Hear how to Make it BiG as an Entrepreneur from BBC Dragons Den Entrepreneur and Guests

Making it BiG in Entrepreneurship is an exciting networking event to meet and connect with ambitious  professionals, entrepreneurs and start ups. Taking place on Thursday 31^st March at the Barclays Accelerator from 6.30pm – 9.30pm guests can hear inspiring practical talks from Business Leaders such as BBC Dragons Winner Caner Veli Founder of Liquiproof, Disrupts Magazine Co-Founders Bird Lovegod and Katia Lang as well as B.O.K Motivate Inspirational Speaker. Making it BiG in Entrepreneurship will be hosted by TedEx Speaker and presenter Illy Sebah, who is also a Psychologist and PhD researcher, By attending guests will get advice on how to launch and grow a business and motivation to keep working on your dreams in challenging times.

The monthly event hosted by TNBT Media provides the opportunity for  entrepreneurs to learn

• ·         How to generate income from your passion
• ·         How to pitch to journalists and magazines
• ·         Preparing your business to be investment ready
• ·         How to perfect your pitch
• ·         How to be consistent and keep motivated

In the spirit of Easter there will be prizes, giveaways, interactive games and refreshments.  Prizes up for grabs include a 2 for 1 Voucher at Chuku’s Nigerian Tapas Lounge, Tickets into the Working Class to Business Class Book Launch on April 13^th and other goodies.  There will also be a fashion presentation from emerging fashion label LVCX and an interview from Chuku’s Co- Founders Emeka Frederick and Ifeyinwa on their start up journey.

Making it Big in Entrepreneurship March takes place at

69 -89 Mile End Road E1 4TT

2inspire Network can enjoy a 40%  discount on Standard tickets by registering here http://bit.ly/mibspr16

Stay updated with Making it BiG in Entrepreneurship Events by following TNBT Media on social media

Twitter: @TNBTMedia

Instagram: TNBTMedia

Linkedin: TNBTMedia

Facebook: Makingitbigevents

2inspire Network Profile Interview: Doreen Thompson-Addo, Programme Manager at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust

Doreen Thompson-Addo is the Programme Manager at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, she has worked at the trust for 4 years and has the responsibility of managing a team that delivers community, youth, school and graduate programmes across London.

Doreen started her career in New York City, spending a year on the Mountbatten Internship programme and working for a leading events management company.  For the past 10 years she has worked in the charity sector as a Project Manager with a focus on volunteer management, corporate social responsibility and youth talent development. She has had the privilege of delivering projects and workshops in countries such as Cuba, Greece, Italy and Turkey and has worked with a variety of companies including Disney, L'Oreal, JP Morgan and the BBC.

Outside of work she continues to mentor young people, provides advice to 2 start-up charities and also works for the family business (events decorations).  Below is an interveiw that gives insight on Doreen, her work at the Trust and her inspirations.

1/ Please tell us what is a typical working day for you?

As Programme Manager at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust my role involves managing a variety of exciting projects that transform the lives of young people and the wider community. Managing projects means that no 2 days are ever the same but a typical day may include catching up with my team to find out how they are progressing with meeting project targets, responding to important emails and phone calls, communicating any good news and case studies on our social media platform and giving presentations in schools and the wider community about the work of the Trust.

2/ What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment at work to date?

One of my greatest accomplishments was developing the Social Enterprise arm of the Hammersmith and Fulham Volunteer Centre called Works 4 U (where I was employed from 2004 to 2010). The organisation wanted to encourage more corporate businesses to volunteer in the communities where they work and so I spent 2 years building relationships with corporate employers and developing a scheme where their employees can donate their time and skills to their local community. Today, Works 4 U is a thriving Social Enterprise with clients such as Disney, Coca Cola, Starbucks, Ikea and L’Oreal.

3/ What has been your biggest challenge at work so far?

The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is a charity and our income is generated from a number of different sources. The funding environment for many charities is a big challenge and it is important that we continue to think creatively and innovatively about how income is generated and spent. Like any business, financial management is very important and we want to continue to make sure that we generate income so that we can continue to support young people across the country to achieve their goals and aspirations. However, I always see challenges as an opportunity to learn something new and to think of creative ways in which a solution can be found.

4/What are your future plans for the Trust?

We are very ambitious at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and over the next few years we want to see continued growth in the work we do for young people as well as the wider community. We also want to see more people using the Stephen Lawrence Centre in Deptford where we have excellent facilities. As we are a national charity it is also our goal to reach out to young people beyond London and maybe even the world!

5/If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would have had a professional mentor at a young age. I did not have a mentor in school or university but it is important to have a role model in your life who can help you achieve your career aspirations. Even if you don’t know what you want to do as a career, having a role model/mentor can really help you to navigate the many opportunities that are out there.

6/ What’s the best compliment you could receive at work?

I am very happy when someone tells me that a project or event that I have managed has had a positive impact in their life. For me it really is about making a difference in the lives of people and if I can achieve that then it’s a great compliment.

7/ Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

We have all been blessed with natural gifts and abilities and women should have the opportunity to use the skills and talents that they have, as they have so much to offer. Many women still feel that they cannot achieve their dreams for a number of different reasons and it’s important that we can encourage them and lead them to fulfil their goals and ambitions. This does not mean that following your dreams will be easy, but it is about saying that if you have a dream as a woman you shouldn’t feel that it cannot be achieved.

8/ What advice would you give to somebody who wants to work in your field?

Working in the Charity/Voluntary sector can be very rewarding and many people say they get high levels of work satisfaction working for a charity.  One piece of advice I would give to someone interested in working in the field of Project Management (other than finding a mentor – which I talked about earlier) is to gain some volunteering/work experience.  I got my first job in the sector because I had volunteered as a Youth Worker in my local church for 2 years.  During my time as  a volunteer I learnt about fundraising, organising youth activities, managing teams, developing proposals and partnership working.  This helped me to get my first job in the charity sector as a Youth Project Officer. There are lots of volunteering opportunities out there, ranging from ones where you don’t need much experience to ones where specific skill are needed. A good website to go to for volunteering opportunities is www.do-it.org.uk. 

9/What or who inspires you, and why?

I am inspired by businesses who not only operate for profit but also have a goal of making a difference in society. Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming more important in business and I look up to business leaders who incorporate social responsibility in their daily operations. There are many businesses today tackling important issues around education, health and poverty and that really does inspire me.

10/What is your favourite inspirational quote?

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” - Lao Tzu . I love this quote because many times we dream of journeys we want to take, be it a career journey, relationship journey or personal journey. There are all sorts of excuses and reasons we can give for not starting the journey but if you just start by taking that first step, who knows where it could lead you!

Find out more about the work of the Stephen Lawrence Trust:

Website:www.stephenlawrence.org.uk
Facebook:www.facebook.com/stephenlawrencecharitabletrust
Twitter: www.twitter.com/S_LawrenceTrust

2Inspire Network Profile: Event Planner and Manager Charley Jai

Former actress turned Event Planner and Manager, Charley once managed MonologueSlam UK (London) produced by TriForce Promotions where she introduced the ‘artist performance slot’ for musicians, dancers and other such performers to showcase their skills in a segment much for the entertainment of the audience, which would also serve to have the artist seen by professional industry persons. Charley booked a variety of talents for this slot including Duane Lamonte (from UK vocal harmony group Brick City), Rapper Luc Skyz, street dance crew Boadicea and British comedian Jason Patterson. Charley has co-coordinated events for many years and has worked alongside the likes of NLPR UK Ltd (www.nlpruk.com) and Deal with D.V. www.dealwithdv.co.uk).  Read more about her incredible journey below.

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

Usually starting at 5am, as I freelance within various fields of media and entertainment, nothing is ever really typical about my day. Emails are checked and priorities a set in the shape of a check-list. After a strong coffee I then begin completing the tasks set and these can be anything from having to carry out research for journalism or drafting the structure for a segment of my online show. I try to finish my day by 7pm so that I can get a decent amount of shut-eye too however, that is the one thing I rarely achieve.

What made you want to work in media and entertainment and what steps did you take to start operating freelance in these fields?

As a youngster I was surrounded by a very creative family and also friends who inevitably had me take an interest. While at Secondary School I threw myself into my drama and English lessons where I developed performance and written skills. Once I realised my passions I then spoke with my drama teacher about how I could develop and she mentioned Theatre Royal which was local to the school. I later auditioned for their youth theatre and was given a place. I was just 13 or 14 when I joined. I went on to use my gift-of-the-gab to talk to anyone and everyone I met while at Theatre Royal and began to build my network; contacts.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment within media and entertainment to date?

Hmm.. I’d like to think the greatest is yet to come to be honest. I have achieved so much and mostly by putting myself forward through a fear of not knowing what may or may not be in my career. Landing my own radio show was huge as I had never hosted radio before, presenting on-screen for the first time was definitely a big deal, launching my very own initiative, Change the Stereo which has produced short film ‘Pass the Comb’ (shown on the community TV channel in April 2014) had a huge impact on me too! So, I cannot pinpoint one thing and I quite like that actually. I feel incredibly blessed to have reached certain goals especially where I have been able to share the success of such with others.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

Trust! I do not find it easy to trust people at all and so, I tend to do a lot on my own. This can be both a good thing and something which holds you back. The sense of fulfillment from having accomplished a goal through your own efforts is just amazing however; there are times where the process can be made so much shorter and far more enjoyable with others on board. It’s a difficult one for me but, I believe I’m getting better. Although incredibly small, I have put together a team for my new online show. (www.youtube.com/TheRealTalkTVSeries)

What are your future plans in media and entertainment?

To be the absolute best I can be at every opportunity I am blessed with and in doing so to continue providing opportunities for others.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

 Absolutely nothing because, I fully believe that every choice and action I have made (right or wrong) has led me to the very place I’m at today for which I am incredibly grateful.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

For me, it is important to inspire everyone irrespective of their gender or background because, such is what motivates us to go out there and pursue our goals with confidence and self belief. I do not believe young women are any more in need of that than the more mature woman or boys and men. 

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

Research absolutely everything, gain complete understanding of your chosen area, network like it’s your full time job, be humble, stay focus, surround yourself with positively driven individuals, eat three healthy meals a day, try to get a decent amount of sleep each night and finally, go with your own instincts but be smart with the choices you make!

What or who inspires you in business and why?

Fear of failure is my drive to be honest and anyone who is succeeding, especially those who show humility and look to help others achieve.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

This is one of my very own but, I do love it (ha-ha): Let nothing and nobody stop you from boldly walking through any door of your choice because, that might just be the very step which will see you potentially achieve your biggest goal.

@msCJ80 www.facebook.com/MsCJaiCreative www.charleyjai-realtalk.blogspot.co.uk 
www.youtube.com/TheRealTalkTVSeries

Sponsored Blog Post: Brides of Culture’s Multicultural Bridal Exhibition

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The 2Inspire Network celebrates its 1st Anniversary & fundraises for the 2inspire Academy

Saturday 8th June saw the celebration of the 2inspire Network 1st Anniversary party and fund-raising event take place at the Anise Bar in Liverpool Street.

2inspire Network was founded on 25th May 2012 and is a business dedicated to providing a platform of events, social media & training that empowers & inspire women particularly in business. A main objective of the business is to support women in enterprise and to assist them to enhance their socio-economic power. The company was founded as a result of the inspiration and support founder Hazel Chawapiwa received from her family & friends network, particularly during a difficult time in her life.


"Although the 2inspire Network is a new venture I wanted to mark the 1st year anniversary as I really wanted to celebrate the achievements of the organisation in such a short space of time, to acknowledge one of the inspirations behind the start up of the Network, (which is my mother whose birthday it was that week) and also to thank the women who have supported me and been a part of the 2inspire Network journey. It was not only a lovely celebration but a great chance to network and provided a fantastic platform for the performers to showcase their talents." - Hazel Chawapiwa

The event was also a fundraising event for the 2inspire Academy who are aiming to run a project in summer 2013 called "Inspire the youth" this is a project which intends to run workshops for 16-24 years olds in the following areas:

• Enterprise skills
• Multimedia
• Music technology
• CV writing/Interview skills

The 2inspire Academy was formed in March 2013 and is a a personal development & life-skills programme for young men & women aged 16-24. The academy was set up to address negative stereotypical images of young people and present them with additional life skills and role models. The aim of the academy is to guide and support young people so that they can make informed decisions, increase their skills and achieve personal targets to become confident active citizens within their communities. A steering group was formed for the Academy which consists of 8 16-24 year olds who guide the decision making of the Academy. The steering group members assisted in the planning and execution of the event and 5 of them were in attendance at the event. The Academy ambassador Charley Jai was also present and was instrumental in sourcing some of the amazing raffle prizes which included donations from Amor Magazine, Anise Kitchen, Mr Gorgeous, Bquav Photography, Dazzling Little Delights, Smomo, Diva's Addiction, Lorna Stewart, Deja Vu radio etc

It was a fun packed event and was hosted by inspirational speaker Usha Oliver of Dare to Dream.

The event highlights were:

The inspirational talks from guest speakers: Lorna Stewart (Black 100+), Carl Thompson (Self Made Me) Margaret Aberdeen (Life after Domestic Violence).

Lorna Stewart (Black 100+)

Carl Thompson (Self Made Me)

Margaret Aberdeen (Life After Domestic violence)

Spoken word performances from Cezanne Poetess and Patricia Foster.

Cezanne Poetess

Patricia Foster

Musical entertainment from artists: Nyrai Kizzy/ Amen noire, Joshua, Jen Titi-lola Da Sweetnezz, Rebecca , Linda E and Candice Chenade.

Nyrai Kizzy/ Amen Noire

Joshua

Candice Chenade

The event has now allowed the Academy to raise £464 towards their goal and was a great opportunity for the Academy message to be shared and get the support and encouragement from attendees. The Academy steering group will be holding their own fundraising event targeted at young people to help them reach their target in the summer. Please see link with information about the 2inspire Academy and possible ways you may be able to help them. http://www.2inspirenetwork.com/2inspireAcademy



A big thank you must go out to the sponsors of the event: Dazzling Little Delights, Smomo, Organo Coffee and Smomo:

 
More pictures from the event can be found on following link: 

https://plus.google.com/photos/111854041199502473986/albums/5891220528857886673?authkey=CN_DpseNv9bBBA

Photographs taken by Brian Quavs - bquavs@gmail.com

2Inspire Network Business Profile: Simply Kayo

In this business profile we meet Fikayo Giwa, founder of Simply Kayo a luxury events planning business. Read about her fantastic business journey and what inspired her to start her business.


Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?
My days are pretty varied. I start off by checking my emails which usually leads me online checking out blogs, various websites and of course twitter. I prefer to do research and more detail oriented work during the day and then brainstorming concepts and creative things in the evening.


What made you start Simply Kayo and how did you get started?
I discovered that I was interested in events during University as president of the African Caribbean society and also planning various family weddings and showers. At the time I was too scared to turn my passion into a reality. It took almost 4 years before I had the nudging that I could not ignore, then a friend asked me to plan her wedding and Simply kayo was officially born.


What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?
That’s a tough one. Simply kayo is still young so I look forward to great business success in the future, however I am very proud of every event that we work on. I feel particularly proud when clients and guests give us great feedback. It makes everything worth it.


What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?
My first event was a steep learning curve because it was fairly big with lots of details. But it was thoroughly enjoyable because I learned so much in that space of time. I think it is also challenging learning not to take some things too personally and basically developing a thick skin. It’s essential in business and I am still working on that.
What are your future plans for the business?
I want to continue planning and coordinating great events for great people. I am interested in corporate events, so I’d like to work on these in the future. I get ideas all the time, most of which I can’t share so prematurely, but definitely watch this space.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would have interned with an established and successful event planner prior to officially starting Simply Kayo.



Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?
I am fortunate enough to have a group of female friends full of entrepreneurs or ‘boss ladies’ as we fondly call ourselves. It is the most wonderful thing when you have like-minded women you can brainstorm with, offload to and also advise. I am particularly passionate about inspiring and educating young girls so that they can aspire for more and believe that they are capable of greatness. It is even better whilst on your journey to have other women rooting for you the whole way.


What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?
Know your craft! Learn as much as you can about the industry, your client group and stay up to date with new trends and ideas.



What or who inspires you in business and why?
My mother inspires me. She has always been entrepreneurial and I think that’s

where I got the business bug. From a young age I have always seen my mum come up with business ideas (big and small) and turn them into successes. Because of my mother I have never doubted that I could achieve anything I set my mind to, with God and with hard work.



What is your favourite inspirational quote?
There are too many to choose from but one thing that is key for me is maintaining the right attitude so I like, “I've got nothing to do today but smile.” ― Simon and Garfunkel





Contact Details
Fikayo Giwa

info@simplykayo.com

UK - 020 3239 0506

Nigeria - 0809 244 8199

@SimplyKayo

www.facebook.com/simplykayo

www.pinterest.com/simplykayo