BEST NEW YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
SPONSORED BY RACZ GROUP
AWARDS 2022
FINALIST
Ashleigh Hughff ( Ashes Lashes Training Academy )
Winner – Racz Group CEO Mike Racz presents the Best New Young Entrepreneur award to Stuart Coupland , managing director of Coupland Leather .
WINNER
Stuart Coupland ( Coupland Leather )
Making the “ worst wallet you ’ ve ever seen ” was hardly the most encouraging start to a new business .
But Stuart Coupland was determined to master his craft – and in less than three years , his top quality leather goods are in worldwide demand .
He explained : “ I effectively taught myself leathersmithing . I went on holiday , bought a watchstrap from a guy , came home , thought , ‘ I can make one of these ’, tried – and made the worst wallet you ’ ve ever seen .
“ I was in the fire service at the time so I gave up . But later , after I left the service , I had some free time so I tried the leather thing again and it just grew and grew .
“ Now all of a sudden , I ’ m into Alnwick Garden , Rockliffe Hall , all these different retailers , with people coming to me saying , ‘ Can we do this with you ?’.”
Osmotherley-based Stuart told how one Coupland Leather customer flew over from Iowa to pick up a bespoke bag worth more than £ 5,000 .
He added : “ We ’ re taking on some really big partnerships and working with some very established brands to make branded products for them under our style and my quality , but in their branding . All of a sudden , I ’ ve gone from a new business that makes a wallet or a belt to 50 , 60 , 70 items at a time .
“ We ’ re now a nationally recognised brand with people from all over the world getting in touch , asking for different commissions – I never thought that was going to happen .”
SPONSOR MESSAGE
Mike Racz , CEO of Racz Group , said : “ The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award was certainly a pleasure to present , as it is a subject close to my heart . Congratulations must go to all nominees and I look forward to watching their journeys unfold . And a huge ‘ well done ’ must go to the category winner , Stuart Coupland , of Coupland Leather .”
After taking a “ classic lash extension ” course eight years ago , Ashleigh “ fell in love with the art of lashes ” – and hasn ’ t looked back .
A first-class honours graduate in education studies , she has combined her main loves – lashing and education – to set up her own training academy , where she delivers high quality lash services courses .
Aiming to break down stereotypes about the lashing industry , she says : “ I want to showcase to my students that there are so many amazing opportunities within our industry and with the right guidance from me as an educator , I will dedicate my support to help develop their growth .”
FINALIST
Melissa Mullen ( Melissa Jane Floral )
In just two years , Melissa Jane Floral has become a well-known and popular choice for all floral occasions .
From her eco-friendly craft packaging to every petal being carefully selected for her bouquets , the time and dedication she gives to the business is inspiring . She ’ s an example to every young person to beat the stigma and follow your heart – even when your head has its doubts .
Starting from scratch in her old box bedroom in 2020 , she was only 20 and had £ 100 in her bank account . Now things have blossomed so much , she ’ s secured a mortgage on a new home with her partner and business is booming .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 125