This summer budding entrepreneurs in the making were invited to take part in Iain Scott’s Enterprise Island Challenge, in a bid to prove to more people across the city that they have the skills and talent to make money out of their hobby or passion.

The free event was simply a series of 20 minute ‘conversations’ held at the Queens Hotel and Midnight Bell by a panel of local small business entrepreneurs led by Iain Scott, author of Tortoise Walking for Beginners and all round business guru. The ‘conversations’ explored ideas, hobbies and skills that an individual may have and suggested ways that these could be used to get them on the first step of the business ladder.

Pete Hirst from Westbourne Avenue in Holbeck was one of the people to take up the challenge: “I had an idea but wasn’t really sure if I could make a business out of it. The biggest barrier to starting a business sis confidence and I think that the panel was a great way to bounce ideas off people without anyone being negative. My business isn’t started yet but now I am getting the support and advice to help me do it.”

Simon Brereton, Programme Manager of Sharing the Success who are sponsoring the challenge in association with Holbeck Urban Village explained: “We know there are many people out there who would like to turn their talents into extra income but don’t know how to go about it. This is an event we successfully ran in 2007 creating nine new businesses as a direct result of Iain’s unique approach which starts to take the fear out of starting your own business.”

From the initial panel days 30 people went on to complete a two day workshop helping them to work out a clear plan of action whether it is just to sell things as a hobby to make extra money or to set up their own business and plan for a better future.

Images by: Emma Duffield Photographic Designs