Events organiser and self-motivated Merseyside Entrepreneur Lauren, wants to inspire other women out there to pursue their dreams and push for what they want. The £5,00 grant would allow her to carry more stock and expand the business with a much needed financial injection!
Outline your business and entrepreneurial skills, including your relative achievements to date in running a business:
I established Alexandra Malone Events in October 2012, a children’s party planning and event management service across Merseyside. Since I started the business I have successfully planned and hosted 20+ children’s parties with the help of ad hoc casual event staff that specialise in performing arts, beauty and design. I started from scratch, no money/investors/help or support I grew the business through my own means and determination through developing relationships with key local businesses and suppliers. I was fed up with the constant disappointment whilst trying to secure financial support or start up grant funding when I was in the early stages. My degree in Event Management and the fact I went to school and college almost went against me and I was deemed too independent and too capable to be offered for financial support, other than bank loans and this was not the route I wanted to go down. I was punished for my determination, passion and drive to set up my own business, I only needed a little help and this was denied. So, I went it alone, setting up meetings, going to networking events and getting my face out into the local community. I held a launch event where I invited a number of local businesses and, hosted a free event in a local market where I secured three bookings from a 2 hour appearance. I want to truly inspire woman out there that actually gave a damn about their education, who weren’t lazy, who tried at school and who got their grades. We should not be punished for such accomplishments, we should thrive and be given the means to do so.
Why do you have the ability to be an inspiring role model? Provide examples to illustrate:
I have the capability of being an inspiring role model as I empathise and can support young woman out there that want to succeed and be their own boss. I have given several students the opportunity to complete work experience with me and, learn transferable skills vital in securing full-time employment. With the prize money I would have the opportunity to be more active in my advertising resulting, hopefully in more bookings. Therefore I plan to work closely with a local college to provide work experience placements with my business to ensure young people have the opportunity to get some ‘hands on’ experience in the event sector. Event Management is both rewarding and hard work and I think my learning experiences and often mistake along the way can be used as a means of educating other young budding Business Woman. My determination and drive has served me well in life so far and although I have not had financial support with my business I have the passion to ‘stick at it’! Young woman should want to success, should want to learn and develop themselves both professionally and personally and, I believe my experiences can inspire others to just try their hardest!!! what more can anyone do!?
What is your business / idea and what would you use the £5,000 towards if you were to win
If I were to successfully win the £5000 it would completely change the dynamics of my business. I would have the means of purchasing stock to branch out into specific popular themes and, have the means of offering clients a wider range of services and special extras. I have relied heavily on the advertising and communication site Netmums to advertise my services, this has proven successful as clients seek comfort in reading positive reviews, for this I am grateful. However, this prize would allow me to pay for a website and become a more dominant business within the Merseyside area. I have the capability to plan and host adult parties and this is something I have been approached to do several times. The prize would allow me to branch out into different advertising streams and, there are specific niche items I would be able to purchase such as, props for themed events. I also have identified a lack of children’s services in the Merseyside area, particularly Southport where children can have the opportunity to interactive with other children in a safe, secure but ultimately fun environment. Although education is of the upmost importance for children sometimes it is imperative to let them dance, play, express themselves and make friends. I look to host a number of community events in my local area where parents can come along for a couple of hours and chat to other parents whilst their children engage in organised fun play, allowing them to grow their confidence.
