Rising to the challenge
Apr 14 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
AMONG the Tees Valley entrants so far to take up the Challenge are:
Who: Gary Eccles, pictured right
How old: 50
Does what: Head GPE Land and Estate builders, Marton
What’s the big idea: Among the 23 he’s come up with so far, he plans to launch Idea2Business - a dating agency for “serial ideas” people like himself and franchisors.
What does he say: “I am always punching above my weight and have ambitions probably above my station but will never give up.”
Who: David Maloney, pictured right
How old: 39
Does what: Like the previous If We Can, You Can winner for the Tees Valley, David, who comes from Redcar, is a firefighter with the Cleveland service.
What’s the big idea: David has already started his own company Elfsec Solar after training as a renewable energies installation specialist and wants to take the company further.
What does he say: “People warned me the business would never take off, but I persevered and got the qualifications I needed. Lots of people are telling me they’re looking to invest in green energy, because their money’s not gaining any interest in the bank and they feel as though they’re doing something good.”
See also Page 12
Who: Christine Filmer-Sankey
How old: 47
What’s the big idea: Christine describes herself as an “accidental entrepreneur” who fell into starting her own business after leaving Cleveland College of Art and Design. Her vision is to create a sustainable bespoke fashion firm using materials sourced from the North-east.
What does she say: “We work hard, constantly networking, contacting people, sourcing fabric, having an ambition to do something that we want to do and that we have pride and belief in.”
Who: Hannah Burns
How old: 20
What’s the big idea: Having made a fruitless trek to Ireland for work, Hannah returned to Middlesbrough to start her own children’s fancy dress and themed party planning service and now has ambitions to open a string of North-east outlets.
What does she say: “We are very determined with a lot of drive. We like to take a challenge and reach our goals.”
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