Manchester Entrepreneurs Society

Kate Bullivant meets Fahim Sachedina, the president of Manchester Entrepreneurs, to find out more about the society, what they do and more importantly what they can help you to do.

Manchester Entrepreneurs (ME) was set up in 2008 and is now one of the biggest societies at the University of Manchester with over 3,500 people on their mailing list and 50 to 100 active members contributing and taking part every week.

ME’s main aim is to support enterprise and entrepreneurship on campus by supporting ideas, skills and offering help, advice and funding for whatever stage you are at. Through working closely with Manchester Enterprise Centre and with sponsors such as Accenture and RBS, they aim to point aspiring entrepreneurs in the right direction. ME is the key hub for enterprise on campus as they can offer advice, skills workshops, business plans, market research, branding, funding and contacts, all providing a platform for your ideas and skills.

ME meet every Tuesday at 6pm at the Manchester Business School on Booth Street West. During these meetings they provide workshops and host talks by successful entrepreneurs about their business and their journey towards success, offering advice from different perspectives and experience. A lot can be learnt in one hour.

Fahim explains: “University is the best time and place to set up a business as there is absolutely no risk, if you fail then you are in the same position you always were. There’s nothing to lose as it can be done cheaply and efficiently, especially due to the advances in technology and the opportunities the internet can offer. ME is a great place to gain experience and skills which at this point is often more valuable than money. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Joining ME is completely free of charge and as well as helping you along with a career in entrepreneurship, it is also a lot of fun. They hold regular socials and part-own a club night called Runway at Sakura in Deansgate.

ME have already had successes in the past, including PieBoy clothing, which you may have seen around campus selling University merchandise such as beanie hats. PieBoy clothing is now run by the ex-president of ME and they supply four of the biggest UK universities and are a partner of NUS supplier.

ME aim to empower students through entrepreneurship, get them out of their comfort zone by learning as much as they can, utilising their skills and earning money at the same time.

“Anything you are stuck on you can come to us; we’re a bunch of like-minded people with experience that can help you on your way.”

Find out more at  www.manchesterentrepreneurs.org.uk