Manchester celebrates the best young entrepreneurs

Manchester’s King Street was the setting for the NMTF’s National Youth Market, where 22 of the country’s best young traders got the opportunity to sell their wares to the city’s public.

Rose Dyson of Pura Cosmetics was crowned Young Trader of the Year, winning £500, a year’s free NMTF membership and free trading opportunities on two Christmas Markets in Greater Manchester. Four other traders were highly commended and won £100 and the opportunity to trade at one of The Makers Market’s Christmas markets in the city. They were Lauran of Signature Print Design, Abbie form Mamma Made It, Charlotte of Handmade Cosmetics and Abby from That Charming Shop.

Joe Harrison, Chief Executive, NMTF commented: “The NMTF organises the National Youth Market to celebrate young entrepreneurs who trade on our nation’s markets, festivals and fairs. The quality of businesses on this year’s National Youth Market was superb. My personal thanks to all the young people who traded at the event and to the market organisers who support them to trade locally.

“It gives me great confidence in the future of our sector to see young traders like Rose, Lauran, Abbie, Charlotte and Abby, flourishing on their local markets. I encourage market organisers all over the UK to set up youth markets with their local colleges and universities – there’s amazing young talent out there and markets are the perfect platform for them.”

Rose Dyson is also Barnsley Council’s Market Champion

Rose Dyson is also Barnsley Council’s Market Champion and so impressive is her range and presentation of lip balms and scrubs, I assumed it was a franchise. In fact, she makes her vegan, cruelty free, all-natural products herself. At just 17, she has already won an award from Theo Paphitis and was head-hunted by the Dragon’s Den but is too young to appear. She began the company two years ago, whilst at school, winning an enterprise competition. Although she sells online, she loves markets for the personal interaction. Her ethos is: “To make products that are affordable for teenagers like me.” I expect to see Pura Cosmetics Franchises nationwide in the future.
www.puracosmetics.co.uk

Abbie of Mamma Made It hand makes children’s clothing in Yorkshire

Abbie of Mamma Made It hand makes children’s clothing in Yorkshire. At 26, she established the brand in January with the help of The Prince’s Trust. All the designs are her own and the leggings are her most popular line. She has traded at Barnsley and York markets and the NYM worked well for her. www.mammamadeit.co.uk

That Charming Shop is certainly that and Abby has an exciting range of candles, soaps, bath bombs and scrubs which are vegan, ethically sourced and cruelty free

That Charming Shop is certainly that and Abby has an exciting range of candles, soaps, bath bombs and scrubs which are vegan, ethically sourced and cruelty free. Her smells are evocative and many have alcohol scents within them. She has also introduced a range of city inspired scents and is working on one for Manchester. All her products are suitable for sensitive skins but to be doubly sure, she has an unscented range. Abby started the products as a hobby, whilst studying a degree in nursing and biology. Her first market was the Tate Christmas Market in London and she now regularly sells at Salisbury as well as having a vibrant online business.
www.thatcharmingshop.com

Charlotte is 26 and started Hand Drawn World after studying art, fashion and textiles

Charlotte is 26 and started Hand Drawn World after studying art, fashion and textiles. She began customising and designing textiles before moving on to ceramics last year, which she paints and fires herself. This is her second NYM and the new china designs were going down well with customers. She takes her inspiration from memories, things she’s seen and things she likes. As well as selling online, she has traded at markets in London, Buxton, Huddersfield and Manchester.
www.handdrawnworld.com

Lauren of Signature Print Design

Lauren (24) of Signature Print Design, has also had the support of The Prince’s Trust. She started personalising wedding gifts and with a grant from the trust she has brought a printing machine and was busy personalising fellow trader’s aprons at the market. After watching Love Island, she decided to personalise water bottles and these were proving really popular whilst I was there. www.facebook.com/SignaturePrintDesign