A great week for networking in Merseyside
Posted: 19th May 2008
Michelle Mone, inventor of the world famous Ultimo lingerie range and panellist on the hit TV show the Apprentice, was in St Helens last week to bring Mecworking Week 2008 to an entertaining and glamorous close.
Now in its second year, Mecworking Week, which took place 12th - 16th May, headed by Phil Redmond and co-ordinated by St Helens Chamber, comprised a weeklong series of events, seminars and networking opportunities offering the entrepreneurs of both today and tomorrow the chance to hear from some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs.
This year saw record numbers attend a range of exciting and inspirational events which included the “Big Merseyside Business Debate” at Aintree racecourse, where guests grilled business leaders and key policy makers, such as successful local entrepreneur Tony Caldeira and Kieran O’Keefe, Senior Policy Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce on how to reduce the negative impacts of regulation on Merseyside businesses.
“Practical Skills for Entrepreneurs”, was an afternoon of workshops held at Il Palazzo in Liverpool city centre, which offered help and advice to new and budding entrepreneurs on making business plans, identifying new markets and using networking to help grow a business.
The highlight of the week was ‘An Audience with Michelle Mone’. Held at Colours Restaurant in St Helens, Michelle fascinated the audience with her unique and beguiling tale of how she rose from delivering newspapers in the East End of Glasgow as a teenager to become one the most successful female entrepreneurs in the world, holding court with international leaders such as Bill Clinton and Mikael Gorbachev.
Guests were treated to a glimpse of Michelle’s world when her lunch was interrupted by a phone call from Madonna’s P.A. asking if she could supply her with a backless bra for the dress she planned to wear the following day at the Cannes Film festival. A few phone calls later we were assured that someone was winging their way to the airport with the prized possession.
One common element revealed by all speakers during Mecworking Week was what they believe is the secret to being a successful entrepreneur, with each one of them citing: Self belief, unwavering determination, willingness to take risks, ability to “think outside the box” and sheer hard work.
Kath Boullen, Chief Executive of St Helens Chamber commented:
“The success of Mecworking Week 2008 has clearly demonstrated the passion, drive and entrepreneurial talent that exists in abundance in this region.
“Bringing people together to share ideas, offer help and advice or simply tell their story has proven invaluable for many people running or dreaming of running their own business.
Mecworking Week was conceived with the idea of supporting entrepreneurship in Merseyside, but I believe it has gone beyond that now to become one of the most inspirational events in the business calendar”.
The last word from Mecworking week goes to Michelle Mone who sees success as a simple equation:
“If you have a dream, if you’re determined and focused you can do whatever you want.”
Notes to Editors
- Mecworking Week was launched following the publication of the Merseyside Entrepreneurship Commission Report, which recommended an annual event dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurship and business in Merseyside.
- Mecworking week is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative.
· St Helens Chamber is one of the largest and most successful Chambers in the UK. In 2007 St Helens Chamber was awarded ‘Chamber of the Year’ by an independent panel of judges at the British Chambers of Commerce National Awards.
· St Helens Chamber has the highest business involvement rate in the UK and represents all industry sectors, ranging from sole traders to large corporations and multi-nationals. Chamber Members employ over 60% of the local workforce.
- The Borough of St Helens has been awarded £13.4m as part of the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI), an economic development programme aimed at increasing the number of local businesses, supporting their growth and attracting inward investment to the Borough. St.Helens Council is responsible for the programme, with the Chamber as the delivery partner