 A
number of times a year we hire a big space and put on a massive
showcase of all the work everyone in the project has done!
We invite loads of people along who can help us promote our
ideas and make our dreams a little closer to reality. Anyone
who wants a stall to show their products or services can have
one, to let everyone see exactly what they’ve achieved.
If you want to give a demonstration of a skill or talent you
have that’s great, you can do it!
 We
invite young business people who have been successful to come
and talk about how they did it, what things to look out for,
where and who are the right people to approach to get help
from etc. These events are great opportunities to network
with other people and pick up some great innovative business
ideas.
So come along to our next FREE event and
enjoy the live music, free food and drinks!!
Thursday 31st May 2007 - South Thames College
Hey everyone! The Launchpad team had another successful event on the 31st May 2007 at South Thames College. We had a great line up of guest appearances including Hannah Kingaby founder of AVIT CLOTHING, Mark Anderson founder of Popstar Academy & Dare Media, Mr Midas from the hit channel 4 TV show “Musicool” and one of the best Hip hop Street dancers “Peridot”.
The event was a networking theme and as usual we had some fantastic stalls run by young people showcasing their businesses. We also had stalls ran by agencies, inspirational guest speakers and great performances. The stalls that were present was Playvybze, Dare Media, Arfican Caribbean Business Network, GLE One London, Marmoset Media, AVIT Clothing, Gun Powder Media, Dare Media, Youth Enterprise, Passage Training, Cauldron and make your Mark Campaign
The day began at 15:00 and started of with light networking and beverages followed by guest speakers Hannah Kingaby and Mark Anderson.
Hannah spoke about her successful business Avit clothing, which began in 2000 running club nights in Nottingham and Brighton, supporting local artists on the drum n bass, hip hop and break beat scene. Following this early success, Avit (now based in London) has started a clothing line that promotes illustrators, street artists and graffiti writers.
Mark Anderson a successful entrepreneur who went on the Launchpad programme many years ago spoke about the help he received from Launchpad and the success of his two companies Dare Media and Popstar Academy. Dare Media is a new, marketing and public relations boutique, focusing on promotion, events and relationship management for companies and brands. Popstar Academy began in 2005 and it was created to help young people to pursue a career in music and entertainment. They offer industry advice, mentoring and talent shows.
Also we gave young people an opportunity to take part in Business Launchpad Dragons Den competition!!
Tamara Rahjah who wanted to set up a clothing line for business women won the competition and was given some fabulous prizes, such as PDA, a laminator machine and a business leather case folder!! The business Launchpad team always offers great prizes so don’t miss out on the next event!!!
Mr Midas a young Bashment performer put on a great show singing songs from his up and coming Album!!
Also we had the pleasure of viewing the fantastic dancers “Peridot”!!
All in all the day was a great atmosphere and if you wasn’t there this time then you missed out…but don’t worry their will be plenty more events coming soon. Just keep an eye out on the website! |
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Saturday 16th December 2006 - from 11.30am - Tooting High Street
Thanks to all the people who attended the event on December 16th 2006! It was a positive and insightful atmosphere with a feel of quality. As usual we had young people showcasing their businesses and a good range of guest speakers to provide inspiration and advice to young up and coming entrepreneurs.
Guest speakers included Tim Campbell (Winner of the first BBC 2 show ‘The Apprentice’) in 2005 , Kojo (Best Male Comedian 2006) and Rasheed Ogunlaru (Life Coach). We also had Swiss (one of the UK’s top rappers/former member of the group ‘So Solid Crew’).
The day provided an opportunity for young people to get involved in the speed networking activity. This activity was run by Life coach Rasheed Ogunlaru. The activity gave a fantastic chance to practice 'short, sharp, snappy, introductions' that would in future inform and win over bank managers, potential clients, or suppliers. It also gave a great opportunity for people to meet, network and make contacts with fellow entrepreneurs.
Tim Campbell gave great praise to the young people showcasing their businesses and took time out to speak and give advice to all the young people. He also talked about the importance of working hard and striving for your dreams.
Kojo was our compare for the day and also spoke about his success in setting up his comedy empire. Check out his response below and other people who attended the event!
Kojo
"I thought the scheme put in place to encourage up and coming business minded people was an excellent idea. As someone who got involved in business by chance it was amazing to hear other success stories and experiences within the business world. Launch Pad will grow every year and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to start their own business.
"Mario Simpson
Mario writes comedy and wants to set up a media production company.
“I found the event very interesting and very rewarding. Spoke to a lot of interesting people. When will you do it again? You should do it more often has it’s like a club the first night you will not always ram it out.”
Vikkey Louise Rose
Vikkey Louise Rose found the Business Launchpad event very useful and her and a friend plan to open a nursery
“Met some people who can help start our own business, met a builder and an interior designer."
With a combination of food, drink, performances, stall holders and highly inspirational guest speakers, this event was clearly a thriving and enjoyable experience for all that attended!
Remember to check out this website to see when the next event will be happening!
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23rd April 2005 at Samaj Halls
Launchpad event held Saturday 23rd April
at Samaj Halls - best line up ever!
Our 4th businesslaunchpad event was exciting,
relaxed, inspirational, fun and entertaining - just
like all our other events. However this time the line
up was even bigger and better than ever before! Our
thanks go to Richard Blackwood, TV presenter and top
comedian, Yolannde Beckles, CEO and founder of Global
Graduates Ltd, and Gordan Mac, founder of Kiss FM. They
all shared their experiences of the world of business
with the large audience and provided some really good
tips!
There were young people showcasing their
businesses - some for the first time. This provided
a great opportunity for those interested in “doing
it for themselves” to get some great ideas and
to talk it through with other people like them who have
successfully set up their own businesses.
And all this was free! So whatever you do don’t
miss our next event – watch this space for details!
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20th November 2004 at Club Jasmin’s
Firstly, thanks to all of you that came
to the last event and we at Launchpad hope you enjoyed it
and found it useful.
As you can see below it seemed as though many did - and can’t
wait until the next one!
So what happened? The atmosphere was lively
and positively buzzing throughout the day. The event included
local young
business owner’s having promotional stalls, musical and
dance performances, a DJ and mixing workshop, and various guest
speakers. It provided a fantastic opportunity for young people
who want to explore their ideas
and hobbies to network with others who
have set up in business.
 There was an interesting variety of stalls
which proved to be very popular. Many of the entrepreneurs
on the stalls have
just started out in the exciting world of ‘self employment’,
so they could offer invaluable hands-on advice and guidance
based on their own personal experiences. These included BeauBronz,
Raw Platinuim Entertainment, Real Burger (Wandsworth Borough
Council Business Awards Winner of Winners 2004), Carneigie
Couture, Unorfodox Clothing, FirstLove Musik, Fix-Up Seminars,
Beledi Dance, ULTD Publicity, B Essential, Tano Quest, and
Mirror Emporium.
 We also had local and national youth organisations and projects
including Connexions, the Princes Trust, Shell Livewire, Wandsworth
Youth Enterprise Centre, Wandsworth Drug Awareness Project,
Young@Now, Wandsworth Borough Police and the African Foundation
for Development.
The free prize draw winner of our first
prize won a pair of tickets to the Cinema, a meal at Nando’s
and a Launchpad T-shirt.
 A video of the November event will be available.
If you want to see it call
Philip on 020 8672 2832.
These events are completely free to get
in, food and drinks are also provided free of charge – so
watch out for the next one!
Statements from those that were there…
"It was a really enjoyable day – fantastic
music, great food and people that inspired you to be the
best you
can be!"
 Abigaill Oleck-BeauBronz
"God is our Launchpad to success,
he uses angels like Launchpad to help.”
"T"-CEO Black Grape Productions
“The event organised by WYEC
and attended by young people from around the community
was a
huge success. It included a
buffet and entertainment, including live music and the best
of rap, song and dance. I hope that there are more events like
this organised by WYEC - as they get better every time!”
 Stephanie Dearden - PPC for Tooting
“I would like to thank you
for inviting me and my colleague to the Launchpad event.
I thoroughly
enjoyed it. The best yet.”
Amanda Serrant-Wandsworth Drug Awareness Project
“You did a great job, the event
was buzzing and there was lots of great networking going
on.
Keep up the good work,
I'm well proud of you guys.”
Kiran Mistry
 “I think it was a good idea cause a lot of people came
and it gave young people opportunities that they normally wouldn’t
get to know about.”
Alycia Elaina Johnson-Weekes Age 15
"I found the Business Launchpad event at Club Jazmin’s
enjoyable, entertaining and informative. There was a good variety
of stalls, exhibitors and information for young people. The
atmosphere was good and everyone I spoke to, whether directly
involved in the event or not, had something positive to say
about it."
Sarah Chowdry-Job Generator, Lifelong Learning
“To sum up the Launchpad
event I would say it was absolutely beneficial with a griminical
twist."
Fontz of Fengshui-Hosts of November’s Launchpad Event
Even bigger
and better than the last one!!! Over 150 young people
showed up on 27th March at the biggest and boldest happening
in Tooting this year. Held at Tooting Leisure Centre,
the Lola Jones Hall turned into the biggest and buzziest
young business showcase ever! Local young people swamped
the place and really showed everyone what they can do,
what they can make and what great businesses they can
set up and run.
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| How can I do it? -
Everyone had an opportunity to ask a panel of Young
Entrepreneurs in Wandsworth and small business experts
this very question! |
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Action
Jackson,
a young entrepreneur, really got things going with his fantastic
inspirational talk about the key elements of success. There
were creative demonstrations and discussions, together with
thirteen stalls ranging from fashion, jewellery and IT to a
unique self-tanning demonstration. There was live entertainment
by local up and coming talent along with music by Lightning
FM and loads of other great things happening. Don’t take
our word for it - see what those there on the day have to say…
“It was good, I just wanted to find out more… I
enjoyed the entertainment!”
Jayson Balgolin - aged 17
“I’m so glad I went.
I got lots of ideas and it was good to meet people who have
made it…. It makes me think
I can do it too.”
Jacqueline Ekwalla - aged 24
“Action Jackson really kick-started the event and I
met friends I didn’t know were coming… I’ll
definitely be coming to the next one!”
Ricky Patel - aged 27
“It was very inspiring.
I was so motivated that I went home that evening and wrote
bits
of my business plan. Me and
my
house mates were talking until 4 in the morning about
it!”
Cindia Howard – aged 29
 On
the 17th of Dec last year we held our first event at which
over 70 people turned up at the Wandsworth Youth Enterprise
Centre and almost turned the place into a rave! We were dead
stressed out organising the whole thing but at the end of the
day it was fantastic!! Eight businesses had stalls there showing
what work they’d done on their business idea – there
was creative henna painting and sculptures and loads of other
great stuff to look at and buy. Everyone who came along said
they really enjoyed it and wanted us to put on another one – and
guess what? That’s exactly what we did!
A video of the December event is available.
If you want to come and see it call Philip, Natalie or Pablo on 020 8672 2832.
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