Stephen Addison on how he turned his boxing hobby into a business
While in his third year of studying at London South Bank University (LSBU), BA (Hons) Business Administration graduate Stephen Addison was inspired to turn his part-time boxing hobby into a social enterprise called Box-Up Crime.
Box-Up Crime runs boxing training programmes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are at risk of expulsion from school.
Having discovered the Student Enterprise team during his final year at LSBU, he applied for the Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme and turned his idea a reality.
"The Student Enterprise team's on-going support in all aspects of Box-Up Crime from the organisation's business model to assisting with application forms has been invaluable," says Stephen, who applied to LSBU through clearing.
"Having access to a hot desk in the Clarence Centre has given me a dedicated space to run my business from and I've been part of a community of other people starting and running small businesses."
Through the Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme, he received mentoring, funding and office space at the Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation.
"I was also fortunate enough to have had a fantastic mentor, Dr Gloria Gordon – she is one of the most inspiring lecturers I have ever come across and her consistent guidance and encouragement has contributed to the success of Box-Up Crime," he says.
Stephen applied to LSBU through Clearing and has since gone on to win the LSBU Make It Happen competition and be a finalist in Teach First's Innovation Awards.