Brian Bradley, a partner from Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants, became a ‘Dragon’ when he participated in judging 18 groups of business students from Stockport College who presented their business ideas in a Dragons Den style format called Perfect Pitch.
This was a valuable sounding board for the students to fine tune their work prior to submission towards their end of year exams.
Brian said:
“ This was an opportunity for me to channel my inner Duncan Bannatyne, although more likely Theo Paphitis with my hairline, after ten years of watching Dragons Den and shuddering at some of the weird and wonderful business ideas presented by budding entrepreneurs seeking investment”.
Other judges included Andrew Cooke and Andrei Szatkowski from Equity Housing, Claire Ellam from Bupa Healthcare, Tina Sproson from Stockport College and Martin Loynd who is an approved Growth Accelerator Coach.
Brian continues:
“As judges, we were all looking forward to some creative and inspiring business ideas from the students and we could hopefully give some constructive feedback in the limited time we had with each group. Who knows we could even go away having seen the next Steve Jobs or Alan Sugar!”
Pictured left – The front row
are the judges (l to r) Brian Bradley – Clarke Nicklin; Claire Ellam – BUPA Health Care; Martin Loynd – Growth Accelerator Coach; Tina Sproson – Dean of HE Stockport College; Andrei Szatkowski – Equity Housing; Andrew Cooke – Equity Housing;
middle row is winners on the day “Emily’s Closet” and back row are Stockport College Business Studies Lecturers.
The Stockport College students did not disappoint Brian and his fellow judges as they were all genuinely impressed by the ideas and the energy with which the students delivered their business proposals. Food and drink was well represented in the student’s presentations and covered everything from smoothies, healthy takeaway offerings, cakes and then through to full blown bar and restaurant.
Computer technology was a popular theme and business proposals were presented for Apps which help you to plan your night out, organise and plan your wardrobe and even plan a meal around ingredients which are left in your fridge.
Other business ideas included beauty products, convenience store, Mixed Martial Arts Gym and even a series of books which was pitched by the one student brave enough to present on his own.
Brian again:
“In the end competition was fierce and “Emily’s Closet” won the top prize of the day for their shop selling affordable children’s clothing and they touched the judge’s hearts with the offer to give away a slice of profits to charity. Runners-up were mobile smoothie company “Moo Shakes” and food App “Fridge Chef”.
“A good day was had by all and as judges there were definitely a few business ideas which we would have given investment if the process was for real. I am comfortable in the knowledge we had maybe seen the next wave of young entrepreneurs and the students were a credit to Stockport College. We also want to give special thanks to the Business Studies lecturer Adam Brown and his team who co-ordinated events on the day”.