A BUDDING entrepreneur has made a good start by impressing Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones.
Bethany Taylor scooped the Student of the Year award while studying as an apprentice the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy’s (PJEA) own apprenticeship course run at Warwickshire College in Rugby.
The 17-year-old business student received her award from the multi-millionaire Dragon himself at a glittering ceremony in London in front of hundreds of guests.
Bethany, who lives in Binley Woods, received the award after being nominated by fellow students for demonstrating key entrepreneurial qualities – from individual hard work to being a team player.
Bethany said: “I wasn’t expecting to win. When they called my name to say that I had won I was in shock because I didn’t think that out of all of the other colleges that it would be me.
“It means more because I was voted for by my peers and tutors and this has shown me that they have confidence in me and made me realise what I have achieved over the last year.”
Bethany’s first entrepreneurial ambition is to open a boutique selling evening and prom dresses.
She added: “I see my career going in two different directions. Initially I want to set up and run my own business, then once I have gathered some hands on experience I would like to come back to college and have the opportunity to teach and share my experiences with others.”
Hannah Price, Business and Enterprise Manager on the PJEA course at Warwickshire College, was full of praise for Bethany.
She said: “Bethany is a model student and is an example of what a PJEA student should encompass. She is an all-round engaging and positive individual to have on the course and we are so proud of her achievements.”
Warwickshire College offers a range of business courses, including the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy course at Rugby and Leamington. Visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk/courses for further information.
