Four young people who received help from the Isle Of Wight Chamber Of Commerce and the Isle of Wight Council to start their own businesses attended a lunch with HRH Princess Beatrice on Monday 16 June.
The lunch, hosted at Osborne House by English Heritage, was organised by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight to showcase some of the Island’s young entrepreneurs and achievers.
Anna Lancaster, a personal trainer and Chris Philpott, a magician and illusionist both took part in the Islework scheme which was delivered by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce and funded by the Isle of Wight Council.
The pair were among around 40 young people who were supported through the scheme – which provided the following support:
– Training in how to set up and start your own business.
– A wage subsidy of the order of £60 a week for the first six months of their trading.
– A grant of up to £1,000 to assist with set up costs.
– Mentoring both in the set up phase and first six months of trading.
Anna, aged 23, runs her own personal training and sports massage company. She currently has around 20 clients who train up to three times per week. She comments: “I had worked in the fitness industry since I was 16, but the Islework scheme gave me the confidence to take the important step of setting up my own business.”
Chris, aged 21, who took the opportunity to show off his magician’s skills to guests at the lunch, said: “My interest in magic started when I was five after being given a magic set by my parents. I studied at the Isle of Wight College before embarking on setting up my own company, Chris Illusions Magical Theatre Co.
“The scheme gave me the financial support I needed to get started, as well as mentoring which helped me to improve the skills that are needed to make a business a success.”
Chris performs around Britain and abroad, notably performing at the London Palladium and at venues in Canada.
Raven Lyness, setting up a music agency and Jade Anderson, an online fashion designer, were also at the lunch with Princess Beatrice. They have been supported through a joint project organised by the Isle of Wight Council and Shanklin Rotary Club.
The scheme, called GetStarted, was the idea of Shanklin Rotary Club who approached the council with an offer of sharing their business experience by providing mentors to young entrepreneurs. The project is jointly funded by the two organisations which has so far supported four young people with training, start up grant and wage subsidy.
Raven, aged 22, is in the process of setting up an online music agency called Touchwire that will specialise in finding and funding live music opportunities for independent musicians. After gaining a degree in music journalism, Raven is looking forward to the challenge of starting her own business, “The help I’m receiving through GetStarted is invaluable, I’m really excited about launching my new business later this year.”
Jade, aged 20, plans to launch her own online fashion retail company soon. “It was a privilege to meet Princess Beatrice and talk to her about my passion for fashion. It was great to meet other people at the event who have realised their dreams of starting their own businesses.”
Councillor Ian Stephens, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It is so important that we support our young people, which is why the council is continuing to invest in young Islanders through schemes like this. We hope to be able to announce details of a new scheme to support young people into work very soon.
“It was a great opportunity for these young people to meet with Princess Beatrice and share their success stories which I hope will inspire more young people to pursue their ambitions of starting their own businesses.”
From left to right:
Jade Anderson, Raven Lyness, Anna Lancaster and Chris Philpott.
Photo: Michael Dunkason.
