Flying Start rally

04 March 2009

LJMU, in partnership with the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE), has delivered a ‘Flying Start rally’ in the new Art and Design Academy to explore all aspects of enterprise and self-employment.

Over 75 student and graduate entrepreneurs were provided with inspiration to start up their own business or work freelance through a series of workshops and activities during the day-long conference. 

The internationally-renowned creative industries business adviser David Parrish opened the conference with a keynote speech on setting up a creative business.  Sharing his ideas for creative businesses to prosper, David emphasised that it is no longer the case for creative industries graduates to make a choice between following their creative dreams and making a decent living - it is possible to have both.

Following the successful earlier pilot model of introducing music students to industry experts, professionals were invited from all areas of the creative industries, including multimedia, fine art, fashion & textiles, interior design, product design and museum studies.  The professionals introduced themselves to the student audience using an ‘elevator pitch’ and students were then able to talk to the experts during breakout sessions.  

An afternoon workshop entitled ‘creative networking in Merseyside’ was hosted by Natalie Haywood of Leaf Tea Shop and Bar and Soundmob Music.  In addition to owning two businesses in the city, Natalie has also appeared on the recent BBC television series ‘The Last Millionaire’ as one of the UK’s most successful young entrepreneurs.  Natalie believes passionately that networking has helped her to achieve her success and delivered a fascinating insight into her networking experiences and passed on her tips for successful networking. 

Emma Hunter, Head of Student Enterprise within the Business Development Centre, said: “What really marked this event out was the involvement of so many practitioners willing to get involved and share their experiences of being a freelancer in the creative industries. LJMU continues to be at the cutting edge of employability support for students and graduates.”

LJMU would like to thank the following people for their support: Claire Bates, Landbaby; Lola Bodansky, Lola Bodansky Design Consultants; Lucy Byrne, dot-art Gallery; Toni Cook, LIPA; Alex Frech, Black and Ginger Ltd; Natalie Haywood, Leaf Tea Shop and Bar; Rosalind Hyde; Brian Johnson, Creative Circus; Jason Jones, Cornerstone Gallery; Ed Lamb, Dupe Creative Design; Mary Lamb, LIPA; Matthew Moore, Junk Inc; Lizzy Rogers, National Museums Liverpool; David Parrish, T-Shirts and Suits; Clare Wilson, Nook and Willow; NCGE.

If you would like the Student Enterprise Team to work with you to deliver a similar industry-focused conference for students in self-employment, please contact Emma Hunter on 0151-231 8061 or email: e.hunter@ljmu.ac.uk

Pictured: Natalie Haywood and David Parrish