Local Female Alumnus Scoops Top Entrepreneur Prize In Enterprise Challenge
The University of Hertfordshire has once again, helped an aspiring entrepreneur expand their business through flare, our annual Enterprise Ideas Challenge.
The business
Heaven is a cupcake is a bespoke cupcake company that was launched in 2010, by 26 year-old Humanities graduate, Lucy Clark. Differing from the ordinary cupcake, Lucy’s creations are not only delicious but unique works of art that are well known within the Hertfordshire region.
In the same year as her company’s launch, Lucy was awarded the ‘Local Gem’ title in the St. Albans Food and Drink Awards and received the Highly Commended ‘Local Gem’ a year later. In 2011, Lucy was shortlisted in the Hitched.co.uk 2011 Wedding Awards for ‘Best Upcoming Cake Designer’ and built business links with major household names such as retail giant Tesco and Land Rover. Her products have also appeared on television shows Big Brother UK and Holby City.
But Lucy wanted to develop her business further and so entered flare 2011/12.
The business challenge
From 178 initial entrants, Lucy made it to the final eight before being presented with the coveted title of ‘flare, Entrepreneur of the Year 2012’.
The Dragons’ Den style contest requires entrants to register, before the competition is then split into three sections
- Round 1 – submit a summary of your business idea
- Round 2 – write a business plan for your idea
- Round 3 – present a short elevator pitch to a panel of judges, followed by a question and answer session
How the University helps flare was developed by the University seven years ago as a way of giving budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their bright business ideas off the ground. The competition provides entrants with a range of training workshops and initiatives that will support them every step of the way.
Entrants can plug into a real enterprise network with the help of:
- Enterprise Knowledge workshops
- Enterprise Spotlight speaker events
- Access to the Enterprise Incubation Centre
- Free one-to-one business advice from mentors
The results
It was Lucy’s entrepreneurial approach to her business alongside her vision and clear ability to build strong business links that truly impressed the judges. Her innovative use of social networking to promote and develop her rapidly increasing brand ‘Heaven is a Cupcake’ was deemed a testament to a natural and great business mind. Her future plans to extend the brand with online cookbooks and master classes as well as her vision to rival established brands such as the Hummingbird Bakery, secured her the top spot in the competition.
On winning flare, Lucy said: “I couldn’t be happier. This is great recognition of Heaven is a Cupcake and the work I have put into it to make it a success. The prize will really help to further the business.
There will be lots of exciting changes coming and it’s all thanks to flare and the University. I’ve worked incredibly hard over the last six months of the competition and when they said my name I just couldn’t believe it. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Lucy was presented with a cheque for £10,000 at the flare awards ceremony held on Friday 18 May 2012. In addition to her cash prize, Lucy will receive business consultancy and mentoring from competition sponsors Exemplas and flare judge Dan Kendall of SanGen Systems. She will also receive one year's membership to the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and office space in the University’s Enterprise Incubation Centre.
Julie Newlan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise) and Director of Marketing and Communications said: “There is a real need for entrepreneurial thinking and activity to support and grow our economy and the University’s flare competition is committed to driving this.
“The standard of this year’s competition has been nothing short of exceptional and Lucy is a deserved winner. She should be extremely proud of her achievement and I have no doubt that she will go on to do great things with this investment.”
Find out more
flare gives University of Hertfordshire students and graduates the opportunity and support to boost their business ideas and grow their start-up companies.
Contact the Enterprise Team
Visit the flare website