News
Dragons Den champion visits Barking to launch 'Hotnet' for local entrepreneurs
29 April 2008
Levi Roots, the charismatic entrepreneur of ‘Reggae Reggae Sauce’, who secured investment for his product whilst pitching to the BBC’s Dragons Den, spoke at the ‘Hotnet’ launch event on 28th April in the Barking Broadway Theatre, to support fresh entrepreneurs in Barking and Dagenham.
The new ‘Hotnet’ service is funded by LEGI (Local Enterprise Growth Initiative) and supported by Knowledge Dock, the University of East London’s enterprise development service. The purpose of the project is to encourage business growth in Barking & Dagenham by helping business-start ups and micro businesses find local hot-desking facilities and support services.
Local entrepreneur Vera Abifarin recently established her own recruitment business, Silver Spring Bureau Ltd, and she believes that ‘Hotnet’ will provide a beneficial service to the local area: -
“Hot-desking is cost effective for a business beginner. It creates room for interaction, which is a good tool for business promotion. I would use ‘Hotnet’ because I have a high hope that the service will add value to my business growth, as well as a good example to those who intend to run their own businesses in the near future within the community.”
Levi Roots played the guitar and sang his ‘Reggae Reggae Sauce’ song to the audience, and then he spoke about his business growth experience and offered advice to the aspiring entrepreneurs.
The audience of nearly 50 people listened intently as he spoke about how his grandmother’s exclusive recipe became a national favourite. He spent many years marketing his product, spurred on by the great feedback he received whilst at the Notting Hill Carnival and various trade shows.
Then in early 2007 he presented his sauce to the panel of millionaire entrepreneurs on the BBC television programme Dragons Den and gained £50,000 of funding from two Dragons Peter Jones and Richard Fairleigh who requested a 40% stake in return. Since then his sauce has been distributed throughout the UK in the main supermarkets and has proved to be extremely popular with consumers.
He advised the audience on the various steps they should take to be successful in business. His advice included assessing the SWOTs and USPs of their business, encouraging referrals, finding a mentor and good lawyer for support and never forgetting original customers.
Randolph Hiles, owner of Barking catering business ‘Randy’s Delight’, was one of the attendees at the event and he felt very encouraged by Levi’s speech and the opportunities presented by ‘Hotnet’:-
"I thought the evening was very informative and helpful to me as a young entrepreneur. Levi's speech gave me confidence and I appreciated his down-to-earth attitude. Despite his success he has stayed true to himself and hasn't forgotten those who supported him in the early days. I also found it very inspiring when one of the speakers Richard Grubb from Blue Carnation talked about how he benefited from hot-desking in the early days of his business. I think Hotnet is a great idea and just the sort of guidance and support young entrepreneurs in Barking and Dagenham need."
Sujata Vaishnav, Hotnet Project Manager, believes Barking and Dagenham has huge new business potential and is excited about the role Knowledge Dock is playing. She said:-
“I am really excited about the new project. I think ‘Hotnet’ is a truly unique initiative taken on by Knowledge Dock. It aims to get out into the community and support those individuals who really want to start their business but are not sure how to pursue it further. Providing local access to hot-desking is surely going to be an added advantage for those who have family commitments and those who are running their business from their own back bedroom at home. Hotnet gives individuals an opportunity to connect to a network of support which is crucial for new businesses.”
Ends
Further information:-
Kate Ashenden
Communications Executive
Knowledge Dock
020 8223 7076
k.ashenden@uel.ac.uk
The new ‘Hotnet’ service is funded by LEGI (Local Enterprise Growth Initiative) and supported by Knowledge Dock, the University of East London’s enterprise development service. The purpose of the project is to encourage business growth in Barking & Dagenham by helping business-start ups and micro businesses find local hot-desking facilities and support services.
Local entrepreneur Vera Abifarin recently established her own recruitment business, Silver Spring Bureau Ltd, and she believes that ‘Hotnet’ will provide a beneficial service to the local area: - “Hot-desking is cost effective for a business beginner. It creates room for interaction, which is a good tool for business promotion. I would use ‘Hotnet’ because I have a high hope that the service will add value to my business growth, as well as a good example to those who intend to run their own businesses in the near future within the community.”
Levi Roots played the guitar and sang his ‘Reggae Reggae Sauce’ song to the audience, and then he spoke about his business growth experience and offered advice to the aspiring entrepreneurs.
The audience of nearly 50 people listened intently as he spoke about how his grandmother’s exclusive recipe became a national favourite. He spent many years marketing his product, spurred on by the great feedback he received whilst at the Notting Hill Carnival and various trade shows.
Then in early 2007 he presented his sauce to the panel of millionaire entrepreneurs on the BBC television programme Dragons Den and gained £50,000 of funding from two Dragons Peter Jones and Richard Fairleigh who requested a 40% stake in return. Since then his sauce has been distributed throughout the UK in the main supermarkets and has proved to be extremely popular with consumers.
He advised the audience on the various steps they should take to be successful in business. His advice included assessing the SWOTs and USPs of their business, encouraging referrals, finding a mentor and good lawyer for support and never forgetting original customers.
Randolph Hiles, owner of Barking catering business ‘Randy’s Delight’, was one of the attendees at the event and he felt very encouraged by Levi’s speech and the opportunities presented by ‘Hotnet’:-
"I thought the evening was very informative and helpful to me as a young entrepreneur. Levi's speech gave me confidence and I appreciated his down-to-earth attitude. Despite his success he has stayed true to himself and hasn't forgotten those who supported him in the early days. I also found it very inspiring when one of the speakers Richard Grubb from Blue Carnation talked about how he benefited from hot-desking in the early days of his business. I think Hotnet is a great idea and just the sort of guidance and support young entrepreneurs in Barking and Dagenham need."
Sujata Vaishnav, Hotnet Project Manager, believes Barking and Dagenham has huge new business potential and is excited about the role Knowledge Dock is playing. She said:-
“I am really excited about the new project. I think ‘Hotnet’ is a truly unique initiative taken on by Knowledge Dock. It aims to get out into the community and support those individuals who really want to start their business but are not sure how to pursue it further. Providing local access to hot-desking is surely going to be an added advantage for those who have family commitments and those who are running their business from their own back bedroom at home. Hotnet gives individuals an opportunity to connect to a network of support which is crucial for new businesses.”
Ends
Further information:-
Kate Ashenden
Communications Executive
Knowledge Dock
020 8223 7076
k.ashenden@uel.ac.uk
