Young Enterprise Orkney are appealing for members of the business community to come on board – Shannon’s story

Young Enterprise Orkney has been helping equip students with additional entrepreneurial skills for years.

The voluntary group has restarted following a two-year gap and is looking for volunteers from the business community to share their expertise by joining the local area team.

Their knowledge can help guide and support students from Kirkwall Grammar School, Stromness Academy and Orkney College to set up and run their own Young Enterprise companies.

We have a number of former students who have shared just how important Young Enterprise has been in their lives.

Shannon Foubister is a previous Young Enterprise student at Orkney College UHI, who now runs her own successful business Brough Bakes.

“I studied Young Enterprise the Stepping Stones course at Orkney College UHI.  Stepping Stones was a very beneficial course for someone like myself who struggled focusing in school and didn’t get the most out of it.  During this our class worked as colleagues within a business rather than classmates, and we created a successful small business within Orkney. From discussions and planning to advertising, creating new products and selling them in the public we all worked together in various areas to help it become a success.”

Through this, Shannon discovered an interest in business and hospitality and went on to study NC Administration within Orkney College UHI – all part of her plan to create a successful business of her own.

“Now at the age of 20, I run a very busy home-bakes business called Brough Bakes located in Orkney. Taking home-bake orders for delivery or collection seven days a week all year round, running a catering trailer throughout summer or catering for various events. Going back to the skills I developed in Young Enterprise, I now use these most days. I am always planning and thinking ahead for something new to expand the business. I believe the success of this business is largely in thanks to Orkney College UHI for providing me with these lifelong qualifications, skills and confidence throughout various courses but mainly the Young Enterprise. 

“If you get the chance to take part in Young Enterprise, I couldn’t recommend it more. It gave me a taster session of what it’s like to run a business. The tough times and the successful times, the work involved and the general process.”

Interested members of the business community are asked to contact Young Enterprise Orkney by email.