Running from 10am to 1pm, the event brought together some of the brightest young minds in business alongside accomplished speakers who offered powerful insights, candid experiences, and practical advice to the next generation of business leaders.

The Speakers

Kicking off the speaker lineup was Emy Bohorquez from Rebel Business School, who shared compelling stories of young people who had taken part in the Rebel+ programme and turned their learning into real-world success. Emy’s message was clear: with the right support and mindset, anyone can build a thriving business no matter their background or starting point.

Next up was Harrison Cantel, founder of H Creative, whose personal and professional journey struck a chord with many in the audience. Tracing his path from early challenges to building a successful creative business, Harrison emphasised the importance of authenticity and visibility in entrepreneurship. He left the crowd with a powerful takeaway: “You can give knowledge away for free, as it’s often the implementation where people need the support, and through sharing that knowledge, your potential customers know you are someone they can trust.“

The morning wrapped up with an exciting and eye-opening talk from Mat Parkins, founder of The AI Guys, who explored how artificial intelligence is transforming the way small businesses operate. From AI-powered automation to virtual business assistants, Mat demonstrated how technology can free up time and boost creativity, giving entrepreneurs more space to innovate. He also offered a glimpse into how AI could revolutionise everyday digital experiences in the near future.

NEEB’S Support for Young Entrepreneurs

In addition to the speaker sessions, Penny Calder from NEEB presented a range of invaluable initiatives available to young entrepreneurs across the region. These include the Rebel+ programme, Earniversity, free market stalls, and seed funding through local young trader schemes—all aimed at removing barriers and supporting early-stage businesses.

The event was more than just a learning opportunity; it was a vibrant networking space where budding entrepreneurs made valuable connections and left feeling empowered to take their next steps.

The North Essex Economic Board Chairman Cllr Ivan Henderson, who attended and welcomed our participants said “It was fantastic to celebrate the innovation and resilience of young people from North Essex, and I loved meeting them and learning about their entrepreneurial ventures. It was a very successful and informative event, I’m sure those young people who attended will have gone away with plenty to think about; all part of our strategy at NEEB to support prosperous and inclusive communities, and develop skills in the region.”

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale your idea, North Essex is proving to be a fertile ground for young enterprise—with events like this laying the foundation for a new generation of business leaders.

For more information on the programmes mentioned, visit:
https://neeb.org.uk/home/young-entrepreneurs/