The New East Manchester EnterPrize is now in its third year. It is designed as a way to both encourage enterprise within New East Manchester whilst recognising talented businesses and entrepreneurs.
First Place- Barking Barbers - Angel Dominic Moore, Owner of Barking Barbers said: "I feel elated to have won £10,000 in the EnterPrize competition. The prize will help me develop a new online Dog Forum providing advice for dog owners and launch a new holistic dog grooming salon. I want to be part of the changing face of dog grooming in the UK by encouraging better care and understanding of pets through knowledge."
Second Place - Hound Helpers - Managing Director of Hound Helpers, Sarah Roper said: "I'm so excited about where this £5,000 prize will take my business. Buying a larger van alone will help double my projected turnover for next year. I wouldn't have been able to develop Hound Helpers without the advice and support from New East Manchester."
All 5 finalists
First Place- Built-Up Signs (www.built-ups.com) Peter Potts, 26 and Westley McKay, 27, began their Newton Heath-based business, Built-Up Signs, in January 2007 after losing the jobs they had held for ten years at a local sign-making shop. Determined not to let their expertise go to waste, the two friends succeeded in buying the equipment of the failed business that had made them redundant from the liquidator. On hearing they had come first, Peter Potts said: “We are shocked and over the moon to have won this award – it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind. The £10,000 prize will help us buy new machinery and equipment and training for our employees. The advisers at New East Manchester have been brilliant - like project managers, setting us goals and helping with our business plan. We’d encourage other local businesses to enter – even if you don’t win, the advice you get is really useful.”
Second Place - Dream Clubs - (www.dreamclubs.co.uk) Sharon Calvert, 25, set up Dream Clubs in order to expand her nails and beauty firm to provide well-being classes that boost the confidence of her customers. As a mobile beauty therapist she realised there was demand for advice on healthy diets and suitable exercise regimes alongside the waxing, massage and pedicure treatments she offered. Sharon was a finalist in the first EnterPrize competition and further development over the following months allowed her to pick up the second prize
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2007 EnterPrize
First Place - Smart Plan, the computer software design company based in east Manchester that in 2007 scooped the top prize in a major competition for entrepreneurs, is set to launch an online tool that will revolutionise the UK planning application process. Founder Maciej Orzechowski, 37, used his EnterPrize award of £10,000 to develop the prototype for Smart Designer, a computerised personal architect and automated planning application tool. Five months on, he raised further investment, took on a business partner who is developing sales and is in talks with a number of major DIY chains interested in retailing Smart Designer.
Second Place - Any Tackle - Admir Rusidovic, aged 28, had been fishing since he was five and always dreamt of owning his own fishing tackle shop. In 2007 he impressed the judges of New East Manchester’s EnterPrize competition with his ambitious business plan and landed the £5,000 runner’s up prize – enabling him to achieve his life-long dream. He is now planning to expand his company by offering a range of fishing holidays to his home country of Bosnia.