Three young local entrepreneurs have been given a cash and confidence boost after receiving bursaries from the Swansea Seed Fund.
The latest success stories are:
“Running my own business will enable me to create contacts with good people and achieve my dream of travelling and working around the world…”
Photographer Ben Murphy, who has already exhibited in local cafes and is now looking to organise a bigger showcase for his work in the Swansea area and beyond.
“I have a drive and ambition that I feel I would not be able to express if working for someone else…”
Rachel Hatcher, a holistic therapist with a growing number of clients and a focus on helping athletes stay in peak condition.
“I want to be responsible for my decisions…I like the fact that it puts me in control and I can implement my own method of working…”
Lucy Hellier, who has established a beauty and holistic therapy business offering clients a range of treatments from manicures and spray tans to reflexology.
The Swansea Seed Fund was set up by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Education to nurture young people aged 16-25 as they develop their ideas from the early stages right through to – potentially - successful business start-ups.
“The main aims of the SEED Fund are to improve the prospects of local young people and to give them the confidence to ‘go for it’,” says Sue Poole, Enterprise Manager at Gower College Swansea. “We have already helped eight entrepreneurs over the space of just six months and are expecting more applications in the New Year.”
“Of course, without the support of the local businesses that give up their time and also fund these bursaries, these young people would not be able to take the next step into self-employment. So we are enormously grateful to these organisations and employers for giving a helping hand to the future SME’s of Swansea.”
Young people who are interested in applying for the Seed Fund, or any businesses that would like to learn more about how they can help the next generation, can apply through the web site www.swanseaseedfund.com
Photos: Chris Costello