BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism, 2008
Entrepreneurial graduate Fae Perkins graduated in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in broadcast journalism but has since launched a successful business, winning her a number of awards.
Fae has been named Young Business Person 2010, has won a business consultancy package worth £1,000 and been named Recent Graduate of 2010 at the Federation of Small Businesses regional awards for the East Midlands.
Fae is no stranger to success having landed the prize of Sky News’s ‘Reach for the Sky’ Young Journalist of the Year for the south-east when she was still a second-year student in 2006.
Fae, now based in Northamptonshire has established Bond Hair, which specialises in hair extensions for customers based across the midlands and the south-east.
Enterprising Fae has also just set up a new company, Wags Hair Extensions Limited, a franchise which will employ women initially in Birmingham, Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucester with plans to grow three franchises every six months extending across the UK to Belfast, Glasgow and Cardiff.
“My journalism background has helped me with things relating to PR and general communications,” said Fae. “Journalism in general makes you far less naive and open to the harsh realities of business and the world at large.”
Fae has also undertaken business modules at the University of Gloucestershire which she says were invaluable. The entrepreneurial spirit is in the genes; Fae’s father is also an entrepreneur and has always been at the end of the phone to offer advice.
And Fae’s advice to those wanting to set up on their own?
“Work hard and be motivated, stay organised from day one, keep records and accounts. Most of all have self belief. If you don’t believe in your ability to succeed then why would anyone else? If you can believe you can make it big, you will!”