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Ellie’s graduation into business

A wartime nickname given to Ellie Fox’s grandma provided the inspiration for the º£½ÇÖ±²¥ graduate’s fledgling business.

Ellie, who graduated in 2012 from the BA (Hons) Television and Film Production, has launched clothing boutique Ticky Turner based in The Emporium in Middlesbrough’s Mall shopping centre. Her grandma Ivy was given the nickname Ticky as her seamstress mother had made her a dress from material similar to the striped ‘ticking’ fabric traditionally used to cover mattresses.

Ellie, 22, said: 'I used to make clothes with my grandma, who sadly died a few years ago. After graduating I was keen to set up my own business while also drawing on what I learned from the degree.

'º£½ÇÖ±²¥ lecturer Mick Stockton really got us to think about life after graduation and gave us some great help and advice in how to write a business plan, which really helped me in terms of pitching my business idea.'

Ellie was able to put what she had learned into practice by grasping an opportunity for an ‘elevator pitch’ by literally jumping in a lift alongside representatives from Virgin Money and Project North East who were visiting º£½ÇÖ±²¥. Impressed by her impromptu pitch, they suggested she apply for funding support.

She went on to become one of the region's first recipients of a Start-Up Loan, delivered through a scheme to help young entrepreneurs. The scheme in the North East and Cumbria is supported by a consortium, including Virgin Money, Virgin Unite, the Northern Rock Foundation with Project North East, who are the delivery partner responsible for making and administering the loan.

While completing the degree at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Ellie was among a group of young entrepreneurs from across the country invited to take part in a live video link-up with Virgin boss Richard Branson.

Ellie said: 'It was amazing to receive Start-Up Loan funding, which helped me to secure the premises in the Emporium. The help and support I’d received from Mick Stockton while at the University also helped to give me the drive and confidence to follow through my plans to set up in business.'

She decided to study at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ after seeing a television advert for the University, adding: 'I knew nothing about Middlesbrough before I came, but I was really impressed with the town and location of the campus, with everything in walking distance.

'What I enjoyed most about the degree was the level of help and understanding we received from our lecturers, who all have experience of working in the industry which is vital.'

Ellie, who is originally from Lincoln, added: 'I’m continuing to use what I learned from my degree by creating a blog and website for the business, which also features promotional films. 'I’d describe my business as quirky, with a vintage element and I’m pricing everything with students in mind, to provide affordable fashion.'

As well as buying in some stock, Ellie designs and makes clothes to sell in her shop and also works with a bespoke corset maker. She also offers a service customising shoes, adding: 'I’ve done everything from cartoons to football club designs. It’s really personal and enables someone to recycle a pair of shoes to create a totally bespoke new pair.'

Mick Stockton, Principal Lecturer in Business Engagement in º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s School of Arts & Media, said: 'Helping students achieve the very best is at the heart of what we do at º£½ÇÖ±²¥. We have a strong focus on entrepreneurship throughout the University, and we do all we can to support driven, creative, business minded graduates like Ellie, and help them to become the employers of tomorrow.'

Other º£½ÇÖ±²¥ graduates turned entrepreneurs also to receive Start-Up Loan funding include animation and graphics business Bloom Studio, founded by Martin Davies and Albin Nilsen and film production company Thousand Yard Films, set up by Luke Statter and Sam Driver.

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