Running a community network to bring together young entrepreneurs aged 18-30.

The community network will exist online and within geographical communities, to bring together young entrepreneurs to network socially and professionally. The network is a unique resource in the UK, it will reduce the feeling of isolation and connect individuals who are like-minded and keen to work together to achieve success. Bringing together young entrepreneurs will enable a collaborative exchange of information and knowledge to nurture peer to peer learning and support. Members of the network will pay an affordable fee, which will generate income to ensure the network is sustainable for the future. We look to encourage and integrate disadvantaged young people, within the network, working closely with the Princes Trust.

Providing a range of personal and professional support services for young entrepreneurs

A range of personal and professional support services will be provided to entrepreneurs to help them develop their skills and pursue their objectives. These services will be charged at an affordable rate for young entrepreneurs. Surplus income will be reinvested to manage and expand the development of activities and services for our target group, across the UK, and we will look to invest in growing our inhouse-expertise in the future to generate income. Priorities for future investment will be advised by our Sounding Out Team and Strategic Advisers, as well as qualitative and quantitative evidence we have collected internally and externally during the course of our research and activities.

Supporting young entrepreneurs within disadvantaged areas and integrating them within the mainstream network.

Striding Out will work with grass-root organisations to deliver support and training for aspiring young entrepreneurs in deprived areas. We look to provide work experience, inspiration, confidence, and support for young entrepreneurs who face multiple disadvantage, through mobilising peer to peer guidance and support amongst the Striding Out network. We aim to connect young entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and experiences to encourage knowledge exchange and learning. We intend to support both community, social and commercial enterprises, and raise awareness about entrepreneurial solutions to situations of need.

Striding Out is committed to working towards the Sustainable Business Challenge set by us on a monthly basis. We believe as a small organization that every little bit counts, so we try our best! The Challenge started in March, so this is what we have achieved so far�.

• Recycling for the Community
  We collect plastic milk bottle lids, print cartidges, mobile phones and used stamps for Naomi House. Naomi House offers a safe, caring and loving environment for terminally ill children, who are unlikely to reach adulthood. They provide respite care and support for the whole family during both good and difficult times. To find out more about Naomi House visit www.naomihouse.org.uk
• Sourcing Environmental Packaging and Products
  Striding Out has actively sourced its printing requirements from printers using sustainable sources, suppliers include Kent Art Printers. We have also purchased recycled stationary and merchandise from sources such as e.g. Remarkable for events and The Big Leap Competition.
• Tapping in Student Talent and Providing Valuable Work Experience
  Striding Out has provided eight students with valuable work experience from high school and Universities across London, in the areas of marketing, social accounting, education, event management and administration.
  Heather Wilkinson, the Founder of Striding Out also delivers talks for a range of Education Enterprise Initiatives to School and University Students. Initiatives include Young Enterprise UK, University of Dreams, Bright Sparks etc.
• Supporting a local or national charitable cause, by fundraising or offering inkind support.
  In-Kind Support � We encourage all of our employees to engage in supporting a charitable concern, to offer their skills in helping others. We currently work with Young Enterprise UK to mentor a group of secondary school students who are developing a business.
  In-Kind Fundraising - Striding Out has hosted a charity pamper evening for CLIC, a charity supporting young children with Leukemia and Cancer. In September 2007 we are planning a charity fashion show with our members.
• Engaging in Local Community Development
  During July 2006, Striding Out applied its business experience to help a community become more efficient and entrepreneurial. Striding Out got in touch with the Regeneration Officer at Wychavon District Council, the location of our Extreme Weekend in the Cotswolds. We had 14 talented entrepreneurs on our weekend, spanning the expertise of branding, hospitality, marketing, disability etc. so he had a pool of knowledge to draw on. The Regeneration Officer identified a project that we could undertake to aid them in the development of their tourist economy. The local village of Broadway is a honey-pot for tourists but there are a number of concerns in relation to the visitor experience. He asked us to investigate these areas in further detail, and to identify new ideas and opportunities to enhance the tourist experience. As a result of market research and brainstorming, the two teams came up with a report of their findings and proposals for enhancing the tourist experience of Broadway. To see the teams in action visit Striding Out Extreme
• Disability Awareness
  Under the DDA, small to medium sized businesses have to make �reasonable adjustments� so they do not discriminate against disabled customers or employees. The Department of Work and Pensions has put together a Better Business Checklist for small businesses to anticipate what the need to consider and we are currently working towards meeting these standard, working closely with our Disability Consultant Simon Stevens.
• Using Ethical Venues and Suppliers
  Striding Out actively seeks to use venues that are responsible and ethical to maximize our social impact. We have used a number of social enterprise venues including The Hoxton Apprentice, Fifteen Restaurant, the Candid Arts Trust, and the Hub on a regular basis, and we have used organic caterers such as Skye Cooks.
• Managing Employee Relations
  Striding Out ensures their employees are treated with respect and that their needs are met professionally and personally. Employees are treated throughout the year with perks such as massages, meals and trips. Alongside this they are provided with an opportunity to continue their professional development through accessing training internally and externally as need/demand requires to ensure they retain high quality skills and knowledge in their profession.