Win a prize package worth

£5000
up
to

Enter
the Challenge.
Get inspired. Be inspiring.
All sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds entered last
year’s competition. You don’t have to be a unique thinker,
you don’t have to be a genius and you don’t have to be a born
risk taker. You just have to have the vision to see how you
could do something better, the passion for what you do and the
determination to make it work.
✁

INSPIRED BY ENTREPRENEURS FORUM

What is ‘If we can, you can’?
A growing online community of people in the North East who are sharing their entrepreneurial experiences, helping and inspiring
each other and those who are thinking about their own entrepreneurial potential and ambitions.

What is the challenge?

A competition with a difference.
It’s a bit of a cliché but everyone who enters the Challenge is a winner - not only because they’ve had the courage to enter but also because
they’ve taken the first steps to connecting with an incredibly valuable peer group who could help progress them on to the next level.

Our Media Partners

We’re delighted that for the third year running our media partners are backing the competition and making it their own - which provides
huge benefits, creating valuable publicity for entrants and promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of the North East.
 “People often ask me whether entrepreneurs are born or made. I think that a lot of them are born with
certain entrepreneurial traits within their personalities, which are then developed over time.
People can be made into ‘better’ entrepreneurs the same way that a good footballer can be coached into
a better one. With the right help, advice, guidance and mentoring they can become a more accomplished
business person. It has to be there to begin with, but there’s definitely room to flourish.”

Paul Callaghan, The Leighton Group.

Why should I enter?

Become a part of the community
Everyone who enters will benefit from being part of a growing community of entrepreneurs who are sharing their knowledge
and experience, inspiring each other to expand their horizons and driving forward to achieve their vision - that’s what
‘if we can, you can’ is all about.
At the campaign’s heart is its website, www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk which seeks to provide its members with inspiration,
learning, mentoring and exclusive entrepreneurial insights. When you’ve completed your entry form, visit the website, browse
the profiles and read the inspiring stories of North East entrepreneurs.
As an entrant to the Challenge, you will have your own profile on the website and will be entitled to full community member status.

Media coverage + increased public profile

Last year we generated a huge amount of valuable regional newspaper coverage through our media partners for those who
entered the Challenge - so it’s a great opportunity to promote your business.
Each of our entrants’ stories was not only unique but served as an invaluable source of inspiration to everybody who read them,
no matter how far along the entrepreneurial journey they were.
This year is no different, and all the media are geared up and ready to feature new stories. Entering the Challenge does not
guarantee that you’ll get your picture in the papers but you stand a much better chance than if you don’t enter at all!
This year, our seven media partners are the Hexham Courant, the Evening Chronicle, the Sunderland Echo, the South Shields
Gazette, the Northern Echo, the Hartlepool Mail, and the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette. When you fill out the entry form,
remember to tick which is your most local newspaper.

‘Pick Our Brains Opportunity’ Panels

The chance to talk to others who’ve been there and done that is the bricks and mortar of the ‘If we can, you can’ campaign and the
Entrepreneurs’ Forum. The ‘Pick Our Brains’ panels are an opportunity to discuss your business ideas with senior Entrepreneurs’
Forum members.
The entrepreneurs on the panel have a dual role. All are experienced North East entrepreneurs who are there to give you advice
and guidance on your business, or business vision (a sort of friendly ‘Dragons’ Den’). But, inevitably, they are also there to decide
the ‘final two’ who will go head to head in our public vote to be crowned the winner (X Factor style).
The panels are an informal, confidential and nurturing environment so there’s no need to feel intimidated.
And then of course, there’s the chance to win the prize!

INSPIRED BY ENTREPRENEURS FORUM

The winners 2009

Steven Smith Rob Earnshaw Ralph Thompson Louise Bell

The Prize
There will be seven overall winners (one for each media region) who will all win the following:
• Be crowned the face of North East Entrepreneurship 2011 - you will spearhead next year’s campaign, appearing in ongoing
campaign advertising and publicity
• Business surgery - you will receive a ‘money can’t buy’ surgery to help benefit your business, giving you wide access to
senior Entrepreneurs’ Forum members and other senior entrepreneurs across the region
• A business gadget
• A workshop and business services package - worth up to £5,000
• 1 year’s free membership of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum
• Ongoing advice - qualified support, signposting and advice on potential sources of finance.
All finalists will also receive a place at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum Annual Conference on the 20th May worth £250

New for 2010

Supporter of the Year
We want to recognise the people behind the entrepreneurs - and the invaluable role they play in keeping you motivated when times get
tough and pointing you in the right direction, opening doors and giving you the space to focus on what’s important.
The Supporter of the Year might be a friend or partner, your parents, a mentor or your business adviser - from your business support
agency, your bank or even from the professional services.
So when you enter, we’d like you to nominate someone who’s helped you - and why you think they deserve the award.

Rural Entrepreneur of the Year

Working in partnership with the Country Land & Business Association
(CLA), we want to find the hidden gems out there in the many rural
communities that make up a large part of the North East.
Working in exactly the same way as the main Challenge, we are looking
for inspirational stories from aspiring, emerging and
established rural entrepreneurs and we will be officially crowning the
2011 Rural Entrepreneur of the Year. INSPIRED BY ENTREPRENEURS FORUM
 Ray Liddell Ian Smith Craig Smith Esther Dingley

“The ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge has massively transformed the business, to the extent that
it’s made things possible which I thought were unachievable. I hope this continues and
I hope that I can give a fraction of what I’ve received back in any way I can.”

Steven Smith, Winner 09

“Without the help and support of ‘If we can, you can’, I wouldn’t have had the confidence
to build my business as quickly as I have. They have put me in touch with people and
businesses that I probably would never have approached.”
Louise Bell, Winner 09
“Winning the ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge gave me a good 12 to 24 months head start in business.
I’ve become someone who’s recognised in the business community and that’s a huge help.”

Matt Stirland, Winner 08

“Being involved with the Challenge has had many positive effects on my business.
It has given me the opportunity to mix with like-minded people, which is great for
someone like me who usually works alone.”
Rosie Willett, Winner 08
“The ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge was the catalyst I needed to finally go through with my
dream of running my own business. As I typed in my details I had no idea of the exciting twists
and turns my life would take. When I was chosen as a finalist for my area I was overjoyed and it
gave me the confidence, once I won, knowing the people of Hartlepool were behind me too.”

Michelle Taylor, Winner 08

INSPIRED BY ENTREPRENEURS FORUM

Who’s it for?
Some entrepreneurs start straight from school or university, some when their life changes through having children or being
made redundant, some don’t get started until they have already had lengthy careers.
Some are highly qualified and some have no qualifications at all. You don’t have to have a unique idea, you don’t have to be a
genius and you don’t have to be a born risk taker.
The Challenge is open to anyone who has thought about starting their own business or who has already done it.
You can enter if you fit any of these descriptions:

✁
Thinkers - you’ll have an idea and are looking to turn it into a viable business opportunity.
You’re probably ready to take the first steps to making it a reality.
Doers - you’ll have taken the plunge and be working hard to get your business off the ground.
Growers - your business is established, but you’ll have identified new opportunities to make it grow.
You’ll be developing plans to maximise potential.

How is the competition judged?

It’s all about you.
OK so you’ve got to have a business or an idea that’s viable but you don’t have to have achieved staggering success or be
turning over millions.
You’ll be judged on your vision, passion, determination - and you’ll prove to us that, whatever the challenges, you’ll do
everything you can to make your dreams a reality.
When you enter, we’ll ask you to share your story - what makes you tick, what’s brought you to this point in your life,
what drives you, the challenges you’ve faced and the ambitions you’re working towards.
The teams who make up the ‘Pick Our Brains Opportunity’ panels will shortlist two finalists in each media region and, in true
X Factor style, we then open up a public voting period. That’s the time to get your friends, family and colleagues mobilised -
and make sure they all know how great you and your business / idea are.

The Format
There’s a period of 8 weeks for entries to the Challenge. Opening date for entries is 12.01am on Monday the 8th March, and
the closing date for entries is midnight on the 3rd May 2010
· We’ll then select a shortlist of 5 entrants from each of our 7 media regions who will be offered the chance to meet our
‘Pick Our Brains Opportunity’ panel (which makes 35 shortlisted entrants overall). For more information on the nature of
the panels, please see the ‘Why should I enter?’ section.
· There will be two days of panels, taking place across the region, on the 7th May and the 10th of May so make sure
you’re not on hols for those dates!
· 5 will become 2, as the judges will decide from the panels which 2 entrants from each media region will go into the ‘Final’
and we’ll open up our X Factor style public vote - via text and email (and good old fashioned post or even carrier pigeon
for those who don’t do technology). We’ll go into more depth on the finalists and their businesses - interviewing friends
and families and encouraging them to blog about their experiences.
· The judges’ scores from the panels will be combined with the public vote, and the finalists with the highest combined
score will be crowned the ‘Face of Entrepreneurship 2011’. Each media region will have their own winner, so there will be
seven winners in total.

How do you enter?

You can enter online by visiting www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/challenge or you can fill in the entry form at the back of
this leaflet and send your answers to:
Stephen Green, Entrepreneurs’ Forum Ltd, Suite 21 John Buddle Work Village, Buddle Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 8AW
Or you can email your answers to Stephen@entrepreneursforum.net - whichever method is easiest for you!
 ENTRY FORM INSPIRED BY ENTREPRENEURS FORUM
✁

First name............................................................................ Last name ..............................................................................

Male Female Date of birth: d/ /m /y

Address ..............................................................................................................................................................................

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............................................................................................ Post code ..............................................................................

Is this address your Home / Business / Both (please circle)

Phone .................................................................................. Mobile ..................................................................................

Email .................................................................................. Occupation ............................................................................

Employment Status - Employed Unemployed In education Running Own Business

Tell us about your background

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Tell us about your vision and ambitions

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Please provide a brief overview of your business / business idea

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Please send your completed form to: Stephen Green, Entrepreneurs’ Forum Ltd, Suite 21 John Buddle Work Village
Buddle Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE4 8AW
Or you can email your answers to Stephen@entrepreneursforum.net - whichever method is easiest for you!
What gives you confidence in your business or idea?

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Why would you like to win the ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge?

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Entrepreneur Stage - Thinker Starter Grower

Media Region - Hexham Courant Evening Chronicle South Shields Gazette Sunderland Echo

Northern Echo Hartlepool Mail Middlesbrough Evening Gazette

Where did you find out about the Challenge -

Business Support Agency Local Press Local Radio

College or University Online Word of Mouth Social Media Other ............................................

As part of our ‘Supporter of the Year’ recognition award, please nominate a person (and the organisation they work

for if appropriate) who has helped you on your journey and how they have impacted you/your business

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Hobbies

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Marital Status - Single Married Civil partnership

Children - Yes No

Education - Postgraduate Degree A-Level GCSE None

THE LEGAL BIT...

We will not pass on your personal details to any other organisation without your consent for any purpose other than running the competition. We will keep you up to date with the progress of the
Challenge via our e-newsletters, but you may unsubscribe from these communications if you wish. The closing date for entries is midnight on the 3rd May 2010. The first ‘Pick Our Brains’ panel
✁

will be held on the 7th May, the second will take place on the 10th May. We regret that we cannot confirm neither the panel shortlist nor timings before the 3rd of May (the entry deadline) so
please try and keep these dates free. After the panels have taken place, the judges will determine two finalists out of the five panel shortlisted entrants, who will go head to head in their media
region’s public vote. The final two for each region will be announced on the 13th May. After the 4 week public vote, the seven winners and therefore the 2011 Faces of Entrepreneurship will be
announced on 17th June 2010. Registered in England and Wales No. 4571883