📹 Aaron Jones

I was honoured to be the first person under 30 to be be honoured for services to Fashion. More specifically the only person to be given a BEM for services to Ethical Fashion.

http://web.archive.org/web/20160610000919/http://mtvvoices.com:80/en/2014/10/roaring-20s-10-20-somethings-changing-world/

A partnership between Camden Council and the Camden Business Board saw 146 businesses attend an awards ceremony, compered by Joel Hills, Sky TV’s Business Correspondent.

The evening celebrated the success of Camden businesses and recognised the contribution they make to the local economy and communities.

The winners of the ten categories were announced by Sky TV Business Correspondent Joel Hills. Councillor Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council provided the opening address… Show more

A partnership between Camden Council and the Camden Business Board saw 146 businesses attend an awards ceremony, compered by Joel Hills, Sky TV’s Business Correspondent.

The evening celebrated the success of Camden businesses and recognised the contribution they make to the local economy and communities.

The winners of the ten categories were announced by Sky TV Business Correspondent Joel Hills. Councillor Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council provided the opening address and Chris Shaw, Outgoing Chair of the Camden Business Board provided the closing remarks. The Leader, together with Councillor Valerie Leach, Cabinet member for regeneration and growth and Councillor Phil Jones, Cabinet member for sustainability, transport and planning, presented the awards to winners.

Councillor Valerie Leach, Cabinet member for regeneration and growth, said:

“Camden is home to a huge variety of businesses and we are determined to do everything we can to increase employment opportunities, create and harness conditions for economic growth and reduce inequality.

“I’m really pleased that we are able to give credit to the vital role that local businesses play in providing sustainable economic growth in Camden. All the businesses that were nominated, not just the winners deserve our thanks and congratulations.”

Twenty two year-old Aaron Jones won the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category. Aaron’s eco-friendly fashion accessories company provides sustainable employment for disadvantaged people both in Cambodia and in the UK. Aaron said:

“Winning Camden business awards is proof that Welsh people are amazing.
I hope that my business will inspire young people and encourage them to not just start business but build them on an honest; ethical foundation of integrity, something I think the UK needs more of.”

http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/press/2013/november-2013/and-the-winners-arecamden-business-awards.en;jsessionid=5420FDB5578C0547A501024987E5A3BE Show less

The Future 50 Awards recognise the success of young entrepreneurs aged 20 - 35 who demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture.

The Future 50 Awards are part of the Future 100 programme organised by Striding Out CIC. From the Future 50 award winners we will select five exceptional entrepreneurs to become the Ernst & Young Future 5.

The aim of ‘Future 50’ is to celebrate & support the achievements of the young entrepreneurs who… Show more

The Future 50 Awards recognise the success of young entrepreneurs aged 20 - 35 who demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture.

The Future 50 Awards are part of the Future 100 programme organised by Striding Out CIC. From the Future 50 award winners we will select five exceptional entrepreneurs to become the Ernst & Young Future 5.

The aim of ‘Future 50’ is to celebrate & support the achievements of the young entrepreneurs who have demonstrated an innovative approach to advancing a socially responsible business venture. These candidates are the pipeline to a brighter future and a better tomorrow.

The winners of this prestigious title will be invited to join Ernst & Young’s Accelerate network, this will offer them access to events which encourage networking, learning and sharing.

The future of our world is in the hands of individuals like the Future 50 and the Ernst & Young Future 5, who are committed to generating commercial and ethical returns and by aiding and supporting their advancement we are creating stability in vastly challenging and uncertain economic times.

At a celebratory reception on the 23rd May 2013 we will celebrate the 2013 Future 50 award winners and announce the Ernst & Young Future 5 award winners. These exceptional young entrepreneurs will be recognised on the night for their achievements and be matched with an experienced Accelerate mentor to support their future development.



http://www.future50.co.uk/ Show less

Shell LiveWIRE, the UK's biggest online community for young entrepreneurs aged 16-30.
Established in 1982, the Shell LiveWIRE programme offers free online business advice and start-up awards of £1,000 and £10,000 funding to young entrepreneurs in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Fikay Eco Fashion is a simple concept with a huge impact. The customer buys one ethically made recycled bag or related product and the business will donate up to 50 bricks to building… Show more

Shell LiveWIRE, the UK's biggest online community for young entrepreneurs aged 16-30.
Established in 1982, the Shell LiveWIRE programme offers free online business advice and start-up awards of £1,000 and £10,000 funding to young entrepreneurs in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Fikay Eco Fashion is a simple concept with a huge impact. The customer buys one ethically made recycled bag or related product and the business will donate up to 50 bricks to building projects in producing communities. The company pays a fair competitive wage to local villagers who create the bags out of locally sourced recycled materials, so not only do the producers get a fair and reasonable wage, but they also have the opportunity to learn valuable skills that permit them to have a sustainable, effective way to get out of poverty. The ethical collection is then sold to Fikay’s customers. The mission is to design, manufacture and sell inspirational, hope-inspiring fashion that is high in quality. Fikay is currently in partnership with Topdeck Travel, TNT Travel and Rough Guides, and they plan to launch an eco fashion tourism internship where fashion students and individuals can go on a fashion adventure and impact every part of production.

http://www.shell-livewire.org/alumni/grand-ideas-award-winners/2013-winners/2013-march/aaron-jones/


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Fikay was joint winner of a small competition virgin media pioneers was running to find the best social enterprises in thier network for good week 2012. We won a mentoring session with Duncan Goose, the founder of one water.

when you buy a bottle of water from these guys, not only is the water 100% British (bottled in Wales), but 100% of our profit is donated to fund water projects in Africa.

I was put forward by peers and university lecturers and made the final 3 short-list during my first year of university. I was recognised as demonstrating an outstanding commitment to student entrepreneurship during my time as vice president of Southend enterprise society.

A new community of the UK’s most promising young entrepreneurs will be unveiled at next week’s Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), it was revealed today.

Intuit 100Up – the brainchild of accounting software provider Intuit – brings together 100 high-potential young start-ups, selected from the higher and further education sectors.

Launching a talent search at the National Student Enterprise Conference last weekend, NACUE asked applicants to submit a 150-word ‘elevator pitch’… Show more

A new community of the UK’s most promising young entrepreneurs will be unveiled at next week’s Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), it was revealed today.

Intuit 100Up – the brainchild of accounting software provider Intuit – brings together 100 high-potential young start-ups, selected from the higher and further education sectors.

Launching a talent search at the National Student Enterprise Conference last weekend, NACUE asked applicants to submit a 150-word ‘elevator pitch’ outlining their business or business idea, from which the final 100 were chosen.

The Intuit 100Up community, which is a co-venture with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and builds on its Business In You campaign, will meet for the first time at the GEC in Liverpool, where they will be accommodated by Intuit.

There they will have the opportunity to share their views on entrepreneurship with business and enterprise minister Mark Prisk at an evening reception, as well as benefiting from the Congress’ other business-boosting events.

Prisk expressed his excitement about meeting the talented community today, saying: “Encouraging young entrepreneurs is vital to the future economic success of the UK and it’s great to see so much enthusiasm by young people to get into business.

“The Business In You campaign provides a showcase to inspire the next generation of start-ups and growing businesses and the Intuit 100Up provides an opportunity for innovative entrepreneurs to become their own success story.”

Pernille Bruun-Jensen, UK MD of Intuit, added: “Intuit 100Up is an exciting new way to shine a light on the exceptional entrepreneurial talent of Britain’s students. We hope it will serve as a launchpad for Britain’s aspiring young entrepreneurs, giving them the kick-start they need to transform their business ideas into reality.”

http://startups.co.uk/intuit-cherry-picks-100-start-ups-for-gec-showcase/ Show less

Fikay was picked as one of the final 12 pitched out of hundreds of entries to pitch to a panel of business experts. I lead a team of 3 and although we didn't win we were highly recommended.