Inspiring stories from local business owners made an impact on participants in the King’s Trust Aotearoa workshop for young entrepreneurs in Ashburton last week.

They heard from engineer and artist Fraser Bailey, merino clothing sales and marketing director Harriet Bell and contractor Andrew Quigley, about how they started out in business, and the ups and downs along the way.

The trust runs entrepreneurial workshops all around New Zealand and the Ashburton event was one of two in the South Island. It was aimed at young people interested in starting their own business, with tips about mentorship and networking.

Tash Pupuke and Victoria Pupuke were among the 10 participants at the two-day workshop and said they were leaving feeling inspired.

They said the guest speakers’ life stories and honesty about their journeys had resonated with them, and they had “walked the talk”.

Tash said they were also departing with a lot of good information, about systems and process, and about the value of having a mentor.

The King’s Trust workshop was hosted at the Ashburton District Council by the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs co-ordinator Sharon Watson.

Mayor Liz McMillan said the taskforce was a nationwide organisation backed by rural and provincial mayors, all committed to helping young people into jobs or training.

“Or in this case, having a good idea and starting their own business. Workshops like these help reinforce self-belief and provide lots of great information and inspiration.”