Prince's trust offers pointers for young entrepreneurs

GEOFF Ellis, chief executive of T in the Park concert organiser DF Concerts, is to be keynote speaker at the 18-30 Enterprise Show, organised by the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT), which has become one of the key events in the business atrt-ups calendar.

The event, to be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 4 February, aims to give youngsters an insight into what it takes to set up and run a business.

The day-long conference, which follows similar events in Glasgow and Aberdeen, will also feature half-a-dozen PSYBT- supported businesses taking part in working groups which will give young people the opportunity to meet young firms and visit their display stands.

The firms will be happy to discuss how they got off the ground and the reality of what running a business is all about.

There will be workshops to answer questions about finance, researching an idea, why business planning is so important and various methods and styles of selling.

Also speaking at the event, which is sponsored by Business Gateway, in association with Shell LiveWire, will be Michelle Mone, founder of MJM International and creator of the Ultimo bra.

Fred MacAulay, PSYBT ambassador and former accountant, will MC the day.

PSYBT director of marketing and communications Margaret Gibson said the feedback from the previous shows was that it was an "incredibly motivating day because it was real people talking about their real experiences. They didn't gloss over how easy business is because they were very honest about it.

"They talked about some of the real difficulties they had to overcome. It is an introduction to what running a business can mean to a young person, but it's a very inspiring way to do it."

The workshops are run by motivational trainers Tree of Knowledge, which will talk about personal barriers youngsters may come across in setting up a business, such as a lack of confidence or low self-esteem.

About 400 delegates are expected at the EICC, following on from 700 in Glasgow and 300 in Aberdeen, making it one of the year's best attended events in the new business start up calendar. To register, visit the dedicated website at www.18-30enterpriseshow.co.uk.