June 2007For this and more please visit http://www.lambethcollege.ac.uk
June 2007Levi Roots gives advice to students taking part in our Dragons' Den event.
Students from Lambeth College’s Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Enterprise put their business acumen on the line this month when they entered their very own Dragons’ Den.
Two groups of students have opened college-based businesses over the past six months. Creative Frames is a bespoke picture framing company formed by 5 students from the Art BTEC National Diploma course. Computerise Ltd, made up of 11 students from the Computing BTEC First Diploma course, sells memory sticks, CD-ROMs and other stationery to students and staff.
The students bravely entered the Den to pitch their ideas and business plans to a panel of experts including real Dragons’ Den winner and Brixton resident, Levi Roots. Other judges included Calvin Rattray, founder of Hype Coiffure (one of the most successful salon brands in the UK’s Hair and Beauty sector); Sebastian Correa from GLE One London (who provide business support and training for people opening or looking to grow their own businesses) and Margot Rodway-Brown, founder and director of Adornment (a network of African-influenced cultural and creative small enterprises).
Art student Jenea Olumefuna pitches her picture framing business plan in the Dragons' Den.
The judges watched the students’ presentations with great interest and then gave feedback on their pitch, market research, approach and corporate image. They also gave the students valuable insight into becoming entrepreneurs. Margot Rodway-Brown told the students that in TV shows like ‘The Apprentice’ too much emphasis is put on being aggressive. “It doesn’t really work like this in real life” she said. “You will get a lot further by treating others with the respect you would like to receive yourself." Levi Roots said: “Never undermine yourself by comparing yourself with anybody else. We’re all different which is why each individual is so special.”
Levi praised student Richard Walker from Computerise for his superb presentation techniques. Richard said: “The response to my presentation was very complimentary. I really enjoyed the whole experience and found it most enlightening.”
Lambeth College’s Enterprise CoVE is an initiative announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, acknowledging the important role that self-employment and entrepreneurship can play in thriving communities.