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Dream High strengthens with Waves Enterprise merger
Source: Tour Business E-Zine
Two of Merseyside’s most well-respected enterprise groups have merged in a deal that will give fledgling businesses an even stronger platform of support.
Dream High and Waves Enterprise, who have helped hundreds of businesses in east Liverpool and south Liverpool respectively, have joined forces and will come together under the Dream High name.
The combined entity will service the needs of business across the East, Central and South Liverpool areas and monthly panel meetings will be held across the region.
The newly merged organisation will be able to offer free, confidential advice to local entrepreneurs, regardless of sector or experience. Dream High consists of an enterprise facilitator .is backed up by expert volunteers from the local business and resident communities.
It is this aid from business and community leaders that marks the new Dream High out as a particularly useful resource. Specialists on hand to offer free advice range from chartered accountants to manufacturers and leading marketers. The theory goes that no entrepreneur has all of the skills necessary to do everything by themselves, so by using the experts at Dream High they can plug gaps in their knowledge and get the help necessary to kickstart their business.
One of the remarkable trends in Dream High is its cyclical nature. Many of those who come for help with their business have eventually found themselves on the other side of the table, advising other entrepreneurs. A great example of this is Nick Taylor, managing director of e-blueprint and outgoing Chairman of Dream High.
At an event to celebrate the merger on Tuesday, Nick said: “I first came to Dream High as a man with an idea. I knew that I wanted to start this business but didn’t have the background or support until I came here. Immediately I was helped by a simple model, which looks at three areas of the business; finance, marketing and the product or service that you offer. The remarkable thing was that, for the first time, I was talking to people who genuinely wanted to listen to my ideas; and had the know-how to help me realise them.
“I’m now fortunate enough to be in charge of a successful business, doing work that I’m passionate about. After e-blueprint got off the ground I was invited to join the panel here and eventually become Chair. It’s a fantastic feeling to be giving something back to local start-ups. As well as that though, being a panel member opens up a fantastic network for your own business; you’re dealing with industry leaders from across a range of sectors, which has opened doors for me and many others.”
The story is similar for the incoming Chair, Nickie Smith, of Smith Lavelle Training Ltd. Having been a Waves panel member in her previous role, Nickie then became a client when she launched her own business, and 3 years later, has become Chair of the new Dream High, proving how valuable our clients find the process in supporting their businesses.
One local entrepreneur who has benefitted greatly from the service is Tom Donohue, an artist who specialises in prints of musical icons. He said: “Art is my passion, and I had been producing work since I was very young. However, I’d never considered turning it into a business. One day I was in a café on Penny Lane talking to a plumber who had seen my work hanging up in there. He told me to go and speak to Dream High, whose services he had also used.
“Now I’m lucky enough to have turned my pastime into a business, which I run alongside my full-time job. Some of my most popular are pictures of music idols such as George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix. I also accept a lot of commissions, and recently painted a couple in the style of Alice in Wonderland for their wedding. Five years ago I would never have expected to be in the position I am; it’s strange how chance events like meeting that plumber in the café can start a chain of events that completely change on your life.”
Dream High exists and is so successful because of the contributions made by the local business community, whether offering expertise or a financial boost. They are encouraging other enterprises or business leaders to get involved with the project in any way, and help the organisation continue to grow.
For more information, please contact Debbie Elliott Brown on Debbie@dreamhigh.org.uk or call 07776 188 279.
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