Youth Business Event Opens Doors for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

In collaboration with Chelmsford City Council, Chelmsford College’s annual Youth Business Event returned on the 30th April helping bring together an inspiring mix of young entrepreneurs, local businesses and former learners who have gone on to build successful ventures of their own. The event created a supportive environment for learners from Trades, Hair & Beauty, Media, RE START and Business to explore the possibility of launching their own future enterprises.

The afternoon was very exciting as exhibitors such as Thickbroom, Ambitious Essex, Spark, a local market trade seller and returning alumni hosted stalls, delivered workshops and shared their entrepreneurial journeys. The workshops were particularly well received, giving learners practical insight into everything from branding and customer engagement to the early steps of setting up a business.

Classes were timetabled to ensure every learner had time to browse the stalls, engage with exhibitors and attend a workshop. Alumni Ryan Owers and Callum Ridgers delivered especially popular sessions, with learners valuing their relatable experiences as former Chelmsford College students who have since built successful businesses.

One standout moment came from a Bespoke Provision learner Heidi, who showcased a card game she has developed. After discussing her idea with one of the attending companies, she received an offer of support to help her take the product to market. This is exactly the kind of conversations the event was designed to ignite, a genuine opportunity that captured the spirit of the day.

Sarah Hamilton, Executive Director of Innovation and Partnerships, who organised the event, said: "Seeing our learners connect so confidently with real businesses was very inspiring. The conversations had show why events like this matter; they open doors and help young people see what’s possible."

Chelmsford College would like to thank all exhibitors, alumni and partners who contributed and to Chelmsford City Council for their continued support. The event once again proved to be a useful platform for ambition and opportunity.