Five new Gloucester business owners crowned winners of innovative support initiative

Five entrepreneurs from Gloucester have won awards from an innovative business support programme launched by University of Gloucestershire in partnership with Gloucester City Council.

Emerging talent aged 18 to 30 presented their plans at the Do Your Thing! Your Idea, Your Way Business Showcase at City Campus, in a bid to secure up to £2,000 in financial support to help get their businesses up and running.

After a public vote and a detailed assessment and private vote by a panel of business professionals, the winners of the Gloucester-focused competition – funded by Gloucester City Council – were announced as:

• Leanne Collins: Ivy and Oak Accreditation, providing structured training and assessment for businesses
• Shaylah Beresford: Good News Glos!, a news magazine that will share uplifting stories from around Gloucestershire, including small businesses and the community
• Sophie Murray-Tuffin: Soliese, offering personalised handmade jewellery for meaningful gifting
• James Petts: Proud Phoenix Club, a mental strength movement inspiring resilience, belief and courage through clothing
• Hannah Meek: HumAIn, a human-centred AI consultancy supporting charities, not-for-profits, and mission-driven organisations

The Do Your Thing! Your Idea, Your Way Business Showcase also featured opportunities for networking with local businesses, partners and entrepreneurs.

Alex Cottrell, Head of External Relationships at the University, said: “It has been a real privilege for the University to be involved in this excellent programme where we can recognise and support incredible emerging talent in Gloucester.

“Congratulations to the winners on their well-deserved awards, we very much look forward to seeing their businesses grow over the coming year.

“Very well done also to everyone who took part; the range of business ideas and creativity shown were really quite special. We look forward to continuing to support all Gloucester’s emerging entrepreneurs through our Growth Hub support programme along with the wide network of business support services available throughout the county.”

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “The Do Your Thing Awards Scheme has been a great mechanism to celebrate enterprise in Gloucester, and target financial support towards young emerging business talent.  

“The five winners presented outstanding proposals, and each has the potential to develop into a thriving successful enterprise. Gloucester City Council has been proud to direct some of its UK Shared Prosperity Fund towards the excellent initiative, working alongside University of Gloucestershire.”

The award winners were interviewed after the Do Your Thing! Your Idea, Your Way Business Showcase about how the competition has helped them.

Question:

What impact has this competition had on you and your business?

Leanne Collins, Ivy and Oak Accreditation: “It has already opened up opportunities. I’ve started connecting with a lot of parents in and around Gloucester. I’ve been accepted into some communities online, so that’s really exciting to start and get that word out there.”

How will the funding support your business in the future?

Shaylah Beresford, Good News, Glos!: “The funding has allowed me to launch my business in the next one or two months. Without this funding I was looking at months and months down the road before I could launch my business.”

What would you say to someone starting their own business like you?

Hannah Meek, HumAIn: “If you’ve got an idea and you believe in it, just put yourself out there, go for it, and then you know what is meant for you won’t pass you by and you’ll find the right people to help you along the way. You have to put yourself out there.”

James Petts, Proud Phoenix Club: “Make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. Make sure that your why is strong enough because when it gets hard, which it will, your why needs to be strong enough to get you through it.”

Sophie Murray-Tuffin, Soliese: “If you have an idea that can be turned into something, do it. I decided I wanted to share these things I was making with people, so I started making a business plan. I had no idea what I was doing but I just did it and I’m very happy that it has turned into something.”

Image: back row, left to right, Mikel Medley, Youth Support Manager at The Music Works; Beth Marsh, Project Officer, University of Gloucestershire; Charles Dodwell, Programme Mentor; Jeremy Hilton, Leader of Gloucester City Council; Alex Cottrell, Head of External Relationships, University of Gloucestershire; front row, the winning business owners