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Bdaily’s top 10 Yorkshire entrepreneurs of 2014

Bdaily presents the Yorkshire region’s bright and innovative entrepreneurs, whether they are big or small, have just started or are dab hands in their field, we feel that these are (some) of the best in Yorkshire.

1. Sophie Jewett, York Cocoa House

To start off our list of homegrown talent is York-based Sophie Jewett.

After a £25k investment, Sophie expanded her hobby into an ethical, traceable chocolate company in the old heartland of the confectionary industry.

The business now has 24 staff, and Sophie is working on expanding the brand even further under the tutelage of Di Burton of Cicada Comms.

2. Donna Fenn, Remade in Britain

Donna Fenn, founder of a UK first online ‘upcycling’ market business thoroughly deserves a spot in Bdaily’s top 10.

The business, which is based in Knaresborough is bang-on trend as ‘upcycling’ has been championed by celebrities including Kirstie Allsopp, Kevin McCloud and Livia Firth.

Having just launched, the business already has 300 retailers signed up and has the backing of entrepreneur Max McMurdo, the mastermind behind reestore which received backing on TV show Dragon’s Den.

3. Matt Cheshire, The Needs Group

The Needs Group, founded by Matt Cheshire in 2004 has only gone from strength to strength since.

Matt grew the business to £3 million turnover after attending Leeds College of Music, and now has clients including Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Biffy Clyro, Global Gathering, Glastonbury as well as a string of sporting stars and celebrities.

The firm is now opening an office in Gloucester and is planning a move Stateside with an expansion into Las Vegas - which couldn’t be more fitting for a high roller like this Yorkshire entrepreneur.

4. Claire Toole, Bridal Emporium

27-year-old Claire Toole, a Leeds Art & Design school graduate, set up her own business after working for 3 years in the wedding industry.

Now based in Leeds’ Grand Arcade, Claire’s Bridal Emporium only stocks British and independent designers as well as vintage gowns.

The new entrepreneur’s aim is to become a franchise business with a number of shops around the UK, stocking British designer brands as well as dresses made from dressmakers just like Claire within the shop.

5. Paul Hill, ManShed

Paul Hill overcame serious adversity, losing his eyesight and facing redundancy to launch his own video production agency, and if that doesn’t deserve a tip of the cap, I don’t know what does.

Halifax-based Paul had been in digital marketing for 10 years but lost his job after he lost his eyesight due to a degenerative eye condition, known as Myopic Macular Degeneration.

Out of this, his video production company, ManShed was born. The startup, rooted in Paul’s film hobby, has done work for Canon UK, London Fashion Week, John Smedley, Cancer Research UK.

6. Razan Alsous, Yorkshire Dama Cheese

A former refugee from Syria, Razan, who has a background in microbiology, launched Dama Cheese from a small factory outside Huddersfield.

The business was set up so Razan could provide for her family and was launched with the help of the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency.

Razan no doubt belong on our Top 10, overcoming adversity and seeing a gap in the market where no one else had definitely qualifies her as a top Yorkshire entrepreneur.

7. Andy and Rachael Higgins, Healthy Life and Wild Oats Café

Skipton entrepreneurs Andy and Rachael Higgins wanted to increase their business interests in the town, and diversify their portfolio, as they also own Billy and Bertie’s gift shop.

With help from NatWest they acquired the vegetarian Healthy Life Café and plan to employ more people and invest in a revamp of the gift shop and eating establishment in the near future.

Andy and Rachael lead the way in Yorkshire entrepreneurs within the SME marketplace.

8. Richard Mills, Swellaway

Sheffield entrepreneur Richard Mills went out on a limb when he emailed Manchester Utd. striker Wayne Rooney about his new medical invention, but it paid off when he received several hundred thousand pounds to develop his medical product.

The firm then spent £150k on worldwide patents, with a seven-figure funding deal in the pipeline.

9. Jack Crofts, Vicuna wool firm

17-year-old Jack Crofts, a Peter Jones Enterprise Academy student at The Sheffield College, made headlines with his new venture, specialising in Vicuna luxury wool.

Having won the Edge Challenge with his business plan, he was commended by Deputy PM Nick Clegg and won funding to kick start his idea.

10. Abdul Ghafoor, Abdul’s

Adbul Ghafoor started his business 20 years ago, and recently went on the expansion trail, and now owns diners in Sheffield, Wakefield and Pontefract, with his sights set on Leeds in the near future.

Abdul hit £250k turnover recently and has announced a £20k investment in his facilities.

Abdul came up with the idea to diversify his business beyond a standard takeaway and has only gone from strength to strength since.

If you have any entrepreneurs, startups or innovative new enterprises that you feel deserve a mention, email editor@bdaily.co.uk, or drop us a comment below.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .