Business mentoring helps design student scoop award

A SHEFFIELD design student who won £5,000 in a major city business competition has praised the accountants who mentored her.

Netty Reddish, from Matlock, beat off competition from more than 80 entrants to win Sheffield Hallam University’s Enterprise Challenge.

Now in its eighth year, the event aims to discover potential entrepreneurs and help them turn their business ideas into reality.

The metalwork and jewellery student runs an arts and education company called the The Design and Make Bus.

The business travels around schools, community groups and fairs to teach young people about arts and crafts.

As part of the competition, Ms Reddish accessed practical business advice from Mick Warwick of South Yorkshire accountants Hart Shaw. The firm has also given her £1,000 worth of financial advice as part of her prize.

She said: “This has been a brilliant experience, but I don’t think I could have done it without the help of my business mentor. Whilst I may be good at developing a strong idea, finance is my weakness.

“Mick went through everything with me, helping to formulate accurate financial projections which were key to helping me win this competition.”

Ms Reddish and five other finalists, all students or recent graduates, faced a gruelling test of nerve and business acumen in front of a panel of judges, drawn from prominent local businesses.

She was presented with her prize by The Big Issue magazine founder John Bird at a glittering awards night in Sheffield.

Mick Warwick, business advisor at Hart Shaw’s property advice service team, said: “Sheffield has a reputation for being a hot bed of entrepreneurship, but often finance is the last thing young innovators want to tackle, when really it should be one of the first.

“Netty had a fantastic idea, but just needed some help proving to the experienced panel of judges that financially, her business idea was a winner. I am sure the advice I have given her will play a big part in her business’ sound financial future.”

Sara Pates, enterprise development officer at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Every year the Enterprise Challenge gets bigger and better and the quality of this year’s entrants was superb.

“But we wouldn’t be able to offer so much specialist advice if it wasn’t for external businesses like Hart Shaw, who offer invaluable guidance to the entrepreneurs.”