RECRUITED: Alex Spark and Rand Nessif of Heuro Studios, with their business advisor Becca Pettman
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Three enterprising young people have been recruited by the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB) on behalf of the Hull and East Yorkshire Youth Enterprise Partnership to become Youth Enterprise Ambassadors.
The new ambassadors are Alex Spark and Rand Nessif of Heuro Studios and Kai Ingram of Musefuze Studios.
All three have received financial support from the JCYYEB and access to a mentor as well as taken part in Hull City Council’s Making Changes for Careers (MC4C) programme.
Now, they will encourage other young people to develop enterprising ideas. As part of their remit, they will work with the partners in the Hull and East Yorkshire Youth Enterprise Partnership to promote youth entrepreneurship and enterprise skills to young people from primary school age up to 29.
They will advise on future activities and programmes, visit schools and colleges to inspire others and represent the views of young entrepreneurs to the council’s Future You programme, as well as promoting the opportunities available in Elevate @ Mark Jones MBE Centre on High Street, Hull city centre.
Liz Barclay, patron of the JCYEB and Institute of Directors (IoD) special adviser small business and entrepreneurship, said: “The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank are delighted that three young people we have supported with a Test Market Grant with access to a mentor will become new ambassadors to promote youth entrepreneurship and enterprise skills, showcasing how Hull supports its enterprising young people.
“I have no doubt they will be fantastic ambassadors, not only for the work of the Hull and East Yorkshire Youth Enterprise Partnership but for the area as a whole.
“It is lovely watching aspiring young entrepreneurs in Hull and East Yorkshire grow in confidence and to be able to support new ones starting on their business journey and share their experiences, top tips and knowledge.”
Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing said: “The city council has a commitment to creating and facilitating opportunities for young people, which is why we supported the creation of Elevate @ Mark Jones MBE Centre and secured £2.2m from the UK Government for it.
“You can get no better advocate for an activity or a programme than those that have taken part of it, so I welcome the creation of youth enterprise ambassadors.”
SUPPORT: Kai Ingram of Musefuze Studios
“I have no doubt Alex, Rand and Kai will be fantastic ambassadors, not only for the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, but for the whole Hull and East Yorkshire area, so I thank them for bringing their enthusiasm and commitment in helping us raise the importance of entrepreneurship and enterprise skills amongst our young people.”
Alex co-founder of Heuro Studios, said: “Becoming a youth enterprise ambassador for the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Hull and East Yorkshire Youth Enterprise Partnership felt like a natural next step for us.
“We’ve had so much support from the MC4C programme and the Quickline-sponsored JCYEB grant to enable digital inclusion already that it’s brilliant to be able to give something back and support other young entrepreneurs coming up in Hull.
“Being an ambassador is truly an honour, and being part of a family that is actively creating opportunity for Hull and East Yorkshire means a lot.”
Rand, also co-founder of Heuro Studios, said: “I started Heuro Studios, an immersive and digital experience company based here in Hull, towards the end of my final year at university, and it was quite scary. There was no clear path to follow, and nowhere to go where people weren’t asking for success from day one.
“Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank was everything we needed as a small business. They gave us room to grow while taking on the hardest part of starting out, the advertising and the introductions, putting us in rooms with companies far bigger than us. The mentors just want what’s best for you, and they keep involving you in things rather than leaving you to work it out alone.
“That’s why I wanted to join the team as an ambassador, because I know how hard and how lonely it can be. I want more people to know that JCYEB and MC4C is there, since nobody should have to go through the start of it on their own, and I would like to help others the way we were helped.”
Kai, founder of Musefuze Studios added: “With MC4C and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, the support I received was outstanding. While my company was already incorporated and less than a year old, they both didn’t turn me away and still guided me through their workshops, teaching me many skills of how to run a business and provided information which will help in the future.
“Starting a business, as a limited company or sole trader, can seem daunting at first. However, once someone sits down with you and goes through each small piece of the puzzle, it becomes a lot more easy and less stressful.
“I believe everyone should have the chance to find out how freeing and rewarding it is to own your own small business and I am delighted to now be asked to be a Youth Enterprise Ambassador for the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank.”
The John Crcaknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB) supports young entrepreneurs and enterprise education in Hull and East Yorkshire, working closely with the Making Changes for Careers (MC4C) programme.
Website: www.youthenterprise.co.uk
Facebook: The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank
X: @JCYEB_Hull
Instagram: jcyeb_hull