National education charity Young Enterprise is looking for business people in Stone who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with the young entrepreneurs of the future.
Sarah White, owner of Stone-based telecoms company M-Viron, is the chair for Stafford and Stone YE and has been actively involved with the charity’s business education programme for almost five years.
The business owner is mentor and business adviser to a successful group of budding entrepreneurs from Alleyne’s Academy in Stone, who have made the national final of this year’s competition, which will be held in London in July.
A champion of the business education programme, the 31-year-old is calling for fellow business owners to coach other groups of aspiring students.
She said: “It’s a fantastic programme but the charity desperately needs more business owners to volunteer. Working with these students in a business environment and supporting them to grow is incredibly rewarding. I’ve built a successful business over the last 10 years and YE have allowed me the opportunity to give something back and to inspire the next generation of businesspeople.”
With support from Sarah, the group of AS level students created their own company, Ignite, and built and marketed the Connect, a collapsible mobile and tablet stand and charger holder. The group have already won the Best Company award for Staffordshire, thanks to their innovative new product, and next month will be competing against 12 schools from across the country for the coveted title of Young Enterprise Company of the Year.
Click HERE to see our stories on their journey so far this year.
Teenager Katy Minshull, the 16-year-old managing director of Ignite, believes that having Sarah as her mentor has had a positive impact on her role within the group.
Katy explained: “Sarah’s taught me a lot about leadership, I’m confident now in using my initiative and she’s also taught me to be more headstrong, a quality that’s definitely needed in the business world. As a team, she’s encouraged us and taught us to work hard. Before we were quite hesitant, but Sarah’s helped us to become a lot more confident when decision making.”
Janis Wilcox, Stone and Stafford YE Manager, added: “Young Enterprise is all about giving the students the opportunity to excel in business, but to achieve success they need the support and guidance of people from the local business community.
“With Sarah’s support, the students have developed essential skills and a great deal of confidence to take forth into their future careers. We just need more people like Sarah, willing to give something back to the community.”
If any Staffordshire-based business people would like to become involved with Young Enterprise by becoming a business advisor, please contact Janis Wilcox at Janis.wilcox@y-e.org.uk, or call 07960055448. Alternatively, call Sarah White on 07976733322.
1 comment
Lorna Jones
I am interested in Mentorship on a 1-2-1 basis. I live in Stafford and work as a Additional Learner Support and also a Mentor.
I would like more exposure in this area of work and willing to do some voluntary work and if any updated training I would be willing to take part.
I also know of another person who is a Mentor and works in this role with young people ‘mainly boys’. Thanks