One of the UK’s most influential entrepreneurs and business authors is set to share some of the secrets to her success with new business owners throughout the Sheffield City Region as part of a special celebration which returns to South Yorkshire next week.
Now in its second year, the Launchpad Awards recognise the achievements of both new and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the Sheffield City Region. Taking place on Friday 27th September at 92 Burton Road, home of the Peddler Market, there will be seven awards up for grabs and visitors on the evening will be given the chance to take part in a live vote to determine who will be crowned as the 2019 Launchpad Champion.
The special evening will give delegates the chance to hear from experienced business owner Emma Jones, who after successfully experiencing the highs and lows of running her own business, went on to found Enterprise Nation, which champions and campaigns on behalf of small business owners, as well as creating opportunities to obtain advice and collaborate with others. Since launching the venture in 2005, Enterprise Nation has grown to become an active community of more than 75,000 entrepreneurs and experienced business advisers. In 2012 Emma was awarded a MBE for her services to businesses and three years later she was appointed as a Business Ambassador for the UK in 2015.
Emma has written extensively on a range of issues affecting Small Businesses and on 27th September she will give some of the region’s newest and most promising start-up businesses a chance to tap into her wealth of knowledge at the 2019 Launchpad Business Awards.
During her visit to Sheffield, Emma will also launch Enterprise Nation’s new ‘Clicks and Mortar’ initiative. Developed in partnership with Amazon, Square and Direct Line for Business, Sheffield’s first Clicks and Mortar pop-up shop will open in Pinstone Street, opposite the Peace Gardens on Friday September 27. The shop will be open for six weeks, giving more than 20 small online brands the chance to sell their products, meet customers and experience selling on the high street for the first time.
Clicks and Mortar is a year-long pilot programme to open 10 pop-up shops across the UK, enabling more than 100 small online businesses to experience selling on the high street for the first time.
Emma Jones MBE, founder of the small business support network, Enterprise Nation, said:
“Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs is vital and Launchpad is doing important work in the Sheffield City Region to make sure new business owners are not only nurtured, but celebrated. I’m delighted Enterprise Nation can play a role in this fabulous initiative.”
Anna Smith, programme manager, Sheffield City Region Launchpad programme said:
“Having launched and successfully sold her own business, Emma is no stranger to the challenges which face new business owners and during her talk, Emma will share some of the stories of her own entrepreneurial journey. Since launching Enterprise Nation, Emma has continued to champion and campaign on behalf of small businesses and I am delighted to be able to welcome her as our keynote speaker for the 2019 Launchpad Awards
“The Launchpad Awards are a true celebration of entrepreneurship and offer a rare chance for new entrepreneurs to pose questions to one of Britain’s leading entrepreneurs.”
To find out more about the 2019 Launchpad Awards, visit the SCR Launchpad website.
Launchpad is a unique scheme which forms part of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub. The programme is financially supported by the European Union Regional Development Fund and delivered by local authorities within the Sheffield City Region and the Princes Trust, the programme provides free help and support to budding entrepreneurs in the Sheffield City Region who are thinking of starting their own business, or have started trading within the last three years.
