July 2012

I am delighted to announce that the winner of our Young Entrepreneur competition is 21 year old, Zoe Smith, from Bicester.

Zoe is a fashion designer and garment producer. She makes handmade and hand painted silk scarves.  Her work is made to an exceptional quality and her eye catching designs really caused a buzz during the selection process.

Her business is still very much in the planning stage, and our mentors literally can’t wait to get started. Zoe will receive help with branding and marketing from Dave Watson (www.dave-watson.co.uk) who will be working closely with Christoph Corvine from Olamalu Web technologies to create for her a bespoke website. (www.olamalu.com) Photography for the website will be provided by Ben Molyneux (www.theethicaloxfordshirephotographer.co.uk) who is an experienced fashion photographer, as well as being the founder of The Oxfordshire Project.

In addition, Zoe will receive support from Karen Paine, a highly esteemed local blogger, to help her document her progress and navigate her through the minefield that is social media. (www.bizzymumsblog.com)

Witney accountant Louise Brown will be helping her with costings and setting up her books and all things financial, (www.brownsaccountancy.co.uk) and last but not least Suzi Carlisle, from Networking Women will be offering business nurturing support, from a woman in business perspective. (www.networkingwomen.org.uk)

Zoe was delighted to win the competition and met our members at the Cumnor networking event last week.

Zoe’s aims for her first year is to have a product ready for sale at local boutiques throughout Oxfordshire  as well as on sale across the internet, she would also like to have established a brand identity and have a fully operation website.

Zoe had stiff opposition in the competition from another young entrepreneur from Bicester. Ross Arrowsmith, who was runner-up with his new business, Spare Moment Studios.

Ross who will be 17 in February, has already launched a commercial internet radio station. The station focuses on local music and shows great potential. We wish Ross all the best in the future and hope he remains a big part of The Oxfordshire Project. Listen out for his radio station on a Sunday afternoon. (www.sparemomentstudios.com)