What makes a business successful? How do you start one? And how do you stay afloat during the most challenging of circumstances?
Whether you're at a crossroads in your career and searching for inspiration; needing advice about the current job market or looking to take the plunge and start your own company, How They Made It (Through) will feature nuggets of advice from those who have been through it all.
Angelica Malin, Editor in Chief of About Time magazine, will interview young Jewish entrepreneurs about the stories of their success and how their businesses survived COVID-19. Each entrepreneur will share insights into how their team responded to this crisis and what lessons they learnt during lockdown.
You'll be hearing stories and tips from James Gold (Skinnydip London), Laura Jackson (Popcorn Shed) and Joel Kern (Make Believe). You can read their biogs below.
So come along and join us for an evening of socialising, networking and the opportunity to ask questions to the team.
This series is generously supported by Genesis Philanthropy Group.
Entrepeneur Biogs■
James Gold
James Gold, co-founding Skinnydip with his brother and best friend in 2011 with an idea of building a fashion, lifestyle and accessory brand, has taken the industry by storm. Turning the ‘phone case’ into a must-have accessory, not only has Skinnydip doubled in size year-on-year but now operates 250 retail locations in over 30 countries - including the American and Asian markets. Gold alongside his co-founders have organically grown the business to a team of over 50 people whilst its loyal social media followers of over 600,000 has transformed Skinnydip London into an internationally recognised and religiously followed brand
Laura Jackson
Laura Jackson is a self-proclaimed foodie with food being a central part of her life and family traditions for as long as she can remember. Her passion for sharing her food creations began at the age of 9, selling homemade slush puppies to neighbours during a hot summer. Laura sold fudge at food exhibitions during her time at university, and her first job as a graduate “in the real world” was walking the streets of London and ‘cold calling’ face-to-face in restaurants and cafes selling iced coffee (during what turned out to be one of the wettest summers on record!). Laura worked as a management consultant for a large worldwide consultancy firm for over 6 years, consulting for a number of FTSE 100 companies. Her entrepreneurial endeavours have included club nights, singles dinner parties and weekends away for young professionals and a pop-up bakery. Laura was nominated for Brummell’s ‘Ones to Watch’. For the last 4 years Laura has been popping up a storm building her gourmet popcorn empire Popcorn Shed. Creating wild and delicious gourmet flavours that you can only dream of that are stocked in leading retailers like John Lewis, Ocado and Harrods.
Joel Kern
Excited by strong minds, inspiring communities and building companies that create an impact. Joel started his first business at the age of 12 and has never looked back. At 14, he produced his first show raising £10,000 for Charity. At 15 he launched Make Believe starting with five students. The company now teaches thousands around the world. In recognition of Joel’s achievements, the Federation of Small Business chose him as the South East Region Young Entrepreneur of 2014. A purpose driven, ideas enthusiast who believes that with a dream and a focus, anything is possible! Excited by strong minds, inspiring communities and building companies that create an impact. Joel started his first business at the age of 12 and has never looked back. At 14, he produced his first show raising £10,000 for Charity. At 15 he launched Make Believe starting with five students. The company now teaches thousands around the world. In recognition of Joel’s achievements, the Federation of Small Business chose him as the South East Region Young Entrepreneur of 2014. A purpose driven, ideas enthusiast who believes that with a dream and a focus, anything is possible!
