Wednesday 17 November
As a judge on the Barclays Trading Places Awards, the national celebration of entrepreneurs who have overcome huge barriers to build their businesses, I recently met the ten finalists.
Their stories were powerful, moving and inspirational. Every one had faced huge problems, in some cases multiple problems, and yet they all persevered over years to bring their products to market. As a lifelong admirer of entrepreneurial spirit I was, for my own interest, looking for the commonalities in what drove them forwards and kept them going. For some, it was the support of a partner or a parent. For others, the birth of a child and the need to provide for their family. Some of those who had no such support told me that it was certain professionals that helped them and went that extra mile for them. These professionals included social workers, business advisors, priests, bank managers and charity workers. But other candidates had just gone ahead without any personal or professional help at all.
So I came to the conclusion that there is no one way for entrepreneurs to survive. Support and advice is really helpful, as is having someone to believe in them and have faith in them. But in the end, it is the entrepreneurs themselves who have the drive and nerve to take the risks, shoulder the responsibility and bounce back when things go wrong. That takes real courage and bravery – which very few of us have. So when the awards night takes place later this month, the finalists will be getting the recognition they richly deserve. But they will also be representing hundreds of other unsung entrepreneurs out there who are daily taking risks with nerves of steel and, in doing do, are creating jobs and increasing our country’s prosperity. We should recognise their contribution and applaud them all.
Bernie Morgan
Chief Executive, cdfa
