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Equal-Invest
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Equal-Invest Picture Essays
The participating social enterprises were asked to provide a few words on their mentors. Here's what they said ...
Picture Essays
- The African Families Foundation - Neela Bettridge
- Bikeworks - Paul Marshall
- Bikeworks - Neela Bettridge
- Brighter Future Workshop - John Clarke
- CDA for Herts - Matthias Gruendler
- Commedia Sheffield - Roy Smith
- Elemental - Thomas Krick
- Emmaus Bristol - Adrienne Lowing
- Emmaus Gloucestershire - Jo Hallas
- Inclusive Solutions - Margaret O'Keeffe
- Muddy Icon - Grace Kang
- West Anglia Crossroads - Chris Morgan
- Whitehouse Enterprises - Geoff Care
The African Families Foundation
Mentor Neela Bettridge
Neela was a very lovely, warm person and the biggest gift she gave to me was motivation. She's very focused and she encouraged me because she could do it. I really appreciated the planning skills she bought and advice she gave on how to do background research and sales pitches. We've noticed a big difference in the business already. Thanks.
Nana Ama Amamoo,
chief executive,
TAFF
Bikeworks - Paul Marshall
Mentor Paul Marshall
Paul bought solid financial skills to the table, giving Bikeworks a valuable financial overview and advice on analysis. He offered good ideas on how to structure our finances and manage them and we have implemented some of his recommendations already. Thank you for your contribution.
Dave Miller,
director,
Bikeworks
Bikeworks - Neela Bettridge
Mentor Neela Bettridge
Neela is very experienced in coaching and gave a good overview of the strategic side of the business and thinking long-term about where we wanted to go with it. She also helped with our preparation for the pitch, which helped me win several other pitches outside the programme. Neela is very inspiring and positive, which was a great support.
Dave Miller,
director,
Bikeworks
Brighter Future Workshop - John Clarke
Mentor John Clarke
John's been really good for our business, showing us new directions to move in to work towards full sustainability and to become more focused in what we do. He bought really valuable knowledge in areas that we needed to improve on. The information, his knowledge and his experience has been really helpful. Thanks.
Peter Cousins,
chairman/director,
Brighter Future Workshop
CDA for Herts - Matthias Gruendler
Mentor Peter Cousins
A special thank-you to Matthias. CDA for Herts is indebted to him for his support, energy and enormous interest in the wellbeing of our "Liquid Gold" idea and us. We would not have progressed far without his regular "health checks" and face-to-face meetings. We will miss him.
Kate Belinis,
chief executive officer,
CDA for Herts
Commedia Sheffield - Roy Smith
Mentor Roy Smith
Roy, thank-you for your guidance and very valuable advice to us at Sheffield Live! 93.2fm at what is a crucial time for the organisation. We have really appreciated the fact that you are always a phone call away if we need you. Most of all we'd like to thank you for fighting our "corner" and for being patient and understanding.
Sangita Busadev,
chief executive,
Commedia Sheffield
Elemental - Thomas Krick
Mentor Thomas Krick
Thomas, thanks for your clarity, realism and for going out of your way to provide information on quite detailed matters around your busy schedule. We've noticed a massive difference in the business already.
Nick Jankel-Elliot,
founder,
Elemental
Emmaus Bristol - Adrienne Lowing
Mentor Adrienne Lowing
Adrienne, thank-you very much for your hard work and support. It was a pleasure to work with you and having an outside view on our business was very helpful. You really helped us to sharpen our business plan.
Richard Pendlebury,
director,
Emmaus Bristol
Emmaus Gloucestershire - Jo Hallas
Mentor Jo Hallas
Jo helped me to stay "real" with my goals and gave really good advice on how to stay at general manager level without getting pulled down into the day-to-day operations. I appreciated that she bought good HR, business planning and time management skills to her mentoring ... and all this while pregnant and giving birth! Thanks.
Maureen Margrie,
general manager,
Emmaus Gloucestershire
Inclusive Solutions - Margaret O'Keeffe
Mentor Margaret O'Keeffe
Margaret bought a tremendous boost of energy to our business and went over and above what was required of her as a mentor. Her involvement was a god-send at a time when we had an energy block and we were able to unblock that and make decisions we had been lingering on. Her work has made a world of difference.
Kenneth Kowa,
secretary,
Inclusive Solutions
Muddy Icon - Grace Kang
Mentor Grace Kang
Thank-you Grace for all your help and support over the whole process. I know how challenging it has been to work together with such hectic timetables. You provided a calming force that held my focus and pushed me further to reach my goals. I feel I've been given insight into invaluable knowledge and have learnt a wealth of information about my own company, the industry and myself.
Kevin Condliffe,
director,
Muddy Icon
West Anglia Crossroads - Chris Morgan
Mentor Chris Morgan
Chris was very well-organised, methodical and calm. It was good when I was focused on deadlines. Plus, to have someone watching over me while I had a lot of plates spinning was very helpful. Chris bought quite a lot of experience, especially experience of other social enterprises and that reality check was quite supportive. We really appreciated all the support, thanks.
Helen Brown,
chief executive,
West Anglia Crossroads
Whitehouse Enterprises
Mentor Geoff Care
Geoff could relate to a lot of what we were doing because of his experience in business. He asked all the correct questions and suggested a way forward to make us look a lot more professional. His mentoring was extremely helpful and we're now much better equipped to be able to find funding in the future. Thanks Geoff.
Graham Speed,
General Manager,
Whitehouse Enterprises
