The Isle Of Wight Chamber Of Commerce’s first ever Start Your Own Business Week has been a huge success. The new initiative highlighted the importance of self-employment with a series of events aimed at encouraging and providing support for new business ideas. Island High Sheriff Claire Locke spoke at events throughout the week and today (Friday) she told students at the Isle Of Wight College about the challenges and rewards of running your own business.
“It’s been a brilliant week,” said Claire. “The Chamber Of Commerce and I have been spreading the word about how you can get help, support and funding to start your own business. I’m passionate about business. In 1995 I founded the fashion brand Artigiano here on the Island, literally at the kitchen table, and we grew the company to a £20 million turnover, employing almost 200 people. That showed me that the Isle Of Wight is not a barrier to business. Being the boss means you are in control of your own destiny and there is a lot of support out there now, particularly from the Isle Of Wight Chamber Of Commerce and the Isle Of Wight Lottery.”
The workshop also featured chef Robert Thompson, from The George in Yarmouth, who said:
“I was lucky because I knew that I wanted to cook. I’d been in the kitchen since I was thirteen and at sixteen I started a three year catering course in Slough but after a year I went to work for the Michelin starred chef John Burton-Race. The most important thing I learned there is for my team to all shake hands at the beginning and at the end of the day, regardless of what went on in the kitchen. There’s no place for shouting or bullying in my kitchen. I was lucky and I became a head chef with a Michelin star at the age of 23 because Germain Schwab allowed me to grow as part of his team. You do have to be determined and work very hard.”
Tom Colwill from the Crossfit Valentis gym in Cowes has recently opened his first business, with the support of a loan from the Isle Of Wight Lottery. He explained about his journey, from a background in athletics, teaching and medal-bearing at the Olympics to being his own boss,“I love what I do and I spend six hours a day coaching people to get healthier and to move better. Then I’ll spend up to ten hours looking after the business, on email, making phonecalls, sorting out money and insurance, things like that. Being your own boss isn’t the fairytale that you might think it is. I’ve learnt to work “on” my business, not “in” my business. We’re the first Crossfit gym and Olympic weightlifting gym on the Isle Of Wight. I want to grow the business and my plan is to offer new services and take on more coaches.”
Chamber Of Commerce Chief Executive Kevin Smith told the students:
“You are the future of the Isle Of Wight economy and massively important to us. There are 6,000 business on the Island with 58,000 employees so there’s a lot of opportunity out there. Employers want more than just academic skills – they want to see keen, enthusiastic young people who will be an asset to their organisation.”
Marcus Mason, Policy Manager for Employment and Skills at the British Chambers Of Commerce said:
“It’s my first time on the Isle of Wight. At the BCC we want to connect more businesses to schools and colleges, giving people access to role models, just like at the event today which was really good. Today we heard some inspirational stories about setting up businesses and supporting the local economy, creating jobs for young people on the Isle of Wight. Youth unemployment is a massive focus area for the British Chambers Of Commerce and we want to help more young people with the transition from education to the workplace.”
