Innovative young entrepreneurs from Cumbria showcased their business ventures at two special events this week. Fifteen individuals, aged 14 to 25, from Furness and West Cumbria, were selected to participate in the Positive Enterprise program in January.
The program, developed and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP), aims to assist young people in starting their own businesses. Each participant was given a £1,000 grant at the beginning of the year to launch or expand their business. Their ideas ranged from AI virtual assistants and African food to pet photography and a mobile make-up service.
Over the past six months, the participants received mentoring from experienced local businesspeople and had the opportunity to develop their skills and leadership abilities through workshops provided by CforLP.
This week, the young entrepreneurs presented their businesses at celebratory events held at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington and The Bridge in Barrow. They shared the inspiration behind their ideas and discussed the successes and challenges they have faced in their entrepreneurial journey.
A panel of judges selected two participants from each region to receive an additional cash injection into their business. Maria Ferreira, 21, from Workington, impressed the judges with her business, Ferrocious Furniture, which refurbishes and reupholsters old furniture. She received an extra £1,000 in funding, which she plans to use to run workshops teaching others how to upcycle and breathe new life into old items.
Another standout entrepreneur from the West Cumbria cohort was Holly Chamberlain, 20, from Cockermouth. She received an additional £500 towards her business, Un Petit Rêve, a sewing and knitting pattern studio. Holly designs, creates, and sells clothes, patterns, and knitted items, as well as offering workshops for others to learn these skills.
The Positive Enterprise program was funded in West Cumbria this year by Sellafield Ltd, through the Transforming West Cumbria program, Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund, and a private donor. Stuart McCourt, Senior Social Impact Manager at Sellafield Ltd, expressed his delight in supporting the program for the fourth year in a row and commended the participants for their inspiring progress and determination.
This year, the Positive Enterprise program also ran in the Furness area, funded by the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund and individual donor Jan Ambler. Travis Drake, 25, from Barrow, was chosen by the judges to receive an additional £1,000 grant towards his business, Buzz Trackers, a device that helps people find misplaced items such as TV remote controls. Travis was mentored by James Batchelor.
Travis expressed his gratitude for the support from Positive Enterprise, stating that it has been instrumental in his success. He also highlighted the valuable connections he has made along the way, particularly with his mentor, James Batchelor, who encouraged him to think outside the box and try new ideas.
Rukky Jokoh, 18, was named the runner-up from the Furness region for her Nigerian food business, Rukky’s Naija Hub. She praised the program for helping her turn her passion into a sustainable business and bring authentic Nigerian food to a wider audience.
The Centre for Leadership Performance is responsible for delivering the Positive Enterprise program. Executive Director Catherine Eve expressed her excitement for the future of the program and praised the participants for their energy and creativity, stating that they all have bright futures ahead of them. She also highlighted the program’s success in providing valuable skills to the participants, such as negotiation, time management, and business knowledge.
Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programs at Cumbria Community Foundation, thanked the mentors and donors who have made this transformational program possible and acknowledged its lasting impact on the participants’ careers.
Applications for the 2027 Positive Enterprise program will open later this year, but those interested in participating or mentoring can register their interest by emailing grants@cumbriafoundation.org.
For more information, please visit www.cumbriafoundation.org/transforming-west-cumbria/positive-enterprise/.
