A FIRST IMPRESSION SHOULD ALWAYS BE A POSITIVE IMPRESSION.

Kathryn Clarke 27, a graduate of Newcastle University, has launched an exclusive Image Consultancy studio in the heart of Newcastle.

Offering a range of services to both private and corporate clients, Positive Impressions based at the retail development at the Forth Arches, opened its doors in late 2010. Since then, Kathryn has already undertaken a number of client consultations in the luxurious, purpose designed studio.

The vision behind the Positive Impressions studio is to offer customers an experience similar to spending the day at a spa or salon, where they can relax and treat themselves to something different.

Having spotted the timely opportunity to start up her own business, Kathryn used the passion she had for style and colour consultation from a young age and built her business plan around it.

Speaking of this enthusiasm, Kathryn said,

“I received a colour analysis consultation as a gift from a family friend who worked as an image consultant and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am now a firm believer that the right outfit can make you feel fantastic, look great and also give you the inner confidence to succeed in both your personal and professional life.”

Kathryn, a former recruitment consultant has been using her expertise by sharing her knowledge of business dress codes to corporate clients in addition to those wishing to find a smart image when entering the competitive jobs market. Services for corporate clients are bespoke packages designed to meet individual requirements.

Positive Impressions also offers colour analysis, style consultations for men and women, cosmetics consultations, wardrobe planning, personal shopping, corporate image and colour and style parties.

Speaking of the success of Positive Impressions to date, Kathryn said,

“I hope that I can continue to offer my services to those who would like to experience the benefits of image consultancy. Clients have visited me for many reasons, from wanting to increase their confidence, hoping to be more economical when selecting a new wardrobe, or to simply treat themselves.

“In five years time my aim is that Positive Impressions will be a business with a strong reputation for offering an excellent service and that it is well established and respected locally. “

Kathryn is a Registered Affiliate of the Federation of Image Professionals International. She is also an Accredited First Impressions Consultant and works as part of their national network of consultants.

App Proves No Risk For Security Team

A global security firm that provides close protection services to international pop groups and Russian billionaires has chosen a South Tyneside software house to create a ‘James Bond style' top security iPhone application.

Boldon-based technology experts DEF Apps designed and developed the app for WF Special Projects, which protects VIPs, diplomats, sports stars and high profile business people.

The new iPhone app gives the company's team leaders access to data that allows them to plan and control detailed client protection operations across Europe and in some of the world's most dangerous hostile environments.

A typical job might involve providing security advice, planning routes, private home security planning, armoured vehicle provision, researching the backgrounds of people the client will come into contact with, and personally escorting the client to ensure their safety.

Teams of up to eight close protection officers are managed by a team leader, who needs access to all live project data on the clients - right down to their blood group - plus the protection team's CVs, radio details and information on the kit they will be carrying.

The app stores all the necessary data and stores it on a central system so updates can be deployed from a central location to individual iPhones if necessary.

David Frame, head of DEF Apps, said: "Many of WF's clients include famous, wealthy, or politically important people. Providing security advice and protecting individuals and their families involves a lot of detailed planning work and highly sensitive data, which has to be instantly available and updatable by all the authorised users.

"The team needs world class software to assist them in their work, and the iPhone app allows for mass storage and manipulation of information on their client and anything that could affect them or the project. This is a true business app and is deployed by the team whilst protecting some of the most high profile individuals on the planet."

Shaun West, managing director of WF Special Projects and a former Para who has served in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, said: "Our role as security consultants is to provide expert risk assessment and threat avoidance, and in the event of an incident, protect our clients.

"Privacy and confidentiality are essential in our business, and this new app will give our operatives instant access to all the security review information they need to plan and control operations that keep our clients safe."

WF Special Projects have delivered operations across the world in both armed and unarmed environments, ranging from team protection for Champions League games, through to guarding the teams who burn Afghanistan's poppy fields.

Restaurant Design Company Restores Medieval Banquet Hall

A North East design company has helped to bring a medieval banquet hall back to life at a Newcastle restaurant.

Hebburn-based Restaurant Design Associates (RDA) was appointed by the award-winning Blackfriars restaurant in Newcastle to renovate a 50-seat 13th century banquet hall. The restaurant is one of the oldest dining rooms in the UK, dating back to 1239, and the hall was the celebrated venue used by King Edward III for receiving royal Scot, Edward Balliol.

RDA has helped to fully restore the hall to its original glory, and also installed necessary modern additions such as a bar, kitchen, lighting, under-floor heating and toilets, as part of the meticulous year-long project.

The bar and kitchen are both hidden behind reclaimed wooden screens, and furnishings include large oak communal dining tables and matching chairs.

Judith Addyman, director of RDA, said: "We have been delighted to work with Blackfriars on such an impressive, historically significant restoration project and we're very proud of the finished result."

Andy Hook, owner of Blackfriars, said: "We have been passionately promoting the rich tapestry of Blackfriars heritage for almost a decade now and we are very grateful for RDA's hard work and dedication to the project.

"We are incredibly excited to re-open this stunningly beautiful medieval banquet hall for the local community, school children and tourists to enjoy, and RDA helped to make this a reality."

The hall is also available for corporate events, networking groups, functions, wine tastings, educational visits, private parties, anniversaries and weddings.

RDA has a wealth of experience in the design and installation of catering and retail facilities for multi-national blue chip companies, education and NHS Trusts, contract caterers and private businesses throughout the UK.

The firm has secured several orders for this year onwards, including a number of food courts, coffee outlets, workplace restaurants and commercial kitchens at sites such as Birmingham Hospital, Peterborough Hospital and Coventry University.

For further information about RDA, visit www.rdalimited.co.uk or tel: 0844 873 4993

Blackfriars Restaurant, Friars Street, Newcastle, NE1 4XN, (0191) 261 5945,www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

Young Entrepreneurs Trust: Under 35’s in Business Programme

We’re pleased to support this new venture, pioneered by entrepreneur Will Ryles.

When young people start out in business they don’t have years of experience to back them up. Usually the urge to go it alone is because they feel they have the raw talent to be better than the competition in their particular field, but from experience we know most are not experts in all the other areas needed to make a business tick.

The experience of starting a business is daunting no matter what the age, but we recognise that young entrepreneurs have a different set of social issues to the norm. Often young entrepreneurs can still be growing up, with friends that often do not understand the stresses and strains of running your own business. It can be both the most exciting and socially stressful moments of their lives.

The under 35’s in Business programme is designed not only to bring young entrepreneurs together socially, but also to provide them with the support needed to run a business by providing social and business mentors along with training to help them set up on their own.

Meetings

1^st Monday of every month at the Spice Cube, The Gate, Newcastle

For: Entrepreneurs under 35, and special guests over 35

Structure:

6-6.30pm Arrive + Network

6.30-6.40pm Speech

6.40pm-7.30pm Meal

7.30pm-8pm Q+A session

8pm After meal drinks

Mentoring

We specifically aim to provide mentors under the age of 35 that have gone through similar experiences or situation to those you are currently experiencing. They will be able to provide you with an insight into how they approached certain business issues, but also be able to relate to the personal issues you may face when running a business.

Education

We aim to run courses aimed at teaching young entrepreneurs how to be self employed. As a business owner you will be expected to tackle many angles of business, finance, marketing, pr etc, we aim to make sure young entrepreneurs have access to relevant training and experience to ensure they make a success of their chosen venture.

For more details and to book the first event on the 7th February, please visit http://www.youngentrepreneurstrust.org.uk/

For any more information please contact Will at wryles@dovcor.com

Free event aims to give Newcastle residents their Eureka moment

A NEW initiative has been set up to encourage unemployed people and those facing the threat of redundancy to set up their own business in Newcastle.

Funded by Newcastle City Council and European Regional Development Fund 2007-13, RTC North has developed Eureka in partnership with Enterprise Made Simple.

The series of free workshops, spread over five days, will be open to anyone with an eligible Newcastle post code with the aim of dispelling the fears and reservations that many people have over going it alone.

The course will show people, who may have no business acumen or qualifications, that anyone can make a success of being self-employed with perseverance, the right guidance and the knowledge needed to overcome certain barriers.

It will also highlight the many opportunities for new businesses that have arisen in the aftermath of the recession and its ongoing fallout.

Barrie Mullen from RTC North said: “We speak to lots of people who say they are not clever enough to start a business and we wanted to try and remove some of those barriers.

“People have lots of skills, some of which could be used to start a business and earn them a wage. We appreciate that if you haven't started a business before it can seem very daunting so Eureka is designed to look at the key aspects of running a business.

“We hope that during the week people will have that Eureka moment when they think that yes, self employment is for me.”

The course runs between 14^th and 18^th February and again from 7^th to 11^th March, across five different venues including St James Park, Hoults Yard and the Royal Station Hotel.

There are 20 places on each course and the deadline for entries is Wednesday 2 February for the February event and 9^th March for the following month’s course.

The workshops will be practical and easy to follow, with fun activities to help increase motivation and self-confidence.

John Musham, head of economic development at Newcastle Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for people in Newcastle to gain those essential skills to help them start a business!”

For more information or to book a place on the course please go to: www.rtcnorth-education.org.uk/eureka

Staff at the Double

STOCKTON-based Cornerstone Business Solutions has added two new members of staff to its growing team and is already in search of further talent.

The company - which was founded by Chris Petty in June 2008 – has predicted a 50pc increase in last year’s turnover which will see the firm hit the £1m mark. Developments in the firm, which has more than double in size and has won scores of industry awards, could see the current workforce of 10 double in the very near future.

Darren Hall, 34, from Redcar, joins the firm as IT technician bringing with him more than 12 years experience. Apprentice Hayley McCleary, who is 16 and from Thornaby, has joined the team as business administrator. The firm is now actively seeking another sales person and an engineer.

“I am delighted to be working with such a progressive company like Cornerstone, it’s a great move and I hope to add value to the business,” said Mr Hall.

Through a number of strategic partnerships and sub-contracting deals – details of which cannot be disclosed at this stage – Cornerstone’s turnover is set to grow to a staggering £3.5m in the next two and a half years and will see the company’s client spread go UK wide.

Mr Petty, who was crowned the 2011 Face of Entrepreneurship for Middleborough in the Entrepreneur’s Forum – If We Can You Can campaign – was determined to create a company which specialises in helping other businesses work smarter.

Cornerstone – which has recently moved from small, shared office premises to the prestigious MAP House at Preston Farm Industrial Estate, now employs 10 staff and boasts an enviable client list including Virgin Vie, The Map Group UK, Coors and Middlesbrough Football Club.

The company partners with global technology brands such as IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Cisco, Mitel and BT - to provide robust and reliable support for business critical systems.

For more information about CBS and the benefit it can provide to businesses please visit www.cornerstonebs.co.uk or call 0845 2232400.

Former MediaCityUK chief joins Amazing

THE former head of business development at MediaCityUK - the new home for the BBC in Manchester - has joined The Amazing Media Group to spearhead the Newcastle-based firm’s business media division.

Jason Legget, who was made redundant from Peel Media last year, has been given a broad brief at Amazing.

He will be charged with growing the existing team and revenues, as well as overseeing the firm’s main product offering, Amazinginstore.

This is a virtual radio and music service for firms such as retailers, hoteliers, leisure companies and charities.

It offers them a library of around 35,000 original songs which are exempt from conventional licensing processes - in a bid to save clients money and generate sales for artists.

Jason Legget, who prior to MediaCityUK worked at the NWDA, said: “Working in the North West was great and I have met some inspirational business people, but the opportunity to work with Paul (Campbell, Amazing founder and CEO) again and return to Newcastle to run Amazing Business Media was an opportunity too good to turn down.”

Story courtesy of www.bdaily.info

A Tough Year Says Economist, But Better Days To Come

Entrepreneurs hold the key to driving forward the North East economy as it faces a squeeze on consumer spending over the next year, a leading economist has predicted.

After a tough 12 months, the region should begin to see an improving economic picture over the next two or three years as the budget deficit is reduced and government revenue grows.

Douglas McWilliams, founder of think-tank the Centre for Economics and Business Research Ltd and former chief economic advisor to the Confederation of British Industry, said North East entrepreneurs provided "the acorns from which oaks will begin to grow" but it would mean breaking out of a culture previously reliant on the public sector.

"The rate of business start-ups is relatively low. In a sense they have been stymied by a culture that has looked to the government rather than to do things for themselves," he said as a guest speaker at the Entrepreneurs' Forum annual Chairman's Dinner.

Cuts would have a greater impact on the region because of its disproportionate share of public spending, he said.

But North East entrepreneurs were particularly strong, and the IT revolution meant they were less dependent upon local customers.

"It's easier for a region to transform itself quickly than it would have been in the past," said Mr McWilliams, a regular economics commentator on television and radio and whose clients include Siemens, Vodafone, Oracle, Transport for London and The Crown Estate.

The North East was a distilled version of the national picture, which he said was looking much more exciting in a couple of years' time.

"At the moment we are climbing up the hill but when we get to the slide down it will be much better. 2013, 2014 and 2015 could be quite good years for the British economy," he added.

While the global economy goes through the biggest transformation ever, the UK was facing a "slightly bigger challenge" because of a mismatch between the economic cycle and the political cycle, said Mr McWilliams, who advises politicians on both sides.

Tom Maxfield, chairman of the Entrepreneurs' Forum, opened the event telling Forum members: "The future lies in our hands and each one of us has the opportunity to seize the moment and turn it to our advantage."

He posed the question if the coalition government was a good thing for business, and asked if members could ever take opposition leader Ed Miliband seriously after he said the budget deficit had nothing to do with Labour.

Mr Maxfield said it was the calibre of leadership that would prove critical, comparing the widely criticised performance of England coach Fabio Capello in the football World Cup to that of Andrew Strauss, captain of England's Ashes-winning cricket team.

One entrepreneur who survived a death threat by Russian mafia and spent five years trying to bring his business into profit before reaching stardom is Nick Jenkins, founder and chairman of Moonpig.com.

As guest entrepreneur at the dinner, held at Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle, Mr Jenkins said he was drawn towards starting his own venture by the "carrot of what might happen".

"As an entrepreneur it doesn't matter if you never get to the carrot; it's about the possibility and the chance to dream. You can't dream of winning the lottery if you don't buy a ticket," he said.

He spent nine years in Moscow working as a commodity trader for a sugar company and was involved in an MBO of the business, generating enough capital to invest in his own venture back in the UK.

Mr Jenkins, who failed to get the A level grades to secure a place at Newcastle Polytechnic but later went on to study Russian literature and an MBA, says the importance of having his own cash to invest in the business should not be underestimated when it came to securing external funding later.

"Lots of people have good ideas but don't have any money, but when it comes to raising finance it's more convincing if you've got some of your own," he explained.

"Investors are fairly cautious and if the owner has nothing to lose they are less likely to be interested. I do not think I would have got the funding if I had started it without my own money."

It was 1999 at the height of the dot come boom when he came up with the idea for Moonpig, realising that his own schoolboy nickname fulfilled all his criteria for a strong brand - simple, memorable and easy to spell.

The business now dominates the online greeting cards sector with 2.7 million active customers who purchased 12 million cards from the site during 2010.

Admiral launches new digital service

Admiral, known for its PR and public affairs service offering, has launched a dedicated digital arm, Admiral Digital.

With offices in Newcastle, Manchester and London, the new digital team of three will provide: web design and development, Flash animation and online advertising, search engines optimisation, app development and website consultation. The new digital team will work closely with the PR team to build Admiral’s revenues.

Heading up digital, Seth Ridley comes with a wealth of experience in the creative industry working with big brands including easyjet, NHS, Vodafone and Yakult. With a combined 40 years of experience, the digital team will enhance the offering of the communication consultancy.

Speaking of the launch, IWCYC member Georgie Cameron, founder and managing director of Admiral, said;
“We were constantly handing our revenue to partners for digital projects and decided it was time to bring the service offering in-house.”

The launch of Admiral Digital comes after a new full-service office in Manchester recently opened along with a satellite office in London.

North East software entrepreneurs launch a world first

TWO SOFTWARE entrepreneurs are set to launch a new software program designed to capture children’s opinions about their school life in a bid to help staff monitor and improve the school’s performance.

Newcastle-based Jeremiah Alexander and Peter Hirst are launching their new business, Every1Speaks, at BETT 2011 - the world’s largest exhibition of educational technology products held at Olympia, in London this week.

Peter Hirst, company director, said capturing the student voice is rising up the priority list for most schools, but no objective way to collect information exists yet.

“Getting the opinions of pupils has become a concern for many schools,” said Mr Hirst.

“Some even include a pupil on the panel when interviewing for new teachers or hold focus groups of children to get their opinion on life in the classroom.

“But there are some real issues with capturing data that way, because the natural teacher-pupil relationship can inhibit the response or it could be an unfair reflection of what the main school body believes.”

The software program aims to help staff capture ‘student voice’, a term used to describe pupils’ opinions and views on all aspects of their school life, ranging from what they are taught in lessons to how school dinners can be improved.

Many education experts believe accommodating the opinion of students enhances youngsters’ engagement in school and could help improve their grades.

Four schools across the North East, one in New Zealand and one in Cornwall have helped develop and pilot the software and interest in purchasing the product began well in advance of its launch – from as far afield as Canada and California.

Story courtesy of www.bdaily.info

Exciting new Unplugged event announced – Design Fusion, 20th January

Breaking Down Barriers. Creating Opportunities

Thursday, January 20th

6:30pm to 9:30pm

Northumbria University, City Campus East

‘If We Can You Can’ and Northumbria University School of Design have teamed up using the popular Unplugged event format to bring together the North East’s entrepreneurial designers.

The North East has a wealth of creative talent within the design community and this event will explore the idea that nurturing the intrinsic links between the numerous design disciplines will put design-based entrepreneurs in a strong position to capture opportunities both within and beyond the region.

Based on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s proven principle that entrepreneurs learn best from their peers, ‘If We Can You Can’ aims to create an environment in which perspectives and experiences are shared openly for the benefit and support of the community.

Joining us on stage at this great event will be key figures in the North East’s Design community including Mike Dowson from Design Network North as well as a panel of cross-discipline experts from the region, Joanna Feeley of Trend Bible, Darren Richardson of digital agency, Gardiner Richardson, award winning furniture designer Elliot Brook of Deadgood and Ian Jobling of Product Revolution Limited.

Our final speaker has also just been announced - taking to the stage will be Chris Bond, R & D Director of Hardy & Greys, lifting the lid on their world leading and innovative manufacturing products.

For your chance to get involved in what is guaranteed to be a great evening of design, discussion and debate please email Will@entrepreneursforum.net or call 0191 226 7488. Places are free, but there is a limit so please book early to ensure yourself a place.

Please also pass this on to anyone else you may know within the North East design industry who would benefit from attending this event.

If you would be interested in showcasing your company and designs, then please let us know.