Business people from around Essex enjoyed a day inspiration, learning and networking at Work Avenue’s Enterprise Expo.
Work Avenue is the community’s leading employment and business support organisation. The Enterprise Expo is its flagship annual event and featured a series of high-profile Jewish business leaders sharing their strategies for success.
The title of this year’s Expo was ‘Customer First, Always’. Explaining the importance of the theme, Work Avenue CEO Debbie Lebrett said: “This isn’t just a slogan. It’s a mindset, a guiding principle and, ultimately, a blueprint for business success.”
The event was organised and hosted by Work Avenue Head of Business Joanna Sadie and Business Adviser Kim Davidson.
Speakers included Bourne Leisure CEO Paul Flaum, Slip Receipts Founder and CEO Tash Grossman, Craig Hartzel of Hartz AI, Social Misfits CEO Rebecca Martin and Nick Rabin, the Founder of Possibility Consulting.
Reflecting on what he has learned at Bourne Leisure – the hugely popular UK holiday business which includes the Haven and Warner Hotels brands – Paul told those gathered: “You must always have a customer-centric mindset, and get your mission and culture right.”
He added: “The good news for those here today is that, due to the transformative nature of new technology, it is much easier for small businesses to disrupt and attack big businesses.”
Just as valuable as the expert-led seminars were the buzzing networking sessions and vibrant discussions that took place during the coffee and lunch breaks.
Attendee Julia Morgan, from South Woodford, runs inclusive personal training company Fit For All.
After 20 years as a special educational needs teacher, Julia created her own small business – spotting the real need within the fitness industry to support those with special needs disabilities.
Work Avenue have supported her on all aspects of the business journey, including with producing a business plan, branding, marketing, cash flow, finding clients, strategy and maintaining focus.
Now 10 months into her business, Julia has built up a number of personal training clients and also runs group classes, including for a local authority. Even more importantly, she is providing a vital service for those with special needs disabilities that isn’t available anywhere else.
Julia said: “I couldn’t have done this without Work Avenue. Teaching is such a controlled, structured and routine career, and running your own business is the total opposite of that – so that support and insight has been vital.
“The Enterprise Expo itself was an inspiring and thought-provoking event. I came away with lots of action points and ideas for my business and had the chance to network with many like-minded people.”
