A Hull Youth Enterprise Award-winner has urged the next generation of young entrepreneurs to “go for it”.
Nominations are now open for this year’s awards, which recognise Hull’s enterprising schools, young people and their supporters.
The awards are organised by Hull City Council in partnership with the Hull Youth Enterprise Bank.
Last year, Ben Robinson won the Sheila Waudby Most Enterprising Student of the Year Award for his PreHistoric Hull business.
He urged other young people with business ideas to take that first step forward – and to seek support from organisations such as the Hull Youth Enterprise Bank.
“I was really proud to have won an award last year.” he said. “Before then, I had never really won anything big, but that was definitely the first award I was extremely proud of.
“I think who ever gets nominated and wins these awards should be proud as they will deserve the award one hundred per cent.
“PreHistoric Hull has benefited a lot from the Hull Youth Enterprise Bank as at the start I had no money to get insurance and other things so I really couldn’t have started if I had wanted to. The business has grown a lot over the past two years to the point now where I can focus on other projects that I am doing.
“My message to young person with a good business idea would be just go for it. The worst thing that can happen is it doesn’t work and you get taught a lesson when you try and do it again. A small step forward is still a step forward.”
The awards are part of the #MadeInHull campaign to raise the profile of enterprise skills and youth entrepreneurship.
Here are the award categories:
- The Maxwell Bird most enterprising school in Hull
- The business that has done the most to promote enterprising young people in the City
- The Sheila Waudby Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- The Kevin McNamara Most Enterprising Teacher
- The Jane Disbrey Enterprising Student Award
- The Betty Hewitt Newcomer to Enterprise Education Award
And here are the special awards:
The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Award
- The Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Award
- The Gordon Wilson Youth Enterprise Leadership Award
- The Jack Brignall Youth Enterprise Award
The awards are sponsored by businesses and organisations from across the city. This year’s winners will be announced in Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.
The deadline for completed entry forms is Tuesday 1 October, with judging completed on Thursday 10 October.
Winners will be invited to receive their award at the celebration event on at KCOM Craven Park as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week from Councillor Steven Wilson Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber.
Ross Bennett, chair of the Hull and East Riding Youth Enterprise Partnership, said: “The partnership, in collaboration with the Hull City Council, is committed to supporting our enterprising young people. We are more than aware that the young people of Hull are our future, and we want them to move forward in life equipped with the right skills to build successful careers.”
For a nomination form, call 01482 613489.
