Firms flourish with little bit of trust

By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News

"There is a need to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs" Prince's Trust business idea at 25

The Prince's Trust's business programme reaches its 25th anniversary on Thursday, and will be marked by a conference hosted by the Prince of Wales looking at the scheme that was first launched in 1983.

At the core of the trust's programme is making low-interest start-up business loans available to those aged 18 to 30 who are suffering from unemployment, ill-health, or a lack of education and qualifications.

Now, as part of the silver jubilee commemorations, those who have benefited from the loans - and mentoring - that the trust provides will be holding a series of workshops to pass on their advice, support and experiences.

Here we look at some of the entrepreneurs past and present who have been helped by the Prince's Trust business programme.

JAMES SOMMERVILLE & SIMON NEEDHAM - ATTIK

With no money or means to set up their own business, James Sommerville and Simon Needham - fellow ex-students from Batley Art School - came to The Prince's Trust 20 years ago for help setting up their own company.

They now run a creative design company with offices in three cities worldwide, boast a turnover of more than £10m, and have big name clients such as Coca Cola, Adidas, Heineken, and Toyota.

In October 2007 the firm was bought by Japanese media giant Dentsu, with James and Simon remaining on-board the 65-strong team as creative directors.

Attik was founded by a pair of former pavement artists, James (l) and Simon

"We were 19-years-old and were unemployed and spending our time as pavement artists, but wanted to set up our own graphic design studio," recalls James.

"None of the banks would lend us the money we needed to start up, but someone mentioned the Prince's Trust to us, which was not as well known than as it is now, and they were able to give us the money to get started."

They were able to borrow £2,000 which they used to buy Apple Macs, which, although central to the design industry now, were very much a new tool back then.

Those Macs enabled the pair to get off to a flying start, at a time when many of their rivals were still using cut-and-paste methods on a drawing board.

Attik is now well-known as an expert in branding products for young adults, and for making "mature brands" appear more youthful.

More important than the money that the Prince's Trust gives, I think, is the fact they show so much confidence in the young people they help James Sommerville, Attik

However they have not forgotten that initial help, and often pass on their advice to today's generation of Prince's Trust-backed entrepreneurs.

"Over the years we would like to think that we have got as involved as anyone, " says James.

"Young people are in the same shoes that we were 20 years ago. We give them what advice we can and it is great to be able to help.

"More important than the money that the Prince's Trust gives, I think, is the fact they show so much confidence in the young people they help.

"They are willing to take a chance with the business ideas, and are then there to offer constant mentoring and support."

EMELINE PILAY AND KARNILLA BELL - WINDIES

Emeline Pillay and Karnilla Bell are founders of a trust-supported catering firm, specialising in West Indian food, called Windies.

The pair were single mothers when they came to the Prince's Trust for support in 2005. In addition, Karnilla suffers from sickle cell anaemia.

After previously lacking the money, skills, and belief in themselves to succeed, they are now expanding their business and taking part in the 25th anniversary of the business programme celebrations.

Emeline and business partner Karnilla started their own company in 2005

Their catering can be sampled at major horse racing events, including at Ascot, the Epsom Derby, Cheltenham, and Windsor, among others.

They have also supplied food to the Urban music awards and other festivals.

"It was quite a struggle for us, before we were put in touch with the Prince's Trust," says Emeline, 28, of Gillingham, Kent.

"We had done 18 months of research and planning but because we are both single mothers we were unable to get financial backing."

And because the pair did not own their own homes they were unable to put up security for any loans.

"Karnilla's condition also meant she could not stick to a permanent job, which was quite frustrating for her," she says.

It is tremendous to have someone believe in you after so many have closed the door on you Emeline Pillay, Windies

"We both have two children and wanted to do something that we could work around them."

When they went to the Prince's Trust their wealth of prior research and planning meant the pair were given the maximum £5,000 loan to help them get off the ground.

"It is tremendous to have someone believe in you after so many have closed the door on you," says Emeline.

"The trust business programme also gives tremendous support, mentoring, and regular checks to make sure everything is going well, or to make sure we have no problems.

"They are there for us if we need anything."

JOE BURKE - THIRST SOLUTION

Joe suffered from a long-term illness, Crohn's Disease, which led him to be unemployed for a long period of time before he approached the Prince's Trust business section for a loan.

Thirst Solution makes drinks packs for sporting and other events

Now, after just 18 months, Joe supplies mobile vending systems to many well-known event stadiums across the country including the O2 Arena and Arsenal, Newcastle Utd and Sheffield Utd's football grounds.

He has recently added the 02 Arena, Wembley Arena and the Millennium Stadium to venues he supplies, and is now looking to expand across the UK, the US and Australia.

His products can be used at concerts, sports events, and conferences, and alleviate the need for queues as vendors work among the customers.

"I was quite ill for a while and did not have the strength for full-time employment, " says 24-year-old Joe, who works out of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

As well as the loan, the constant support and advice they give is awesome Joe Burke, Thirst Solution

"I decided that I would have to do something for myself. After I came up with my idea someone put me in touch with the Prince's Trust business programme.

"That was 20 months ago and now my mobile vending units for food and drink are in a number of sports and concert stadiums.

"I am not the designer, but we have worked with people in Asia whose knowledge is impressive."

He says the Prince's Trust was "definitely a major contributor" in getting his business off the ground.

"As well as the loan, the constant support and advice they give is awesome."