An entrepreneur has encouraged other youngsters with business brains to enter a new £300,000 award in the Midlands.
Twenty-one-year-old Jamie Dunn from Birmingham, who runs an international consultancy organisation called Spark Global Business, believes the mentoring and advice available from Baldwins accountants in their exciting new scheme is vital in helping the next generation of entrepreneurs succeed.
The winner of the Baldwins Kick Start programme will receive a £10,000 grant with £10,000 worth of mentoring and accountancy advice and two runners-up will be given £5,000 of mentoring and accountancy advice which will be presented annually for ten years.
Jamie said it is often in the second or third year when new businesses struggle but the advice and backing given by Baldwins Kick Start would be instrumental in preventing that happening.
“It is not just because of cash flow that businesses fail but because they don’t have the support around them to continue their growth,” he said.
“Businesses need to have consistent support and the mentoring the Baldwins Kick Start programme will provide is fantastic because that is just what young businessmen and women need and I think that is fantastic. It is that kind of back-up from experienced professionals which will ensure businesses will succeed.
“I have offered my own support to the campaign and will provide business support and mentors as well as Baldwins.”
Jamie showed his entrepreneurial spirit as a 12-year-old when he sold unwanted items at school and car boot sales and he now works with Governments and educational organisations around the world developing youth entrepreneurship eco-systems through his organisation, Spark Global Business, which has offices in America, South Africa and Birmingham.
He will be the guest speaker when the winner of Baldwins Kick Start 2013 is revealed at a presentation evening at Villa Park on Thursday, November 21.
“It is great Baldwins are giving something back to the business community because this is not just a one-off – it is a commitment of £300,000 over the next ten years,” Jamie added.
“The company is committed to this both financially and from a personnel perspective for a long time and that is heartening to see.”
David Baldwin, a partner at Baldwins accountants, said the scheme had been set-up for young entrepreneurs who have a good idea and would like to start their own business but need that financial Kick Start to get up and running.
He said: “Baldwins Kick Start is open to 18-25-year-olds who have the enthusiasm and drive to back their idea to make a success of their business and Jamie would have been a perfect candidate if he hadn’t already got his successful business off the ground!
“Jamie’s passion and knowledge of business shines through and his talk at the awards dinner is certain to be inspirational to the audience.
“The initial response to the launch of Baldwins Kick Start has been extremely positive and we are looking forward to going through each business plan when the scheme closes for this year on September 30.”
An online form to enter Baldwins Kick Start along with the terms and conditions and details of how to submit applications and business plans is available at www.baldwinsaccountants.co.uk