Teresa’s ‘Blooming’ good business idea lands £1,000 prize

A ‘blooming’ good idea has helped an Omagh woman land the top prize of £1,000 at this year’s FSB/Colleges NI ‘Future Students of Business’ Awards.

Teresa Meenan, who studies at the South West College, beat off stiff competition from across Northern Ireland after wowing the judges with her Planting Beds business which creates bespoke raised flower beds. The BTEC HND Business student is already hard at work setting up her second business which will sell monitor and alarm systems for the elderly and sufferers of Alzheimer’s.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry presented the joint Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Colleges Northern Ireland awards to eighteen of Northern Ireland’s top business students and the overall winner.

Held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, the prestigious competition, which is now in its eighth year, celebrates the cream of business talent from Northern Ireland’s six regional Colleges and offers them an unrivalled platform to develop their skills and have them recognised by their peers and the public.

Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry MLA said: “I congratulate both Colleges Northern Ireland and the Federation of Small Businesses for this initiative which demonstrates the value my Department and the Executive places on dynamic, enterprising individuals. Entrepreneurship has long been recognised as important in driving economic growth - it is one of the key driving forces for innovation and productivity growth. The Further Education sector is pivotal to this process - all six colleges are fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst their students, providing opportunities for them to put their ideas into practice.”

The FSB Chair John Friel added: “As the economy continues to go through a period of major uncertainty, the FSB is adamant that education, entrepreneurial insight and innovation are crucial to recovery. Over the last eight years the FSB has forged a close relationship with our partners at Colleges NI and we have been delighted at the wealth and volume of up-and-coming business brains attending these institutions.

“It is these individuals and their drive to succeed that will help to ensure Northern Ireland makes a strong economic recovery and continues to be an attractive prospect for investors for years to come.

“The FSB is fully aware of the important link between education and the economy. We will continue to highlight the value of our local Colleges, their positive contribution to innovation and entrepreneurship and their commitment to business and the wider economy.”

Colleges NI Chief Executive, Gerry Campbell concluded: “These awards are a testament to the excellent work across our Colleges that is fostering the spirit of enterprise and giving learners from many backgrounds the skills they need to become the successful entrepreneurs of tomorrow. It is also a reflection of the dedication, hard work and professionalism of our College lecturers.

“Colleges NI are delighted to work with the Federation of Small Businesses. We know that support for our SMEs is essential as we work our way out of recession and the FSB’s investment in Northern Ireland’s students and support for the colleges is an investment in the future of Northern Ireland.”