Blending elements of 'The Apprentice' with 'Dragons' Den', Dorset entrepreneur Stephanie Pettitt has given the chance of a lifetime to an aspiring business owner.
The winner of the £20,000 prize, of the complete Equation Accounting franchise package, was selected through a Win Your Own Business competition.
Following an online application process, 32 candidates were whittled down to 6 finalists, who delivered pitches to the judging panel.
The prize franchise went to budding entrepreneur Anna Ward, a second year marketing student from Bournemouth University. Her inspiring and well researched pitch astounded judges with her confidence and in-depth understanding of Equation Accounting’s values and spirit.
Anna will complete a seven week intensive training course in preparation to launch her Equation franchise which will offer the full range of Equation accounting packages and services.
A one year work placement was offered as a surprise second prize to Kajal Bakrania after her impressive, infectious and persuasive pitch to the panel.
Stephanie Pettitt, founder of Equation Accounting, said she ran the competition to combat the “doom and gloom” of the unemployment crisis and get people thinking about starting their own businesses again. Stephanie said “I am on an absolute mission to encourage people to believe in themselves and start their own businesses from their creative ideas.”
The winning prize was presented by multi award-winning licensee and restaurateur< Ali Carter. “Seeing these amazing young people pitch so professionally and confidently in front of a prestigious judging panel and room full of accomplished businessmen and women from all over Dorset was overwhelming” said Ali.
The Equation Team like to give special thanks to all those who took part, in particular the candidates, Special Guest Ali Carter, Judging panel Ian Girling (WSX Enterprise), Karen Rickman (Dorset Chamber), Joanna Davis (The Dorset Echo), Nick Maybour (McDonalds Restaurants), Fabrice M'Pollo (Business Mania Director of Entrepreneurship), Rhyannan Hurst (Bournemouth University) and Clive Ozzard (Business Link).
Stephanie plans to launch a Dorset wide ‘Young Apprentice’ style competition in the summer aimed at young entrepreneurs who aspire to run their own business for a £1,000 cash prize.
