Event Name:Succeeding in difficult times Event Summary:Challenging economic conditions create an increase in entrepreneurs and start-up companies. With increased unemployment many individuals have moved out of the corporate world and taken the opportunity to do something completely different. Our two guest speakers today have seized the initiative and now own their own businesses. One is a student, who faced with the worse graduate job prospects for living memory, has set up his own company. The other is an ex-banker who has taken advantage of their redundancy package to follow a passion and develop a business venture. Join us we hear their presentations and discuss how they can continue to succeed and grow in these difficult times. Event Description:

Who are involved with the event presentations?

 

 
Hoodeasy – Richard Burton

Hoodeasy aims to make it really easy for groups of students to order customised clothing. Richard experimented with selling custom clothing on his gap year and then started the company properly in September 2008. Since then he has sold thousands of hoodies, t-shirts, and polo-shirts to students in 100+ schools and 10 universities.

 
Edinburgh School of Food & Wine – Ian Perrie

 

Ian Pirrie Owner of the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine (ESFW) since 2008. ESFW are Scotland’s longest serving accredited cookery school, providing fantastic opportunities for Student education, together with a mix of Leisure courses, with a wide range of corporate event planning. Prior to the purchase Ian worked with HBoS for 20 years, with responsibilities for the Retail Branch Network. He also completed a 12 month consultancy with Santander where he set up the Sales function for their new wealth management division. Ian currently works on a voluntary basis with two charities, giving them the benefit of his management expertise. He has two lovely children Mark 13 and Emma 10, who keep him very busy.

Who are our Guest Commentators for the event?

Tino Nombro of Ambergreen Internet Marketing will give his comments and views on Hoodeasy. - Tino has worked at the cutting edge of online marketing for over twelve years. As one of Ambergreen’s founders he has shaped the direction of Ambergreen and developed the strategic consultancy the agency delivers. His enthusiasm for ensuring companies embrace online and achieve outstanding results comes from a strong understanding of business combined with expert knowledge and experience of the Internet.  

As well as playing an important and hands on role with clients, Tino is a respected member of the business community and a strong and dynamic business leader.  His vision and energy have been a key factor in Ambergreen’s success.  

 
&

John Strachan of Maximillion will give their comments and views on Edinburgh School of Food & Wine.  
 

 
Our Co-sponsor

LAUNCH.ed Student Startup Support University of Edinburgh

LAUNCH.ed provides free start up advice and business support to students at the University of Edinburgh interested in starting a business.

Students, from undergraduates through to PhDs, and recent alumni are offered one-to-one help from a business advisor on all aspects of setting up a business. We also run workshops, clinics, competitions and provide mentoring, hot desks, facilities, a library of resources and online tools.

LAUNCH.ED supports both students with technical, early stage ideas and non technical near to market business ideas. In the last eight years, LAUNCH.ed has helped more than 50 students to form their own company, many of which have grown into successful, profitable enterprises. LAUNCH.ed is a University of Edinburgh service run by Edinburgh Research and Innovation

Delegate fee £30