Mukhtar shows he's super smart

Reporter: Simon Smedley
Date published: 07 June 2018


Ultra enthusiastic Oldham College Business Enterprise students took part in a special 'Dragon's Den'-style event, with Mukhtar Adeyemi eventually going on to secure a maximum £2,000 grant towards his budding clothing company.

The budding entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas in front of an 'expert' panel.

They ranged from an eclectic and innovative mix of clothing brands, healthy drinks, eastern European delicacies, boxing accessories and DJ equipment, amongst others.

The highlight of the day was the success of Mukhtar, who in the second year of his Business Enterprise Diploma.

He secured the full grant of £2,000 to support his ethical clothing brand - ‘Respect’ - which he will continue to grow as he heads to Birmingham University this September to study Business Management.

Enterprise Tutor Mike Jackson-Leafield said: “Mukhtar is an exemplary student who shows exactly what you can do if you are hard-working and professional with a passion to succeed.

"Our course is intended to offer opportunities for students to grow their business ideas in a safe and supportive environment, whether your future career plans are to set up your business when you leave or continue if you progress to University.”

Graham McKendrick, from the OET, was delighted with the event.

He said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Oldham to get the right start on their career path.

"The Trust are looking at helping the future employers of Oldham as much as we can.”

The Trust - in conjunction with funding via a donation from the Stoller Charitable Trust - provides the successful learners with either a starter fund of £250 or the full grant of up to £2,000 for the business that show the most potential and evidence of future success.

At the end of proceedings over £7,000 of funding was provisionally secured by the students after presenting their business plans and ideas to a panel of independent judges.

On the day the college was supported by local business experts Daniel Parker from Forty3Media; Dale Harris from Dream Big Sports; fashion designer Sonia Ayaz and Phil Starr from the Oldham Business Leadership Group who, along with senior staff at Oldham College, acted as the ‘Dragons’ as part of the judging panel.

For more details about the Business Enterprise course and opportunities of working with Oldham College and their Enterprise partners, contact: mike.jackson-leafield@oldham.ac.uk