One of the event speakers Alice Hall, Creative Director of Pink Boutique
Hundreds of entrepreneurs and business leaders will descend on Durham’s Gala Theatre, on the Tuesday 28th February and Wednesday 1st March, to hear from an inspiring line-up of entrepreneurs as part of the inaugural Durham International Festival of Enterprise.
The main first day conference features an all star line-up as the event aims to become one of the most important dates in the North East business calendar. Giving entrepreneurs the amazing opportunity to stop and think, get some inspiration, meet new people, and consider doing things differently.
From established names such as Rory Underwood MBE, Ammar Mirza CBE and SuperJam’s Founder, Fraser Doherty MBE through to exciting entrepreneurs such as Alice Hall, Creative Director at Pink Boutique and Bethany Ainsley, CEO of Nouveau Wellbeing, all will share their views, advice and experiences on growing and succeeding in business.
Speaking prior to the event, Fraser Doherty said: “I am very much looking forward to sharing my story at Durham International Festival of Enterprise. I’ll be talking about the ups and downs, lessons learned and funny adventures I’ve had taking my Gran’s jam recipe from her kitchen in Scotland to the shelves of supermarkets as far away as South Korea.
“Events like these are the perfect chance for budding entrepreneurs to meet each other and to hear stories from entrepreneurs who have managed to get their ideas off the ground.”
Alice Hall started her business Pink Boutique from her living room with an investment of just £90. 5 years on, she has 67 staff and ships up to 4000 items per day worldwide. The company was ranked at #12 in the latest Fast Track 100 List and Alice was listed last month in the Forbes 30 under 30 List.
Alice, speaking about the event said: “All too often it’s difficult for start up entrepreneurs to get access to real advice from business people.
“This event will inspire those who are thinking of starting up, or are already in business but just need a shot in the arm to take things to the next level.”
As well as hearing the stories of the 10 key note speakers, delegates also have the opportunity to attend 15 workshop events which will be held the following day offering advice and support on all areas of business from marketing to international trade and branding.
County Durham based Great Annual Savings who are headline sponsors open the event with an address from Phil Andrew, Head of Customer Experience on building a leading company in Durham. Other sponsors also including the Department for International Trade, Clive Owen LLP and Endeavour Partnership.
Mark Sephton, who will be hosting the event, added: “The exciting and uncontainable energy which will be found through the incredible influences who are set to emerge at the Durham Festival of Enterprise is enough for anyone to make the effort to be in a room of likeminded people who just love what they do and fan the flame of entrepreneurship as you hear from some of the trailblazers at the top of their game.
He finished by saying: “It’s not just who is speaking, it’s who’s in the audience which is likely to make a huge impact on your network and community.
“Let’s celebrate entrepreneurship together.”
Tickets for the festival are available free of charge via the event website
Entrepreneurs are also welcome on the day.
