Press Releases

July 09 2008

Signage duo scoop £10k EnterPrize award

Peter Potts, 26, and Westley McKay, 27, began their Newton Heath-based business Built-Up Signs in January 2007 after losing the jobs they had held for ten years at a local sign-making shop. Determined not to let their expertise go to waste, the two friends succeeded in buying, from the liquidator the equipment of the failed business that had made them redundant.

They went on to grow their own built-up letter and bespoke signage firm from scratch, using the skills they had developed over the past decade, along with advice from New East Manchester's business advisors. Since starting in January 2007 they have turned over £170,000.

The entrepreneurial pair, who have known each other since leaving school at 16, began the business by cutting signs out by hand in a tiny unit. Eighteen months on and they have tripled the size of their premises, taken on two more staff and are supplying over 60 UK and international clients with acrylic 3-d letters and thermoformed built-up logos.

Built-Up Signs beat off stiff competition from more than 40 other entrants to win the £10,000 cash EnterPrize. The prize was presented to Peter Potts and Westley McKay by guest speaker, James Averdieck, founder of hugely successful luxury pudding brand GÜ Chocolate Puds.

On hearing they had come first, Peter Potts said: "We are shocked and over the moon to have won this award - it's all been a bit of a whirlwind. The £10,000 prize will help us buy new machinery and equipment and training for our employees. The advisers at New East Manchester have been brilliant - like project managers, setting us goals and helping with our business plan. We'd encourage other local businesses to enter - even if you don't win, the advice you get is really useful." www.built-ups.com

RUNNER UP: A beauty therapist from Openshaw who helps local people keep trim and feel good about themselves through healthy eating classes, social fitness programmes and mobile beauty treatments has won the runner's up EnterPrize of £5,000. She was a finalist in last year's competition and judges felt her business had developed significantly in the past year.

Sharon Calvert, 25, set up Dream Clubs in order to expand her nails and beauty firm to provide well-being classes that boost the confidence of her customers. As a mobile beauty therapist she realised there was demand for advice on healthy diets and suitable exercise regimes alongside the waxing, massage and pedicure treatments she offered.

Since launching the exercise, health and beauty company in January 2008, Sharon now runs 20 aerobics, body conditioning and boxing courses across east Manchester, developing personal exercise plans for her customers. She has helped 200 women in her healthy living class, with 40 of them losing over one stone through balanced, nutritional diet plans. Her beauty treatments are focused on improving self esteem. In the last year Dream Clubs has turned over £40,000 and Sharon is aiming to take on a member of staff in the next few months.

Sharon Calvert said, "I've worked so hard for this - winning the 2nd award in the EnterPrize competition feels amazing. I'm thrilled. I love working for myself and started off doing nails and beauty treatments. New East Manchester helped me go mobile, they gave me funding, business advice and helped me expand the business. I'm going to spend my £5,000 prize on more products and treatments, advertising and room hire for my exercise classes." www.dreamclubs.co.uk

The EnterPrize is open to start-ups based in east Manchester that have been trading for two years or less. Now in its second year, the competition rewards business talent in the area,
recognising the enthusiasm, creativity and innovation of new companies and encouraging economic growth. It is run by urban regeneration company New East Manchester in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and New Deal for Communities.

Eddie Smith, New East Manchester's Chief Executive said: "We were extremely impressed with the level of determination and drive of this year's entrants. In fact, the EnterPrize competition has proved so popular that we will now be running it twice a year. "Small companies from east Manchester that have been running for two years or less will have the chance to compete for cash prizes of £10,000 and £5,000 twice a year. Businesses can enter again in the autumn and the winners will be announced in December 2008."

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: "Promoting enterprise to drive up the number of new business starts ups and stimulate the growth of existing businesses is a key priority for the NWDA. Through providing advice and support to all entrants, this competition is all about trying to encourage local companies to plan innovative and achievable ways of growing their business, helping to boost the local economy."

EnterPrize Autumn 2008 will launch in September and the deadline for applications is in October. Winners will be announced in December. For your chance to win visit www.thenementerprize.co.uk/ and complete the online form.