Enabling young people to start and grow their own businesses...

Enabling young people to start and grow their own businesses…

Business Launchpad provides free business counselling and workshops to young entrepreneurs aged 16-30 and is dedicated to transforming young lives through enterprise in London and across the UK. Based in South London. The charity has earned the Social Enterprise Mark for the work they do to support young people in starting and growing their own businesses.

BLP supports young people aged 16 – 30 at every stage of business: whether they need help coming up with or refining a business idea, practical support through the business basics, or even want to turn a business into a social enterprise, BLP is here to help. Their trained business counsellors and wider network of partners and associates provide young people with the motivation and support you need to build and sustain a thriving business.

Since their launch as the Wandsworth Youth Enterprise Centre in 1988, Business Launchpad has supported thousands of young people to set-up and run hundreds of businesses with 85% of the businesses started with their support are still trading after two years – that’s well above the national average!

Peckham Festival is delighted to welcome four of these businesses based in Southwark to Peckham Festival!

Meet Eniola Akinlabi, who graduated from the University of Essex with a first in psychology and is a Youth Associate Lead at Business Launchpad.

What motivates and inspires you?

I’m really motivated and inspired by the stories of people who have overcome trauma and struggle and have then gone on to achieve great things in life. It reminds me that anything I want in life can be mine with humility, resilience and persistence.

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Knowing that my contribution and efforts are of significance to someone. I feel most energised when I know I am helping someone. This could be helping them achieve a goal, supporting them when they are going through hardships or simply listening and reminding them that they have something valuable to offer the world.

What do you enjoy most about working with BLP?

I love the work culture at BLP. Everyone is upbeat, friendly and very pleasant to be around. It makes coming into work something to look forward to and is the perfect environment for productivity and some fun.

Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?

I’ll put my hands up and admit, I am a glass half empty kind of girl but I’m working incredibly hard to change my tendency to see the negatives in a given situation. I’m incredibly passionate about personal development and self love and I’d say I’m definitely on a journey and learning how to have a more positive, “glass half full” type of outlook on life.

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