The Elevator Pitch
Twenty enterprising women went straight to the top in a bid to start up their own businesses when they took part in Train 2000's business game, the Elevator Pitch.
The game, which was originally launched by Liverpool's Centre for Women's Enterprise and Employment in 2004, was held again on 8th March 2005, International Women's Day. 20 women competed for the chance to win five prizes of £500, by pitching their business ideas whilst taking a 440ft high speed ride inside the elevator at Radio City Tower.
Short-listed competitors, who had been chosen to take part after showing true entrepreneurial flair in the application process, had just two minutes to pitch their business idea to Train 2000's Executive Director, Maggie O'Carroll, whilst taking a ride in the fast moving elevator.
And, after reaching the dizzy heights of the top of the tower, each competitor had to spend a further two minutes with each member of the judging panel, who took on the roles of the customer, supplier, banker, family and friends.
All of the women who took part had to come up with a business idea, stating how they would use £500 to take their idea further. On the day, they had to convince the judges who included Nicola Gleave from the Liverpool Business Centre, Amanda Smith and Claire Pederson from the Prince's Trust, Helen Tasker from Barclays Bank, Paul Rittenburg from Business Link and members of staff from the Train 2000 team.
Maggie O'Carroll, Train 2000's Executive Director, said:
"Once again the Elevator Pitch was a huge success, everyone who took part had really interesting and innovative business ideas.
The Elevator Pitch was a real fun, lively event, but it also served another purpose and that was to encourage more and more women to consider self-employment."
The five lucky winners of the Elevator Pitch were each presented with their £500 prizes at St George's Hall in the evening as part of Train 2000's A Celebration of Women of Women Event, which attracted 1,000 people.
One of the Elevator Pitch winners, Stephanie Swain who has set up her own business to help people overcome their fear of flying, said:
"It was a wonderful event and it was really inspirational to see so many women with such interesting business ideas."
Winner Maureen Fitzsimmons, who is set to start up her own business selling organic compost, added:
"I was really surprised when I found out that I had won, the standard of entries was so high, that I couldn't believe it.
Winning gave me a real boost and I was really impressed with all the help and support I was given by Train 2000."
Other winners of the Elevator Pitch were;
- Laura Naylor, of Liverpool, who designs and makes contemporary giftware and jewellery.
- Lesley Potter, of Aigburth, Liverpool who is looking to open an educational and fun play area for children age 0-12 years.
- Rebecca Gouldson, of Liverpool, who produces sculpture, silverware and wall pieces.
All photographs were taken by Leila Romaya, one of the winners of the 2004 Elevator Pitch.