Equation are proud sponsors of the Open 4 Business Awards 2012 'Inspirational Young Person' category. Having been finalists, winners for two years and on the Board of Directors in 2011 to 2012, Open 4 Business Finance Director Stephanie Pettitt said she felt it was the obvious choice was to sponsor the new category.

Equation are passionate about promoting entrepreneurialism in the local and wider community and in particular, encouraging young people to believe in themselves, get working and follow their dreams.

Stephanie says" It's important to include the 16-25’s in the Open 4 Business festivities. Nurturing the talents of the next generation is essential as they will directly contribute to future economic success and may even go on to become the next Lord Sugars! “I'm thrilled to be sponsoring this particular award. It gives the 16-25 year olds the opportunity to be involved in these fabulous local business festivities and meet and mix with some of the most successful business people in Dorset.

The winner of the £20,000 prize was selected through an ‘Apprentice’ style competition after entrepreneur Stephanie Pettitt called upon people with passion, enthusiasm and marketing savvy to enter her Win Your Own Business competition – which married The Apprentice with Dragons’ Den.

Finding a Bright Star!

After an intensive online application, 32 candidates were whittled down to 6 finalists, who delivered their pitches to the judging panel. The prize franchise went to budding entrepreneur Anna Ward, a second year marketing student from Bournemouth University who defeated five other determined finalists for the life changing opportunity. Her inspiring and well researched pitch astounded judges with her confidence and in-depth understanding of Equation’s values and spirit.

Surprise Second Prize

In addition, a one year work placement was offered as a surprise second prize to Kajal Bakrania after her impressive, infectious and persuasive pitch to the panel. Anna will complete a seven week intensive training course in preparation to launch her Equation franchise which will offer the full range of Equation accounting packages and services.

Employment Boosting

Director of Equation Franchise, Stephanie Pettitt, said she ran the competition to combat the “doom and gloom” of the unemployment crisis and get people thinking about starting their own businesses again. Stephanie said “I am on an absolute mission to encourage people to believe in themselves and start their own businesses from their creative ideas.”

Award Winning Restaurateur Ali Carter

The winning prize was presented by multi award-winning licensee and restaurateur Ali Carter. “Seeing these amazing young people pitch so professionally and confidently in front of a prestigious judging panel and room full of accomplished businessmen and women from all over Dorset was overwhelming” said Ali.

Young Apprentice

Stephanie plans to launch a Dorset wide ‘Young Apprentice’ style competition in the summer aimed at young entrepreneurs who aspire to run their own business for a £1000 cash prize. For more information please contact stephanie@equation-uk.co.uk or phone 01305 769739.

Special Thanks

The Equation Team like to give special thanks to all those who took part, in particular;

The Candidates:  Anna Ward, Kajal Bakrania, Sonia Travaglini, Craig Elliot, Joe Prior and Vicky Pocock.

Special Guest Ali Carter

Judging Panel: Ian Girling WSX Enterprise, Karen Rickman Dorset Chamber, Joanna Davis The Dorset Echo Nick Maybour McDonalds Restaurants Fabrice M'Pollo Business Mania Director of Entrepreneurship, Rhyannan Hurst Bournemouth University and Clive Ozzard Business Link

Managing Director Stephanie Pettitt spoke on Bournemouth radio station ‘Hope FM’ about why she is offering such a generous prize to the lucky winner of her Apprentice style competition.

Don’t be afraid of the impossible

Stephanie sad “Growing your own business can be hard work, but with enthusiasm and an iron will to succeed, it can be hugely rewarding.

When I was setting up Equation I was told the idea of a modern, vibrant accountancy was ludicrous, because it was the exact opposite of the traditional image of accountants. Four years later, Equation is a thriving ‘next generation’ accounting firm operating branches in Weymouth and Poole and serving clients across the globe through cloud technology.

I started out in business when I was quite young and did not find a mentor to help realise my dreams until I was 30. That is why I am looking for a ‘bright star’, someone who is personable and determined, with a desire to deliver outstanding customer service. I want to give one exceptional individual the opportunity to start their own successful enterprise.

This is a genuine life-changing business opportunity. By entering the competition you really have nothing to lose, and you could win an income for life”

Equation presented at the Bournemouth University just after Apprentice Kimberley Davis about the benefits of franchising and their staggering success rates.

Stephanie said “Franchises have a 95% success rate, compared to a 50% success rate for new independently owned businesses, half of which fail in their first year.

She went on to explain the concept of the business prototype, which forms the basis of the Equation business model, inspired by the globally successful McDonalds franchise chain.

“A written system is the very thing which differentiates your company from the competition and ultimately protects the unique way you do what you do. It also ensures you provide a consistent, reliable service, whilst your staff provide the all essential, personal touch.

Even if your business is not suitable for replication, without doubt, every business can benefit from having an operations manual, a ‘way of doing things’ a system, processes for your staff to follow. It becomes the very foundation of the expectations of the service you deliver. And people buy from you based on their expectations”

The Dragons are lining up for their big day in the Den where they will pick the lucky winner of the £20,000 business start up prize from six hopeful finalists. The shortlisted finalists will pitch their ideas in a ‘Dragons Den’ style judging panel during ‘Global Entrepreneur Week’ on 16th November to be held at the Executive Business Centre at the Bournemouth University.

Judges include Karen Rickman of the Dorset Chamber, McDonalds Entrepreneur Nick Maybour, Stephanie Pettitt, Managing Director of Equation Franchise, Ian Girling of WSX Enterprise, Fabrice Polo of the Bournemouth University, Business Mania Entrepreneurs Group and Joanna Davis of the Dorset Echo.

Judges will start the judging at 1pm on 16^th November n the Executive Business Centre and will deliberate on the same day to pick the lucky winner. The successful candidate will receive the £20,000 start up package along with a hot air balloon PR launch, tickets to the DBA gala dinner and all the equipment, training, branded stationery and support they need to get started on their business venture.

Local businesses attended a free seminar on 4th October 2011 to discover what they could be missing out on in the new technological world and, more importantly, how to turn technology to your advantage.

Social Media

Andrew Knowles, of Writecombination, shared some of the experience he’s gained through building a copywriting business using social media. Business owners discovered what works and what doesn’t, and why business marketing is becoming more about winning advocates than writing advertisements.

The Web

Paul Weeks, of Digibug, gave an informative talk on why effective websites are more than just a mix of graphics and text. He shared proven strategies for guiding customers to your website and advice about how to steer them gently but firmly to the checkout once they’ve arrived.

The Cloud

Stephanie Pettitt, of Equation Accounting, told of her secret for building a business that’s portable, scalable and successful – despite having almost no visible means of (IT) support. She opened attendees eyes to the possibilities and potential offered by today’s technology.

If you would like to book the above speakers for an event, please contact stephanie@equation-uk.co.uk

Equation are offering a prize worth £20,000 to a budding entrepreneur. If you’re passionate, driven and have a burning desire to run and grow your own business, then you already have the attributes we are looking for in the winner.

The Winners Package worth £20,000

• Equation franchise (RRP £14,750) to be operated in the Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset or Hampshire area.
• Equipment and software, including laptop with preloaded software, scanner and printer.
• Branded stationery, business cards and PR materials
• PR launch campaign to get your business off to a flying start
• One year’s membership to your local Chamber of Commerce
• Dedicated support team to help you establish your business
• Tickets to the Dorset Business Awards Gala Dinner

Looking for a Bright Star

Stephanie Pettitt says "I started out in business when I was quite young and did not find a mentor to help realise my dreams until I was 30. That is why I am looking for a ‘bright star’, someone who is personable and determined and with a desire to deliver outstanding customer service. I want to give one exceptional individual the opportunity to start their own successful enterprise"

How to Enter

Entrants must fill out an online application form, submit a franchise growth plan and marketing strategy and write a short piece on what it would mean to them to win. Six successful finalists will then be asked to pitch their ideas to a ‘Dragon's Den’ style judging panel during ‘Global Entrepreneur Week’ on 16th November to be held at the Executive Business Centre at the Bournemouth University. To enter, please visit www.equationfranchise.co.uk

Equation's Poole office, located on the ground floor at Arena Business Centre, is our first 'cloud’ operated office and runs entirely on a virtual IT network. Whilst it’s in every way a real office, with real furniture, our systems, programs and data are held in one central 'cloud' location and can be downloaded on demand, to any location in the world.

It was this use of cloud technology that enabled the Poole branch to be up and running in just under two hours. The same technology also allows you to access your accounts and financial information from anywhere, to any mobile device, 24 hours a day.

Equation are proud sponsors of the Open for Business Awards 2011 Entrepreneur category. Having been finalists, winners for two years running and on the Board of Directors in 2011, Open 4 Business Finance Director Stephanie said she felt it was the obvious choice was to sponsor new category, the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award.

Equation are very passionate about promoting entrepreneurialism in the local and wider community and in particular, encouraging young people to believe in themselves and get out there and follow their dreams.

“I was thrilled that Open 4 Business agreed for this award to be opened up to 16 year olds to give them the opportunity  to be involved in this fabulous local business festival and mix with some of the most successful local business people.

One of the best days off I’ve had all year was a visit to the All Saints School, Weymouth to be a Dragon for the day for ‘Recycled Dragon’s Den’,  students were split into teams of five and set to the task of designing and creating useful inventions from recyclable items. It was an inspiration to see what the children made, literally out of a box of toilet rolls and a roll of cellotape.  I left feeling enthused and moved by the talent, initiative and creativity of all the children involved.