Leeds Catalyst

Vintage Bo'tique by Ringlit*

Laura Butler has been a member of myCatalyst^TM centres for over six months and is going from strength to strength.  She has her own Fashion line – Vintage Bo’tique by Ringlit specializing in vintage scarf tops, denim and leather pieces – as well as offering a Made-to-Measure commissions service and a range of accessories.  Laura describes her clothes as ‘sexy cool’ one-off designs and can produce a great look for any occasion. 

Laura joined the Catalyst because she needed the connections to get into business for herself, and having the support of others in the same boat has helped her to keep motivated and strive for what she wants.   As Laura puts it, myCatalyst^TM, “spoke to me and I could see the opportunity to open doors I thought would stay closed forever”. 

After working with our resident Business Advisor, Balbir Sembhi, Laura has got a clear plan of action to turn herself into a top fashion designer.  At the moment she is testing out her market and methods of distribution and next year she will have the information she needs to produce a business plan and really start flying.  Laura has found that producing one-off pieces, though her preferred style of working, is not profitable enough to base her whole enterprise on.  She is looking to design a range of mass-produced ladieswear aimed at 15-30 yr olds and get her designs out in boutiques and fashion fairs across England. 

One of the difficulties Laura has had is reaching a broader spectrum of people - the portfolio she is working on will show people that you don’t have to be a model size 8 to look amazing!  Laura is also working at Tiger 11 in Hillside as a way of giving back to the community and help save funds to put into her business.

Since joining myCatalyst^TM Laura has taken part in three fashion shows and has had radio and newspaper publicity.  She has trialled markets and fairs in Leeds and Sheffield and will continue to sell her wares at the Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair, which will be rolled out across Nottingham, Newcastle, Lincoln, Liverpool, London etc. next year. Vintage Bo'tique by Ringlit* is also now available to buy in DARE Boutique, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, HD8 0RU.  http://www.ringlit.co.uk

Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009

Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009 Thursday 7th May 2009 Saviles Hall, The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

Are you bowled over by some of the talent you have seen in the Yorkshire digital and creative sector? Perhaps you work in the sector itself, and feel the project you are working on at the moment, or the piece of technology you are developing, really needs wider attention. Even if you don’t work directly in the industry, perhaps you have seen a mind-blowing website that establishes a new benchmark in quality, or a new digital equipment you think could really make a difference to our lives or the way we do business.

Whatever your situation, if you wonder why so many companies still seem to think they have to go to London for creative work done when so much excellent work goes on up here, then the Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards are for you. Whether you are in the industry or just an interested observer, we want to hear from you.

This successful awards programme, now in its tenth year, acknowledges and promotes digital companies in Yorkshire and the Humber who are really pushing the bar in creativity and technological prowess. There are clearly benefits to winnng too. Huddersfield-based Liquid Accounts, for example, won the Best Application of Internet Technology category in 2008. “Winning that has really given us a boost,” says marketing director Lisa Kendrick. “It has opened up a number of doors for us, and it has given us the confidence to go on to bigger and better things. Finally, it was a great do that allowed us to let our hair down and celebrate three years of hard work.”

Here at Insider we think it’s really important to talk up the importance of the creative and digital sector at a time like this as well. Too much of what the industry does in this region is still taken for granted, yet the possibilities of what the industry could achieve – both for itself and for the regeneration and future development of Yorkshire as a whole – are enormous.

That’s one reason why this year we are introducing a new award for best new talent*. The award will be open to any student in their final year of study on a creative or digital course in a Yorkshire
 institution who can demonstrate by their project work and their ideas that they really are the “next big thing”. We want to be first to give them recognition and make them aware too that there is plenty of work on offer up here in Yorkshire.

So do you need any more reasons? Why not enter now?

How to Enter

Entries are open to any digital company that is based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Please be aware that companies will be restricted to enter a maximum of two award categories. The awards categories are:

Best Web Design Company sponsored by Yorkshire Forward
Best IT Consultancy 
Best Business to Business Website sponsored by NYnet
Best Business to Consumer Website
Best Application of Internet Technology sponsored by Yorkshire Forward
Best Digital Start Up sponsored by Barnsley Digital Media Centre
Best Game sponsored by Screen Yorkshire
Best Entertainment Site
Best e Learning Initiative
Best Application of Mobile Technology sponsored by 4iP
Best New Talent sponsored by Leeds College of Art & Design

If you wish to submit an entry to the Awards, without any further obligation, please click here for a nomination form. *We will not be seeking formal nominations for the Best New Talent award. These will be sought individually from college tutors. 
Entries Close: Friday 6th February 2009 

Attending The Dinner

Based on response to the black tie dinner/disco last year we expect an audience of over 300 and demand for tables to be high. Therefore early booking of tables is advised. Table reservations will be held pending payment and will be booked on a first come first served basis. Please click here for a table booking form and return it to us as soon as possible to secure your table.  

Should you require further information regarding the awards or the dinner itself, please call Lynda Craig or Helen Rangeley on 0161 907 9704 or email[email protected]. 

Yours sincerely

Rupert Cornford, editor, Insider

myCatalystTM Xmas and New Year Opening Times

December MyCatalyst Event

Good Afternoon

I would like to invite you to the December myCatalyst™ event!

Key speaker Nigel Gorski will be discussing:

The challenges facing the SME

 Planning  - why bother?

  What good planning can look like - the numbers are the result not the dictator!

  The Planning Game

This is going to be a wonderful networking event that gives you practical and invaluable advice with the opportunity to network in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

I hope to see you there on what will be the last myCatalyst™ business networking event of the year! This event is something not to be missed and is just the tip of the iceberg for what we have planned for you going forward in 2009!

If you would like to attend, then please confirm your place to me by responding to this email. If you have any questions or queries then please give me a call on 07718982546.

This event is free to event paying members.

Non Event Paying Members: £15 plus vat. Payment from January onwards will need to be made three days in advance.

YOU MUST CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE IN ADVANCE.

Kindest Regards
Chandra

P.S keep an eye out for your monthly myCatalyst™ newsletter!

*Rise Catalyst
  Brooklands View
  Seacroft
  Leeds
  LS14 6SA

Binary Vision Event

What Do You think? True accounts from myCatalyst™ members...

Lyndsay Din
Lyndsay Din photography

Why do you use the myCatalyst™ space?

I love the quite and calm environment to work in. Knowing that you are going somewhere great to work, outside of your own house, means that when you are at home, you can relax and spend quality time with your family instead of hunched over a computer on an evening.

What in particular do you like about using the myCatalyst™?

The friendly staff and open space. It’s really comfortable and non-            threatening but professional at the same time. The fact is that help is there if you want it is great! You can have as much or little/non-involvement as you like. Everything you need as business is there.

How does using the myCatalyst™ space help your business?

It gives me the freedom to work properly; I can have the space needed to focus.

What does the myCatalyst™ offer that you don’t get anywhere else?

You see that people are genuinely interested in and care about you as an individual. I get a sense that I belong.

Andrew Helm
Lattitude33

Why do you use the myCatalyst™ space?

It’s an opportunity to get out of the 'office'.  As a home based business it is important to change the surroundings.

What in particular do you like about using the myCatalyst™?

Chance to bounce ideas off people.  Coffee on tap! Having a wireless network throughout the centre.  Having an advisor/mentor there to talk to and discuss the way ones business is developing.

How does using the myCatalyst™ space help your business?

Chance to meet potential clients through informal networking in the space.  Need to make sure you use it regularly so as to continue to bump into people and forge relationships.

What does the myCatalyst™ offer that you don’t get anywhere else?

What I think is the USP of catalyst is that, if you use it weekly, you get to see your mentor regularly and sound them out about things. You will also see familiar faces and forge relationships with people.

Keith Harris
Downsfield

Why do you use the myCatalyst™ space?

Good quality office space, easy to use and are in very convenient locations!

What in particular do you like about using the myCatalyst™?

The friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere makes sure that you always have a good experience of your time in the centres.

How does using the myCatalyst™ space help your business?

Someone is always there to bounce your ideas off! It is great for networking and connecting with a good range of other businesses and business leaders

What does the myCatalyst™ offer that you don’t get anywhere else?

The best easy to use space and value with an opportunity to promote your own business

Norman Collins
Carringtons

Why do you use the myCatalyst™ space?

It is very convenient to meet clients there. You are in professional, comfortable, plush surrounding.

What in particular do you like about using the myCatalyst™?

The myCatalyst™ have great parking access, friendly and helpful staff, lovely fresh coffee and the chance of being able to make new leads

How does using the myCatalyst™ space help your business?

The myCatalyst™ are convenient and easily accessible and a great place to meet your clients

What does the myCatalyst™ offer that you don’t get anywhere else?

Easy parking, great coffee and friendly staff

Not a member yet? Why not?

If you have any questions or queries about becoming a myCatalyst™ member then please call me on 07718982546 or email me at [email protected]

Venturefest Yorkshire Investment Competition

Business Link - Lets Talk Business Drop in Session with Tina Boden from ATL Yorkshire Ltd

Tina is a familiar face around the catalyst centre; every month she holds drop in sessions at the Rise and Hillside centres.  ‘Lets Talk Business’ is a great opportunity for those individuals who are keen to explore their business ideas and develop their self-employment career opportunities.  The sessions also offer further information on what to do next and how to move your idea forward. 

ATL are a not-for-profit organisation that work with minority groups to connect enterprise and diversity.  In her own words Tina is a “complete catalyst convert,” preferring the informal accessibility of the Rise centre to the other, more typical office buildings.  Tina understands the importance of connections and is looking to develop partnership work and promote the work of ATL across the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

If you would like to register your interest for ‘Lets Talk Business’ call the Business Link Customer Information Centre on 08456 048048.

Upcoming sessions @ Hillside:                                             

December 10^th 2008 10-12am

January 21^st 2009 10-12am                           

February 25^th 10-12am                   

March 25^th 10-12am                           

April 15^th 10-12am

May 20^th 10-12am                            

June 17^th 10-12am

July 15^th 10-12am                           

August 19^th 10-12am                           

September 16^th 10-12am

October 21^st 10-12am

November 18^th 10-12am

December 16^th 10-12am

Upcoming sessions @ Rise:

December 12th 2008 10 am -1pm

January 30^th 2009 10am - 1pm

February 12^th 10am – 12.30pm

March 19^th 10am – 1pm

Upcoming sessions @ Shine

January 8^th 2009 10am – 1pm

February 5^th 10am – 1pm

March 6^th 10am – 1pm

Saturday 6th December Event at Brewery Wharf

Download Artsmix eflyer

Download flyer for details

Arts Market Every Sunday in Leeds - Christmas Shopping

Download Artsmix 33 Ad