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Purpose Driven Business – how to start and build a business with purpose


    In support of the 15th anniversary of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and their annual Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) the Business & IP Centre will be hosting Purpose Driven Business, to celebrate the GEW 2022 theme of Grow With Purpose.

    Our panel of speakers, representing a range of purpose-led businesses, will come together to share their expertise and business stories. They’ll question approaches from the past, challenge the status quo of today and discuss how all of these learnings can help build more resilient and focused businesses. We will discuss why having a ‘purpose’ is central to every start-up and how honing in on yours will help to drive growth and ensure your business thrives in the current climate.

    About our panel:

    • Dr Liz Jackson MBE of BCMS is a motivational speaker and partially sighted business owner supporting the business community
    • Jayni Gudka is the CEO of Unseen Tours, a provider of walking tours by formerly homeless guides who know the streets intimately and will show you the real London
    • Tasha Thompson is the founder Black Girls Do Run UK. Her business is changing the perception of running, and creating a safe space for black women in the health and fitness community
    • Valerie Brandes of Jacaranda Books. Jacaranda books is a publishing company giving visibility for black and brown authors
    • Moderated by Eni Timi Biu of Create Your Table

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BIPC North East: Developing a sustainable/green brand


This session is perfect for start-ups who need to develop and communicate green credentials and sustainability effectively.

Andy will detail how businesses can develop and use green credentials. He'll present ideas around how to embed green thinking into your organisation's core idea, as well as providing general tips on how to communicate green credentials through marketing and communication material. He'll also share examples from other organisations that are leading with sustainability.

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to communicate green credentials to create a competitive advantage.

Purpose Driven Business – how to start and build a business with purpose


In support of the 15th anniversary of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and their annual Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) the Business & IP Centre will be hosting Purpose Driven Business, to celebrate the GEW 2022 theme of Grow With Purpose.

Our panel of speakers, representing a range of purpose-led businesses, will come together to share their expertise and business stories. They’ll question approaches from the past, challenge the status quo of today and discuss how all of these learnings can help build more resilient and focused businesses. We will discuss why having a ‘purpose’ is central to every start-up and how honing in on yours will help to drive growth and ensure your business thrives in the current climate.

About our panel:

Dr Liz Jackson MBE of BCMS is a motivational speaker and partially sighted business owner supporting the business communityJayni Gudka is the CEO of Unseen Tours, a provider of walking tours by formerly homeless guides who know the streets intimately and will show you the real LondonTasha Thompson is the founder Black Girls Do Run UK. Her business is changing the perception of running, and creating a safe space for black women in the health and fitness communityValerie Brandes of Jacaranda Books. Jacaranda books is a publishing company giving visibility for black and brown authorsModerated by Eni Timi Biu of Create Your Table

In conversation with Irene Agbontaen, founder of TTYA London

In this, the second of our two Inspiring Entrepreneurs interviews on Start-up Day, we meet and hear from Irene Agbontaen, founder of fashion brand TTYA London, in conversation with Anis Qizilbash.

Irene’s company TTYA - or Taller Than Your Average - is a fashion apparel brand for taller women, supplying a market that Irene - standing at 5’11’’ - knew was underserviced. TTYA launched in Selfridge’s in 2013, becoming their first tall-specific brand. TTYA has gone on to have a home in Barneys New York and was the first pioneering tall brand to debut on ASOS.com. Irene’s designs have been worn by major celebrities.

In this discussion Irene will be speaking about how she has navigated the industry and gone on to secure contracts with major stockists whilst keeping a very strong commitment to herself, her beliefs about inclusivity and to the essence of the business. There will also be lots of practical advice about how to truly be the face and voice of your brand, and how social media, e-commerce, endorsements and collaborations are all just as much a part of modern businesses as much as planning, accounting and sales.

Whether you are starting up in fashion, or another sector, you may find yourself being expected to change and conform to fit in with the establishment. Irene talks powerfully about her inner voice to resist this and how that, ultimately, has strengthened the business. For TTYA’s first catwalk show at Lagos Fashion Week in 2018 it was a team comprised solely of women of colour that went with her.

We all face a very challenging retail landscape in the light of the pandemic and changes in consumer spending. We’ll talk to Irene about how TTYA has faced this past year and what the future holds. Having played just a small role in TTYA’s story at the beginning, as Irene accessed stats on consumers from our market research databases to help progress her business, the BIPC is so happy to work with Irene again to inspire you as you begin your business now.

Getting started with the latest trends in the UK market

At the moment there are, of course, huge doubts about what the future holds. But that doesn’t stop us being able to assess the current business market to explore new trends and behaviours - insights that could help your business flourish, even in the most uncertain of times.

Mintel is the world's leading market intelligence agency. Our guest presenter, Jack Duckett, Mintel’s Consumer Lifestyles Analyst, will distil the biggest trends, especially in today’s changing climate. In these recent times, Mintel has been helping their clients understand the impact of COVID-19 on their markets. Tune in on Start-up Day to hear about the effects on consumer behaviours and how key markets will fare over the next few years, including food and drink, beauty, leisure and more.

The Mintel sector reports can be accessed for free in our National Network of Business & IP Centres, based in libraries around the UK. Before you start exploring the databases yourself, this is your guide to figuring out what the stats actually say.

Understanding these trends gives valuable insights for new businesses looking to stay relevant in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace. Don’t start your business without this insider guide to understanding and capitalising on the key UK business trends today.

Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Fireside Chat with Sara Davies MBE


Join us for an inspirational evening with renowned business mogul and TV Dragon, Sara Davies MBE, Founder and Creative Director of Crafter’s Companion. Sara founded her business from her university bedroom and forged her way through the world of business – and, in her own words, she’s never done anything by halves!

Her drive, determination and inspiration have paved her way to success. She’s passionate about sharing the hard-earned knowledge, expertise and insights that she’s picked up along the way, and keeping the door of opportunity wide open for others keen to turn their dreams into a reality.

This fireside chat will be hosted by TV presenter, lawyer and Business Coach, Denise Nurse.

Michael Cashman

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