Barnsley College Students get taste for business

Guest speakers were invited into the College to exhibit their products and talk about their roles within the industry. The talks covered business start-up, pitching, finding your USP and target market, product development and marketing and branding yourself.

Jess Widdowson, Enterprise Engagement Officer at Barnsley College, said: “I organised this event with the intention of giving students the skills and knowledge to allow them to create their own business.

“Our guest speakers have really begun to plant the business start-up seed in the students’ minds and made them realise that actually they could turn their interests or hobbies into a career. We are giving them a platform to ask questions and consider a slightly different career path.”

One of the guest speakers, Mark Simpson, owner of Oh My Ganache Chocolate, added: “I really wanted to come to the College and give students an insight on how to set up their own business. When I set up Oh My Ganache, I didn’t have this opportunity or someone to talk to about things such as my finances or business planning.

“Colleges are by far one of the most influential places we attend in our lifetimes. I’m really impressed with Barnsley College and how modern its facilities are.”