Sporting designer already winner

Mar 31 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A FASHION designer has proved her fledgling business is tailor-made to be a sporting success.

Jessica McLean, whose business designs and tailors pre- and post-match uniforms for sportsmen, has won the Business Viability category at Northumbria University’s Business Plan Competition Awards.

Ms McLean was inspired to launch Shirt when her business partner Mike McCarthy – a player for Connacht Rugby Club in Ireland – struggled to find shirts to fit him. The fashion marketing graduate launched her company on the back of advice from the Enterprise Campus at Northumbria University and just three months into trading she has already received her first major order.

The entrepreneur, who won a £1,000 prize at the awards, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be walking away with the Business Viability Award and it is an honour to receive it from the Enterprise Campus team which has invested so much support in helping me to launch my business.

“The prize money will definitely go to good use. I haven’t decided exactly what I am going to spend it on, but it certainly will be put back into the company.”

Enterprise Campus business partnerships manager Roger Candy said: “Although we had many impressive entries, Shirt stood out as an obvious winner, demonstrating an impressive combination of business acumen and fashion design talent.

“Our student entrepreneurs have yet again seen an exceptional level of support from the local business community and our team is sincerely grateful for all their continued encouragement over the past year.”