Forward’s ‘Dragons’ Den’ event showcases exciting entrepreneurial talent developed through our Employability Services
We organised a special one-off event, The Forward Dragons’ Den, for entrepreneurs that have recently been supported by our Enterprise Team.
Kindly hosted by The Financial Times, and supported by Jacqui Dobson (Diversity and Inclusion Partner at The Financial Times), the event provided a wonderful opportunity for six impressive entrepreneurs with new business or social enterprise ideas to pitch to our friendly panel of Dragons.
The Forward Dragons’ Den panel included:
• Mike Trace CEO The Forward Trust
• Natasha Fernandez, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Financial Times
• Mia Iwama Hastings, Director of Marketing. Minna Technologies
• Sid Singh, The Growth App and Enterprise Mentor with The Forward Trust
• Anish Shah, Executive Director, Community Affairs at Morgan Stanley
All of the entrepreneurs had one thing in common – they had all been supported by Forward’s Enterprise Coach, Stephen Anderson, and all made possible thanks to a very generous funding grant from the City Bridge Foundation.
Prior to the event, the entrepreneurs also received additional `pitching ‘ advice and guidance from Jacqui Dobson and Stephen Anderson at a face-to-face session at The Financial Times, Bracken House.
In my role as Director of Employment Services, I also took the opportunity to speak about how our work is always based on the ‘Wheel of Change’ model – so impact is about:
- 30% – effective working relationships between our staff and the client
- 15% – giving aspiration and hope
- 30% – the environment which we can shape
- 15% – the actual intervention and programme
So 45-75% of our impact is down to our hard working staff, mentors and volunteers – and this was demonstrated by the work we have been doing with these amazing and talented entrepreneurs.
We also believe success is about showing gladness to work with another (and offering no judgement), and instead showing a willingness to actively listen and engage with someone.
Our Entrepreneurs:
On the day the entrepreneurs bravely pitched their business ideas to the Dragons.
The entrepreneurs included:
- Jason Dench – presented Thredz an exciting luxury casual loungewear brand at an affordable price. Thredz is aiming to be an ever green brand with embellishment of each piece with crystals, adding an extra touch of glamour.
- Shirmon Walters – spoke about Bite Sized Genius that provides learning resources for popular Artificial Intelligence tools
- Teyfik Cem Binati – pitched a new recruitment business called Yetenek Ltd (Yetenek is Turkish for Talent).
- Jacob Green – spoke about Living”S”Lifestyle a bespoke headwear design product and also a social enterprise to promote self help, raising awareness for substance misuse
- Ian Fleming – presented Running Buddha Limited that provides a service to individuals within the UK that could benefit from personalised fitness plans, running coaching sessions, nutrition support or personal training sessions.
- Audi Johnson – pitched a new industrial cleaning company that specializes in in bio-hazardous, chemical waste and asbestos removal.
Key Insights from the Dragons
The Dragons congratulated all the entrepreneurs and provided the following reflections:
- Don’t forget people buy from people, so if relevant mention your own story and motivation for creating the business
- Be passionate and enthusiastic about your business
- Have a Plan A and Plan B
- Sweat the small stuff, know the details, financials behind your business
Panelist, Jacqui Dobson, Diversity and Inclusion Partner at The Financial Times, said:
“What a fabulous event! We greatly appreciate and enjoy working with the Forward Trust. We deeply admire the important work they undertake in transforming the lives of individuals affected by prison or addiction. Meeting the seven candidates, who are making tremendous efforts to help themselves with the support of the Forward Trust, was truly humbling. It was a real privilege to host them at the Financial Times last week. “
Panelist, Mia Iwama Hastings, Director of Marketing, Minna Technologies, said [representing her own personal views and not Minna Technologies]
“It was inspiring to be part of a Dragons’ Den panel for the Forward Trust’s event at the Financial Times. These courageous founders shared their extraordinary stories, innovative business plans and resilience in overcoming adversity. The Forward Trust’s invaluable support and mentoring have empowered them to pursue their dreams. These founders will change the world with their passion, vision and integrity.”
Winner
All our entrepreneurs did well on the day and received a Certificate of Achievement and Amazon Vouchers. However, there could be only winner and that was Audi Johnson
Watch our social media channels for profiles on each of our six entrepreneurs including our winner Audit Johnson.
We want to support more entrepreneurs and run more events like this, we need your help, so if you want to support our great work please contact us at employment@forwardtrust.org.uk or send us a message on social media