The Prince’s Trust is hosting its first-ever public Black Pound Marketplace event on June 23 and 24, at Battersea Power Station.
The youth charity’s Black Pound Project was founded by the trust to raise awareness of and champion young Black entrepreneurship.
This first public event in the newly restored grade II listed power station will celebrate and showcase young, Black owned businesses, who set up their enterprises with support from the Trust’s enterprise programme.
This will be the second Prince’s Trust marketplace to be hosted and will showcase over fifteen Prince’s Trust-supported businesses, bringing together young Black entrepreneurs from a number of backgrounds, showcasing a variety of products from candles to apparel, food, accessories, skincare, stationary and more.
Nero Ughwujabo, senior strategy adviser for equality, diversity and inclusion at The Prince’s Trust said: “We are incredibly proud to host a marketplace at Battersea Power Station to mark the third anniversary of Black Pound Day.
Read more: 6 black-owned start-ups run by women you should know about
“Our Black Pound Project at The Prince’s Trust, itself in its third year, aims to champion and celebrate young Black entrepreneurship and by supporting and shining a light on small Black-owned businesses that have been supported by The Trust.
“The initiative aims to give young people a platform, as well as the resources and opportunities to make their businesses a success. We are honoured to work with Battersea Power Station to profile these young Black businesses and show what can be achieved with access to the right support.”
Here we shine spotlight on five entrepreneurs who are finding success in their businesses:
Georgia Leslie - Coconut Palm
Georgia Leslie runs Coconut Palm, a sustainable clothing and homeware business that uses off-cuts and second-hand fabrics to create beautiful new clothes, homeware and accessories. Inspired by her family’s love for sewing, Georgia specialises in children’s clothes.
Ms Leslie said: “My family, both the British and Caribbean sides, are creative. My Mum was a seamstress, and she taught me everything that her Mum taught her – and her Mum before that! My Grandma in Barbados has always sewn too – it’s in my genes. So, starting Coconut Palm, my sustainable clothing and homeware business, felt natural. I now use off-cuts and second-hand fabrics to create beautiful new clothes, homeware and accessories – and I love it!”
Patrick Ulta – The NO.1 Face
Patrick Ulta founded London streetwear and lifestyle brand The NO.1 Face in 2006. Mr Ulta is a 2 x British universities boxing champion, international motivational trainer and speaker.
Mr Ulta said: “I believe that clothing is a great form of expression. Through THE NO1 FACE, my aim is to create clothing and accessories that promote self-awareness and build self-esteem.
“We are known for our statement Trusts No.1 caps, our attractive, simple and bold clothing designs.”
Kyle Frank – Franks' Remedies
Launched in 2020 by first time entrepreneur Kyle Frank, it was his personal experience that led him to scour the world for plant-based ingredients such as aloe vera and tea tree that had more potency when grown naturally, then devise formulations that effectively cleared his spots and scars.
Becoming his own customer and focus group, he first created the products, hand making them in his dad’s kitchen.
Two years on, backed by independent testing and verification, London-based Frank is forecasting a £350,000 turnover next year.
Mr Frank commented: “Having developed acne later than my peers, it was a difficult and lonely time navigating what skincare was and how I could help my skin. I decided to take matters into my own hands and embarked on my own journey to create a natural, kinder solution.
“Speaking to dermatologists, pharmacists, skin experts, reading antiquated literature from the 1800’s & researching how other cultures around the world approached acne. I then got formulating! I launched Frank’s Remedies to help others who suffer with a similar experience and seek a real solution.”
Ola Olayinka – Ola Ola
OlaOla is a textile design studio, by Ola Olayinka, which creates bold and unique patterned accessories, homeware and stationery.
The patterns are inspired by nature, the abstract and the use of colour and pattern in Ola’s Nigerian heritage. All products are printed and either hand-made or locally produced in the UK.
OlaOla has now extended into offering textiles workshops and Ms Olayinka acts as an associate lecturer at the University of The Arts and director of The Fashion School.
She commented: "I'm a textile designer who creates bold and unique patterned accessories, stationery and homeware. All the products are either handmade or locally produced and everything is printed in the UK. The designs are inspired by nature, the abstract and the use of colour and pattern in my Nigerian heritage."
Maggie Ibiam - Nwanne Home
Nwanne Home creates cruelty-free and sustainable, quality candles and home fragrances. Its range of candles are hand poured in London, using only soy wax and 100% pure essential oils. Our glass vessels effortlessly complement any home decor, and can be repurposed for use once your candle has finished.
Ms Ibiam said: "I began making candles for myself in the midst of the pandemic as an act of self-care and out of curiosity. Fast forward, to over one year later I have turned my passion for wellbeing, sustainability and fragrances into a business - introducing Nwanne Home! I'm proud to say that every product in my collection is 100% organic and natural. My candles, wax melts and diffusers are available in five fragrances and only scented with 100% pure essential oils, (ingredients all sourced locally). Hand poured in London, made with love."
Sarah Banham, head of sustainability and communities at Battersea Power Station Development Company said: “The last Prince’s Trust marketplace at Battersea Power Station back in March was a great success and we are delighted to be partnering with the charity again to support and showcase young, Black owned businesses as part of the Black Pound Day celebrations. We are very much looking forward to welcoming the stallholders to the Power Station and encourage everyone to come down to see their products and show their support.”
Stallholders are all young people who have been through The Trust’s Enterprise programme, which helps young entrepreneurs to explore and realise their business ideas. The programme has helped more than 90,000 young people to set up their own businesses since 1983.
