A new initiative aimed at young entrepreneurs is set to launch at this October’s Burnham-On-Sea Food and Drink Festival.
The ‘Introducing…’ young makers market is offering a dozen creative start-up businesses the opportunity to not only trade for free, to a potential footfall of 18,000, but also to get free business advice and attend a design workshop.
Festival organiser Sarah Milner Simonds said: “It has long been an ambition of ours to put younger producers on centre-stage. Now, with the assistance of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, we have been able to offer these pitches at the festival, and support for fledgling businesses from Nat West and the Design Hive.”
“It is aimed at local 16-24 year-olds who are just starting out in trading. They might have started selling to friends, been selling online or this might be just the opportunity that sees them put a bright idea into action. We want to help young people, making their own products, develop some seriously good businesses. Oh yes, and it’s not just about food.”
The offer is open to any young person with a good idea or products to sell at the Burnham-On-Sea Food & Drink Festival on 22nd October.
The Festival organisers will offer a free pitch and guidance on trading. Design Hive will offer design advice and Nat West is offering business and banking guidance.
Also on offer is access to local business people who have set up their own successful businesses and are happy to offer their advice and encouragement.
Mel Downing, owner of design business The Design Hive is offering a free workshop seminar, and said: “The idea is to give traders a head start and put them ahead of the game, so that they can make a great first impression. At the workshop, they will be working on a professional logo design and then using their businesses products and discussing how we can photograph these to create display materials.”
Andy Light, a Business Growth Enabler at Nat West, is offering a one-to-one appointment to talk through the setup process for a micro business. To apply for one of the free pitches prospective traders need to download a short application form from the food festival website here.
Pictured: Young traders at previous food festivals in Burnham-On-Sea
