New Entrepreuner Scholarship Business Start-up Awards -

Awards Presented by Rebecca Buckingham from National Federation of Enterprise Agencies and Dick Tapp, Chairman of Technology Enterprise Kent

Dover District - Sharon Simmons, Gemporium

Sharon has used her artistic and design skills in her new business called 'Gemporium'.  She makes exclusive jewellry, exquisite bespoke wedding apparel and accessories, artwork and unusual gifts for special occasions.

To show her dedication to having a successful business, even when on holiday in Mauritius celebrating her wedding anniversary, she approached wedding organisers to promote her business.  Sharon has a young family but manages to juggle everyday life, motherhood and her business extremely well.

Shepway District - Stephanie Jones, Cakes by Design

Stephanie lives in Folkestone with her 3 young children.  She has previously worked in catering and has always had an interest in cake making and decoration.  She decided to use her skills to start a business designing and making wedding and celebration cakes.  Stephanie applied for a place on the NES programme so she could develop her business skills and prepare a professional business plan.  Stephanie completed her plan whilst heavily pregnant with her son who was born last month and will shortly receive funding for the equipment that she requires to produce her specialist cakes.  She has already completed orders for several wedding cakes and is currently planning her range of christmas cakes.

NVQ Level 3 in Customer Service

Thanet District - Ann Greenwood, Ann Greenwood & Associates

By combining her counselling and her holistic threapy skills, Ann has set up a business offering a Holistic Consultancy service offering a range of therapies and personal developent work focusing on the person.  This is achieved with both one to one and group work.

Anns longer term aim is to provide 'Wilderness Therapy' by taking groups of people to South Africa, a country where she already has connections.

Atiqullah Sherzad and Gerald Watkins

Certificate presented by Peter Kennedy from Learning Skills Council and Kate Fairweather and Christina Von Graeventitz from Skillnet Training.