club Lead.

With the programme for the Autumn/Winter term shaping up to be better than ever, it is safe to say that everyone is now really looking forward to the return of the BiG YEC on the 21st September.

After getting excited on the train journey down we arrived at St Pancras and headed off for a spot of lunch at Tinseltown.Everyone enjoyed their double burgers and VIP milkshakes surrounded by famous faces who covered the walls.

After tackling the tube we set off for the Original Open Top Bus Tour where we saw all the sights of London including an extra busy Trafalgar square which was hosting the 1 year countdown celebrations for the Olympics. Views of Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye kept us entertained until we bundled off the tour at the Bank of England Museum stop.

The Museum offered a wealth of history and interesting ancient bank notes and coins to look at. Next we set off for the London Metals Exchange for the last call out of the day. In the gallery we watched the ‘Ring’ fill with anticipation as the city slickers got ready to trade. Then the room was filled with noise as they bought and sold metals across the globe.

Although no one understood what their quick moving hand gestures meant everyone enjoyed the buzz that came from watching.

Alex said, “I enjoyed every part of the day, the food was good and London Metals Exchange was eye-opening.”

Lydia’s favourite part of the day was going on the open-top bus and seeing all the attractions of London.

Ergan however couldn’t decide, “It’s hard to say what my favourite part of the day was, I enjoyed everything it was great!”

On the train journey home everyone agreed that it had been a brilliant day and would look forward to the next time the BiG YEC set off to see the world!

At a glittering Celebration of Success ceremony at Sheffield City Hall Joe was awarded ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2011. A fantastic achievement – well done Joe!

To see video of the event and find out more, please follow the link to The Star website!

Alicia of King Edward Vll school and Rebecca of Sheffield Springs Academy flew to Madrid courtesy of DLA Piper.

The business trip included sightseeing and exploring business scenarios at the Madrid office and was hosted by local law partners.

Rebecca’s winning business is still trading as FunkySprout – a bespoke jewellery business and Alicia’s Dig for Charity seeds are still going from strength to strength and being sold at local fairs and events.”I still can’t believe it!” said Rebecca.

Check out her experiences in Madrid on Rebecca’s blog…